Depeche Mode: 1983 “Teenagers Growing Up, Bad Government… and All That Stuff.”

The film follows Depeche Mode as they move through a pivotal year, when Alan Wilder is officially part of the group and the band begins to shape a tougher, more experimental sound. Rather than a straight chronological biography, the documentary strings together studio footage, interviews and live clips to show how they tested sampling and new production ideas while preparing the third album, Construction Time Again. You get rehearsals, conversations about equipment and approach, and moments that reveal how a young band pushed against pop expectations without giving away any later surprises.

Released in 2006, the documentary concentrates on the 1983 era around Construction Time Again, assembling archival material and on-camera reflections from Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher and Alan Wilder to recreate that creative period.

The film captures a formative moment for synth-pop and electronic music, showing experimentation that would influence many acts that followed. For fans it offers a compact record of the band's transition from pop singles toward more textured, politically aware songs. The footage and candid teamwork scenes have been used by listeners and writers when tracing Depeche Mode's early influence.

Audience response has been positive among devotees and music history buffs, reflected in its strong user rating, 8.5/10 from the available votes. Critics and viewers who appreciate technical detail praise the way the movie foregrounds sampling and studio technique, while also touching on themes of youthful restlessness, political friction in early 80s Britain, and creative collaboration within a band.

The documentary had a small, targeted release rather than a wide commercial run, screening at select festivals and circulating on home video and specialized music channels. It wasn't a mainstream box office presence, but it found an audience among collectors, DJs and dedicated fans looking for a focused snapshot of Depeche Mode at a turning point.