Watch Mad Marc Rude: Blood, Ink & Needles

Mad Marc Rude: Blood, Ink & Needles is a documentary film that was released in 2014. Produced by filmmaker Carl Schneider, the movie follows the life and career of the late American artist Marc Rude, who was known for his unique, cartoonish artwork and his pioneering role in the punk rock scene of Los Angeles in the 1980s. The documentary is a comprehensive exploration of Rude's life, from his early days growing up in a working-class family in Colorado, to his formative years as a young artist in the punk rock scene of Los Angeles, to his eventual death due to a heart attack in 1993. Through a series of interviews with Rude's friends, colleagues, and family members, as well as extensive archival footage, the film provides a detailed portrait of a complex and fascinating figure in American art.

At the heart of Mad Marc Rude is Rude's artwork itself, and the film explores in depth the key themes and motifs that characterized his work. Inspired by comic books, pulp novels, and horror films, Rude's art was often raw, abrasive, and visually striking, with an emphasis on bold, vivid colors and exaggerated figures. He was also a prolific tattoo artist, and many of his clients - including such luminaries as Henry Rollins and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols - appear in the film to discuss their experiences of being tattooed by Rude.

The film also explores Rude's role in the punk rock scene of Los Angeles in the 1980s, a time of great artistic ferment and experimentation. Rude was closely involved with such legendary punk bands as the Circle Jerks, Fear, and Black Flag, creating album covers, logos, and stage sets for their shows. He was also a frequent collaborator with punk rock iconoclasts like Pleasant Gehman and Anthony Ausgang, who appear in the film to provide their own perspectives on Rude's impact and legacy.

Throughout the film, the filmmakers pay tribute to Rude's unconventional and fiercely independent spirit. Rude was a self-taught artist who eschewed the traditional art world and devoted himself entirely to his own idiosyncratic vision. He was often controversial, both for the content of his artwork - much of which was overtly sexual and violent - and for his personal behavior, which could be erratic and confrontational. Yet his artwork and his influence on the punk rock scene of his era were undeniably significant, and the film celebrates his enduring legacy.

Ultimately, Mad Marc Rude: Blood, Ink & Needles is a vivid and engaging portrait of a unique and dynamic artist. Through its use of interviews, archival footage, and Rude's own artwork, the film offers a lively and informative window onto an important era in American art and culture. It is a must-see for anyone interested in punk rock, tattoo art, or outsider art more generally, as well as for fans of Rude's unique and iconic artwork.

Mad Marc Rude: Blood, Ink & Needles is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.