Judas Priest Documentary ‘The Ballad Of Judas Priest’ Set For World Premiere At Berlin International Film Festival
Judas Priest official documentary ‘The Ballad Of Judas Priest’ will premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, exploring the band’s 50-year legacy.
The “Berlin International Film Festival” will host the world premiere of “The Ballad Of Judas Priest,” an official new documentary detailing the remarkable career and cultural legacy of British heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest. The film will debut during the festival’s 76th edition, taking place February 12–22.
One of the most prominent film events on the global calendar, the Berlinale attracts tens of thousands of attendees each year and serves as a major hub for filmmakers, industry professionals, and international media. Founded in 1951 during the early Cold War era as a “showcase of the free world,” the festival has since developed into a leading platform for artistic exploration, political discourse, and cross-cultural exchange, earning its reputation as the most politically engaged of the world’s major film festivals.
“The Ballad Of Judas Priest” is co-directed by renowned documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn and Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, marking Morello’s directorial debut. The film traces Judas Priest’ rise from their working-class roots in Birmingham, England, to their status as global heavy metal icons whose influence extends far beyond the genre.
The documentary features landmark songs such as “Breaking The Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’“, while exploring how the band helped define both the sound and the visual identity of heavy metal. Spanning more than five decades, the film captures the passion, perseverance, and creative force behind a band whose story continues to resonate with generations of fans.
Dunn commented on the announcement, saying:“Super proud to announce that our Judas Priest doc ‘The Ballad Of Judas Priest‘ will premiere at Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival this February. Beyond excited for all our German metalheads to get the first look.”
Since emerging in the 1970s, Judas Priest has been widely credited as one of the architects of heavy metal. The band has sold over 50 million records worldwide and released 19 studio albums. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Their 2024 release Invincible Shield made history by becoming the first heavy metal album issued by a band with studio releases spanning 50 years, and it earned a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. Later this year, Judas Priest will join Alice Cooper for a co-headlining tour across 22 North American cities.
Reflecting on the documentary, the band said:
“We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way…the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”
Morello and Dunn elaborated on the scope of the project, stating:
“While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre, there is so much more to their story. Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.”
The documentary is produced by Banger Films and directed by Sam Dunn and Tom Morello, with Dunn and Scot McFadyen serving as producers. Executive producers include Tom Morello, Rick Krim, Sheila Stepanek, and Jayne Andrews. Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener, and Abby Davis serve as executive producers for Sony Music Vision, while Sylvia Rhone represents Epic Records. The film is presented and distributed by Sony Music Vision.