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The Ballad of Judas Priest

Berlinale Special Midnight 2026
© Paul Natkin via Cache Agency
This documentary follows heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest and their half-century journey from working-class origins in England’s industrial “Black Country” to their recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The film dives deep into vocalist Rob Halford’s long struggle as a closeted gay man in heavy metal, and explores the “culture war” surrounding the band’s controversial, high-profile trial during the Satanic panic of the 1980s. Featuring exclusive band interviews, appearances by Jack Black, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Run-DMC, Billy Corgan and other celebrity musicians, as well as an abundance of previously unpublished personal archive, the film captures how Judas Priest defined the sound and look of metal, and also made it more inclusive. Sexuality, censorship, community – The Ballad of Judas Priest speaks directly to our current moment.
by Sam Dunn (Director), Tom Morello (Director)
with Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Scott Travis, Richie Faulkner, Tom Morello, Jack Black, Darryl McDaniels, Dave Grohl, Lzzy Hale, Billy Corgan, Scott Ian, Kirk Hammett, Ozzy Osbourne, Ray Brown, Sue Halford, Jayne Andrews, Bill Peterson, Bill Curbishley, Andy Sneap, Tom Allom USA 2026 English 98' Colour World premiere | Documentary form

With

  • Rob Halford
  • K.K. Downing
  • Glenn Tipton
  • Ian Hill
  • Scott Travis
  • Richie Faulkner
  • Tom Morello
  • Jack Black
  • Darryl McDaniels
  • Dave Grohl
  • Lzzy Hale
  • Billy Corgan
  • Scott Ian
  • Kirk Hammett
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Ray Brown
  • Sue Halford
  • Jayne Andrews
  • Bill Peterson
  • Bill Curbishley
  • Andy Sneap
  • Tom Allom

Crew

Directors Sam Dunn, Tom Morello
Cinematography Martin Hawkes
Editing Nick Taylor, Dave McMahon
Music Ramachandra Borcar
Sound Design Lou Solakofski
Art Director Derek Tokar
Producers Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen

Produced by

Banger Films

Toronto, Canada

World Sales

Sony Music Vision

New York, NY, USA

Photos

Press Conference

Sam Dunn

© Christina Gapic

The director and producer is the co-founder of Banger Films, a production company he has developed into a global leader in music and documentary storytelling. Following Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, he has made films including the Grammy-nominated Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage and series such as Metal Evolution and the Emmy-winning Hip-Hop Evolution. He also produced the documentary Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story which premiered at SXSW in 2024.

Filmography (selection)

2005 Metal: A Headbanger's Journey; co-directed by Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise 2008 Global Metal; co-directed by Scot McFadyen 2009 Iron Maiden: Flight 666; co-directed by Scot McFadyen 2010 Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage; co-directed by Scot McFadyen 2011 Metal Evolution; co-directed by Scot McFadyen, TV series 2014 Super Duper Alice Cooper; co-directed by Scot McFadyen, Reginald Harkema 2016 Hip-Hop Evolution (Season One); co-directed by Darby Wheeler, Scot McFadyen, TV series 2019 ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band From Texas 2021 Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine; co-directed by Marc Ricciardelli 2023 Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Too?; TV series 2026 The Ballad of Judas Priest; co-directed by Tom Morello

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026

Tom Morello

© Travis Shinn

The musician, songwriter and activist is best known as the guitarist for the bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. He played guitar for six years in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and performs solo as The Nightwatchman. He is politically active and frequently participates in strikes and protests. He is also involved in musical and social education projects, and hosts the radio show “One Man Revolution” on SiriusXM.

Filmography

2026 The Ballad of Judas Priest; co-directed by Sam Dunn

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026