Dio: Dreamers Never Die

This documentary, directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton, follows Ronnie James Dio's career from beginning to end: from a young musician singing doo-wop in the fifties to one of heavy metal's most recognisable voices through Rainbow, Black Sabbath and his own band, Dio. The most interesting stretch is the Black Sabbath period. Replacing Ozzy Osbourne meant managing the reaction of both the band and the fans, and the film handles that transition in detail without softening the tension in the relationships. Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward all speak, and Wendy Dio, his wife and manager, carries much of the narration. That closeness keeps the critical distance narrow, though the film does not conceal the breaks in the career. Who it's for: those interested in the history of heavy metal and in musician biographies. Who it's not for: viewers new to the genre; the documentary largely assumes you know the band names and the album chronology.