A cut above the average life-on-the-road-with-the-band film, ABBA: THE MOVIE emerged in 1977 at the height of the Swedish band`s enormous global fame. Shot in Australia by fellow Swede Lasse Hallstrom (CHOCOLAT, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES), the film is ostensibly designed to give viewers a glimpse at the off-stage life enjoyed by the members of Abba, as well as the on-stage euphoria of their live shows. But there is also a fictional plot neatly interwoven into the action, with Hallstom`s cameras following an Australian DJ named Austin (Robert Hughes), who tries to clinch an exclusive interview with the band as they tour his native country. This proves to be a problematic task, with the security surrounding Abba continually thwarting Austin as he attempts to get close to the elusive Swedish foursome. A great way to experience the frenzy that surrounded one of the biggest bands in the world during the 1970s, Hallstrom`s film affords some glorious screen time to the music of Abba, while also encompassing a look at the media circus which slavishly followed them around.
