Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm is a 2020 documentary film that takes a deep dive into the history of Rockfield Studios, the world-renowned music recording studio located on a farm in the Welsh countryside. The film is directed by Hannah Berryman and features interviews with musicians who have recorded at Rockfield, as well as with the Ward family, who have owned and operated the studio since its inception in the early 1960s.
The film begins with an introduction to the Ward family and the history of the Rockfield farm. The family traces its roots back to the 1800s, when they first moved to the area and began farming the land. The film explains how the Wards later opened up the farm for rock musicians to record their music in a unique and creative environment. The idea was simple: with no distractions, musicians could focus solely on making great music.
Over the years, Rockfield became a go-to destination for some of the biggest names in rock music, from Queen and Black Sabbath to Oasis and Coldplay. The film explores the creative process behind many of these legendary recordings, taking viewers behind the scenes of classic albums such as Queen's A Night at the Opera and Oasis's (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
One of the most fascinating aspects of this film is the rare archival footage interspersed throughout. We see early footage of Queen recording at Rockfield, as well as candid moments with other musicians, including a young Liam Gallagher. One particularly memorable sequence shows a group of musicians recording in the studio's famous barn, with cows mooing in the background.
Throughout the film, the Wards themselves are a key focus. Brothers Kingsley and Charles, who currently run the studio, are interviewed extensively about their experience working with musicians over the years. They recount the many wild parties and pranks that occurred on the farm, as well as the day-to-day challenges of running a successful recording studio.
Ann Ward, the matriarch of the family, also features prominently in the film. She is interviewed about the early days of Rockfield, when musicians would stay with the family in their farmhouse and she would cook them meals. Her memories provide a warm and personal touch to the film, and it's clear that the Wards have always made musicians feel like part of the family.
One unexpected highlight of this film is the music itself. Throughout the documentary, we are treated to snippets of classic songs recorded at Rockfield, from Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" to Oasis's "Wonderwall." These musical interludes provide a fitting backdrop to the stories and memories shared by the musicians and the Wards.
Overall, Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm is an engaging and nostalgic look at one of the most important recording studios in rock history. The film strikes a nice balance between informative and entertaining, and it's easy to get lost in the stories of the musicians and the Wards. Whether you're a die-hard rock fan or just curious about the music-making process, this documentary is not to be missed.
Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm is a 2020 documentary.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.
