Watch Man in the Camo Jacket

Man in the Camo Jacket is a music documentary that tells the inspiring and heartfelt story of Mike Peters, the lead singer of the Welsh rock band The Alarm. The film is directed by Russ Kendall and features a myriad of interviews from the music industry's brightest stars, including Fred Armisen, Richard Blade, and Billy Bragg, among others. Man in the Camo Jacket takes the viewer through the turbulent journey of a lead singer and songwriter who struggled with a rare form of cancer but never lost his spirit and love for music.

The documentary opens with Peters, who was diagnosed with leukemia, on a hospital bed. He is seen getting his chemotherapy sessions and the hair on his head falling off. However, Peters is not discouraged by his diagnosis. Instead, his illness galvanizes him, giving him new-purpose—to make music and saving lives. He decides to form a new version of his band, The Alarm, in 2004 with young musicians and begins touring across the United States.

The film takes us on the long journey of Peters and his band as they travel across the United States and Wales, playing to small crowds and big concerts. We see Mike carry on his message of hope and positivity, using his music to inspire people battling cancer and to fight for a cure. Even with the various setbacks the band experienced, such as bankruptcy, Peters managed to rebuild his career and toured through the US and Europe, inspiring thousands of fans along the way.

We learn about the origins of The Alarm, Peters’s band for over several decades, and the tight-knit friendship between Peters and his bandmates. The film gives us a peek into the early days of Peters's career when the band was at its peak in the 1980s, generating comparisons to fellow rockers of that era such as U2, The Clash, and The Jam. It features old footage of the band performing live, playing music like "68 Guns," "Rain in the Summertime," and "Blaze of Glory" that remind fans of an artiste and his music that never played to the mainstream.

The film also delves into Peters’s complicated personal life, including his relationship with Jules Jones, whom he met while battling cancer. Peters wrote a love song for her, which touches Jones's heart and the people around the world. The documentary does an excellent job of showing Peters’s transition from the hard-partying lead singer of The Alarm to a responsible family man and passionate musician. We see Peters’s two sons growing up and making music of their own, following in their father's footsteps, and continuing his band's legacy.

Man in the Camo Jacket is not only a documentary about a talented musician and his band's musical journey. It is also a story of survival, strength, and the power of the human spirit. The film is a celebration of life, love, and the impact that music can have on our lives. We see Peters's story and how he battled cancer, relapsed but never gave up on his goals, making him an inspiration to others who might be battling cancer themselves.

The documentary features interviews with several famous musicians who praise Peters and his message of hope, including Fred Armisen, Richard Blade, and Billy Bragg. The movie shows how Peters used his music and fame to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, using his platform to make a difference. In additional scenes, the documentary focuses on a charity concert, where Peters and other musicians playing unite for cancer research, and how it kept growing since 2014 every year with 45 musicians joining the lineup to raising nearly $1 Million to date.

In conclusion, Man in the Camo Jacket tells an inspiring and heartfelt story of Mike Peters and his unwavering love for music. The documentary takes the viewer on a journey through Peters's musical career, his battles with cancer, his family life, and his transition from rock star to role model. With its eye-opening commentary, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, Man in the Camo Jacket is a must-watch for anyone who loves music, believes in the power of human spirit, and who wants to be reminded that anything is possible.

Man in the Camo Jacket is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.