Documentary Offers Intimate Look at The Police

A new documentary film offers an inside perspective on The Police, from the stellar rock band’s formation, through its rise to fame, breakup and reunion.

No — the up-close perspective doesn’t come from Sting, the band’s famed bassist and primary songwriter who went on to forge a highly successful solo career – but from guitarist Andy Summers.

The movie, Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving the Police, is based on Summers’ 2006 memoir, One Train Later, and features Summers’ narration and photos of the band, along with, of course, plenty of music.

Director Andy Grieves admits that he wasn’t a huge fan of the band going into the project, but his appreciation grew as the film progressed. “There really hasn’t been a band like The Police before or since: the intricacy of sound these three guys were able to create together, merging genres and coming up with a totally new thing that really resonated with people. It is pure pop perfection in every way,” he said. “If I had to choose a favorite song, I’d probably have to go with ‘So Lonely,’…or ‘Message in a Bottle,’…or…there are too many great songs to choose from to choose one!” (By the way, “Message in a Bottle” is Summers’ favorite Police song, too.)

Here’s Summers on how the band started:

Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving The Police is available on DVD and Blu-ray.