Product Details

• Format: NTSC, Dolby, Widescreen, Anamorphic, DVD, CD, Soundtrack
• Region: All Regions
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Gemini Production Group, Inc.
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0013KWQY4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,371 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Pack some heat and join biker/bluesman Big Mike Griffin on a wild road trip in this award winning documentary. For years, urban legends have warned about an isolated Southern town where the locals ran-off their police department and outsiders fear to tread. To Big Mike, Iron City seemed like the perfect subject for a blues song. But first, he must find out for himself if the legends are true. Join Big Mike and his guide, a cigar-chomping ex-Marine named Jason Neese, as they ride their Harleys through Tennessee's backwoods into a place that even cops fear. You'll meet a collection of unforgettable characters as you witness the creation of a blues song about the most notorious town in the South. Welcome to Iron City.... Watch your back. (2-Disc Set: Includes DVD plus Soundtrack CD. Makes a GREAT GIFT!)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS is Pure Backwoods Americana., March 17, 2008

By 

D. Grooms (Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Iron City Blues (2-Disc Set DVD & CD) (DVD)

I had been awaiting this documentary for several months. I grew up in a small town near Iron City, and used to spend a good deal of time in Iron City. This documentary done by blues artist Big Mike Griffin is a great telling of the legend, a great look at how the town is today, and it's also pretty entertaining. In some ways, it's a very sad documentary. Despite the mayor's (a guy I went to high school with) optimism, there's very little hope for the future of Iron City. I know there are good people in Iron City, but they are dwarfed by the number of law-hating hooligans that run the town. The crime and murder rates of Iron City appear to be as high as they ever were, and the town still can't seem to recruit anyone to become a police officer there. Big Mike's story here is an accurate telling of what was and what is. He didn't doctor it up to make it look any better or worse than what it really is. The only down side is that it is entirely too short. He could have two full hours easily. Of course, the meanest people of the town probably weren't interested in being on camera and talking about what they do. Still, I think Big Mike has set the stage for 'Iron City Blues II: Back to the Backwoods'.

If you're interested in the legend of Iron City, or if you just enjoy real-life stories from smalltown America, you will definitely enjoy Iron City Blues. Great job, Big Mike!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome To Iron City., March 16, 2008

By 

L. Dye - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Iron City Blues (2-Disc Set DVD & CD) (DVD)

As an all-around film lover, the story of a blues giant (there's a reason he's called Big Mike) on a motorcyclin' adventure into a lawless town for the simple purpose of musical inspiration really struck my interest. But did the film itself keep it?
It certainly did...and then some.
The 52-minute documentary follows Big Mike Griffin and his ex-marine buddy, Jason (brought in because, apparently, you never travel by yourself to the IC), to the small town where days in a year equal its population. We are told stories of old and recent from its townsfolk: run-ins and running out the law from town, bodies turning up in the city creek, uncle vs. nephew shootings over dope, and the popular area attraction: "Insurance Bluff." The film nicely captures stories from each generation, almost chronologically. We witness the younger generation's pastime of four-wheelers and suped-up lawn mowers, then move onto hearing the Mayor's (unbelievable) hopes for Iron City's future. But the two best storytellers are reserved for last, the former being the city's former Chief of Police. Listening to him speak of what the town's been through, you can see how much it pains him and you can't help but be intrigued. And then there's Monkey: the inspiring and intoxicated 73 year-old who has to be told through subtitles, yet is so quick-witted and optimistic, you can't help but love him.
At journey's end, Big Mike, taking everything he's learned from the hearts of Iron City, composes his tribute. His concert at the film's conclusion, with its wonderfully familiar audience, seals Iron City Blues for me as truly great documentary. Well shot, well told, well done.
With that said, I guess the only downside is I was left wanting more. But that's when you know you've seen something good. Luckily, the DVD has its fair share of bonuses: a Big Mike bio, newspaper clippings from the final days of law in Iron City, and my personal favorite...more Monkey moments. A soundtrack of the film, with some good ol' Big Mike blues, is also included with the DVD. It's a great drive mix.
So all in all, if you like story-driven documentaries, old-time blues music mixed with Harleys and necks with a nice hue of red, ICB is definitely choice.

2.0 out of 5 stars 'biker' music sort of ok.... but iron city so bad...lol!, August 13, 2011

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gypsy - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Iron City Blues (2-Disc Set DVD & CD) (DVD)

LOL some biker that writes songs? I brought this cause my son moved there last year for a few months.... while the town has it's wackos maybe the author is scared of the redneck/trailer trash mentality ? I live in new jersey ,urban explore abandoned buildings in newark ,paterson,camden... lol let them whimpies go there! you get a cd of songs which a few songs are sort of ok... the rest sort of all the same is it like singin blues or little girly cryin? and the dvd is a comedy of a drunk guy in the woods and an abandoned gas station taken on by two armed and dangerous bikers?
lol give me a break! anyway my son and i had a good laugh! maybe i should re-sell it on amazon? then i would have to say it's great? maybe i sould have obama's speech writers do it... lol well i'll never sink that low....