If you’re reading this, you’re probably familiar with Queen and Freddie Mercury. You might also know about the 2018 film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which tells Freddie’s life story and rise to fame.
The film won numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe for Best Picture in 2019. Rami Malek, who portrayed Freddie Mercury, received a Golden Globe, a Screen Actor’s Guild Award, an Academy Award for Best Actor, and a BAFTA for his outstanding performance. Below, you’ll find a clever video edit that pairs the original Queen performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert with the final scene of the 2018 movie.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a biographical film about Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, one of the most successful British rock bands. Directed by Bryan Singer and produced by Graham King and Queen manager Jim Beach, the film chronicles the band’s formation and journey up to their iconic Live Aid performance in 1985.
Rami Malek, the 37-year-old Oscar-winning actor, reportedly watched Queen’s original Live Aid performance on YouTube over 1,000 times to ensure he could replicate it perfectly in the film’s final scene. Malek said, “It felt like I had it in my bones.” Queen guitarist Brian May praised Malek’s performance as “flawless.”
Originally, Sacha Baron Cohen was set to play Freddie Mercury, but due to creative differences, he left the project in 2013. The film faced further delays before Rami Malek was cast as Freddie in November 2016. Despite more setbacks, including the firing of Bryan Singer and the replacement by Dexter Fletcher, the movie was finally released on October 24, 2018, in the UK, and November 2, 2018, in the USA, grossing $903.7 million.
The film stars Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Joseph Mazzello as John Deacon, Aidan Gillen as John Reid, Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, and Aaron McCusker as Jim Hutton. The cast’s performances contributed to the film becoming the highest-grossing musical biographical film of all time.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” has been analyzed and praised by fans and critics worldwide. From the script to the soundtrack, featuring Freddie Mercury impersonator Marc Martel, the film accurately portrays the lives of Queen’s members, including details like Freddie’s extra teeth, which contributed to his unique voice.
The film delves into Mercury’s musical ambitions and personal struggles, raising the question of how much happier he could have been if he had been able to live openly. The 1985 Live Aid performance, considered one of the greatest live performances, is given additional context by the film, showing Freddie’s life, musical development, friendships, solo career, and his relationship with Mary Austin.
In a 1985 interview, Mercury said, “The only friend I’ve got is Mary, and I don’t want anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that’s enough for me.”
The film offers clarity on the events leading up to the legendary performance, enhancing our understanding of what drove Queen to deliver one of the greatest rock performances ever.
Haven’t seen it yet? Watch the original full set of Queen’s Live Aid performance in 1985. It’s considered the greatest live performance ever and is sure to give you goosebumps, even if you haven’t watched the film. For Queen lovers, the movie is a dream come true, providing a glimpse into the events that led to this epic performance. Some might argue that the original Live Aid footage could have been used in the movie’s final scene, but the recreated scene adds context to the on- and off-stage events.