WALKING ON THE MOON
THE POLICE Around the World : Restored & Expanded ( Mercury Studios / Universal )
“ It ’ s time for the number one band of the 1980 ’ s ,” bellows manager and hype man Miles Copeland on the cusp of the decade as the Police take the stage on a Japanese date during the band ’ s inaugural world tour . If the statement wasn ’ t true at that moment , it soon would be . Tours , stunts , and shenanigans like the ones captured in this film would help catapult the trio of bassist Sting , drummer Stewart Copeland , and guitarist Andy Summers to the top of the charts and global acclaim .
The trio does its utmost to absorb the opportunity to hold the keys to the world . The 65- minute film is intercut with candid 8mm footage
By Jeff Elbel
taken by Copeland and others , including breathtaking images of Mt . Fuji from a speeding train . Summers documents native culture and artwork with his still camera . The three musicians sample local delicacies with bravery and curiosity . But it ’ s a constant pressure cooker of activity , proximity , and attention , and there ’ s no mistaking the wear and tear that ’ s gradually written onto the band members ’ faces . It ’ s the major factor in the band ’ s relatively short career , comprising just five increasingly accomplished and successful records culminating in the worldwide smash Synchronicity and its # 1 single “ Every Breath You Take .” This footage was captured during the band ’ s early ascension , culminating with performances of material from the third album Zenyatta Mondatta .
Against the backdrop of the performance of “ Walking on the Moon ” with a jumpsuited Sting on fretless bass , the diminutive Summers undertakes a traditional sumo wrestling match in Japan . “ The bigger they come , the harder they fall ,” he says , preceding an underdog scenario reminiscent of Bugs Bunny . Meanwhile , on stage , rushing fans manage to evade security and embrace their heroes , bringing the show to a standstill .
Next on the itinerary is China and the bustle of Hong Kong , featuring a performance of “ Born in the 50s .” Sting takes a comically perilous rickshaw ride in heavy traffic . The trio films a video for “ So Lonely ” on Hong King streets and public transportation . Sting sings into a walkie-talkie , Copeland drums his way through the city using a pair of chopsticks , and Summers takes a midtown solo wearing a ridiculous blue suit freshly assembled by confused local tailors to include zippers in all the wrong places . At this point , the Police were clearly still amused by their circumstances , making the best of things and not taking themselves too seriously . There are no scenes of brawls or arguments . “ Man in a Suitcase ” provides a soundtrack for the transition to Australia , where some young fans estimate their music have traveled at least 20 miles to attend the band ’ s concert . The band records a video for “ Next to You ” in a sheep pen . Summers tried his hand at sitar in India , with Sting on tamboura and Copeland on tabla . The band experiences culture shock amid crowds , street vendors , and snake charmers . The band and manager meet the women ’ s group from the Time & Talents Club charity group who promoted the Indian concert and find that it ’ s nothing like Western showbiz . “ I ’ m flabbergasted ,” says Sting of the shoestring operation . The band performs “ I Can ’ t Stand Losing You ” to a rowdy crowd in Bombay that must surely exceed expected capacity , with Summers ’ crystalline chords ringing above the fray . Next , the band jets to an unprecedented and chaotic engagement in Cairo , Egypt , plagued by problems with customs and crowd control . The trio gets a spectacular photo opportunity , however , astride horses and camels in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza . The concert happens and looks good on film , but tellingly , there is no live audio . Greece is more sanguine by comparison , with time for more gorgeous scenery to capture with Summers ’ and Copeland ’ s cameras . “ Voices Inside My Head ” serves as the local soundtrack .
The band then journeys to South America , filming a video for “ When the World Is Running Down , You Make the Best of What ’ s Still Around ” on Copacabana Beach ( looking a bit haggard from the pace ) and also performing the song on stage , propelled by Copeland ’ s frenetic thunder at the drum set . The band performs a haunting and ethereal “ Shadows in the Rain ” while additional footage shows the band dressed as gauchos on horseback . The riveting interplay of the concert performance is undercut by the first sign of cracks among the seams - Copeland has duct-taped obscenities to his drum heads , visible on film as he plays intricate and intoxicating but punishing rhythms . The English / American band draws closer to home turf while playing “ Don ’ t Stand So Close to Me ” in France . A blistering “ Truth Hits Everybody ” is captured in the USA , spliced with scenes of Jools Holland holding mock interviews with the band . The band celebrates platinum success with a party and concert featuring all attendees in platinum blond wigs as the band performs “ Roxanne .” Sting catches a wig flung mid-song and gamely tries it atop his own blond mop . The film is a compelling time capsule of a preinternet world and less interconnected era than the one that exists today , in addition to an alien musical landscape from the bleach-blond days of the New Wave . The repercussions of the Police ’ s daring trip around the world continue to reverberate like the band ’ s adopted dub reggae beats . Summers ’ newly written liner notes further describe perilous encounters with the law and a level of hysteria not witnessed since the days of Beatlemania . A companion CD features 11 songs from the band ’ s first two albums , captured during live performances in Japan , England , and China .
12 illinoisentertainer . com august 2022