‘Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition’ Review: A Galloping Look at Metal Pioneers
It is proving to be a landmark year for Iron Maiden. Beyond their long-overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and a massive two-day festival takeover at Knebworth, the east London metal icons have unveiled Burning Ambition, a highly anticipated documentary charting their storied career.
Marketed as a film “for the fans,” this 106-minute feature captures the band’s five-decade trajectory—from their gritty pub-circuit origins during the 1970s punk explosion to the scale of their current ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour. The narrative is woven together through the perspectives of band members, devoted followers, and high-profile admirers, including Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Chuck D of Public Enemy, and actor Javier Bardem.
Director Malcolm Venville provides a compelling analysis of what made the band so magnetic. It was never just about the music; it was the entire aesthetic, most notably their shape-shifting skeletal mascot, Eddie. As Chuck D astutely observes, the mascot served as a gateway for fans who were “drawn to the band without even knowing the music.” Interestingly, the film reveals that Eddie was originally conceived simply to avoid the band having to feature their own faces on album covers.
The documentary also captures the human friction that defined the band’s internal dynamics. The early tension between bassist Steve Harris and vocalist Bruce Dickinson is presented with a touch of Spinal Tap-esque humor, particularly when the two vied for stage dominance. Another standout sequence details the band’s 1984 journey to perform behind the Iron Curtain in Poland, where they recount how military police, initially present to intimidate the group, eventually surrendered to the music by tossing their hats onto the stage.
However, the film is not without its pacing issues. At times, Burning Ambition struggles to balance its ambition with its runtime, resulting in a narrative that feels rushed. Significant historical milestones—such as Dickinson’s 1993 departure and his 2014 cancer diagnosis—are glossed over, while the band’s late-80s golden era, including their legendary Monsters Of Rock performances, receives surprisingly little attention.
Ultimately, while the film serves as a moving and entertaining recap for the uninitiated, it leaves diehard fans wanting more. As Dickinson himself noted in a recent interview, the depth of the band’s history might have been better served by a documentary series rather than a single feature film. Nevertheless, it remains a vital document of one of heavy metal’s most enduring legacies.
Details
- Director: Malcolm Venville
- Release date: May 7 (in cinemas)
