George Orwell may have predicted that in 1984 the world would be a colorless place where humans relentlessly bowed down to Big Brother, but in 1984 Riding Into Hell we find a much different world than the one he’d painted. The year is examined by taking a closer look at the insanity of the rock and roll scene of the time, the optimism/pessimism of world news and politics, the simple fun of celebrities and pop culture, and the ascension of technology.

See the introduction of a famous computer brand that becomes the catalyst of a technological renaissance. Hear about a Beatle’s famous drug bust and the personal opinion of the violator about controlled substances. Revisit television commercials and take a quick peek at network programming. Check out the latest and greatest in movies and gaming. See who the budding stars were at the time, and who married whom. Find out which airline got its start that year, and hear reviews of the albums that were released. We’ll follow the 1984 Presidential campaigns as well as the Cold War strife with Russia. Finally, we digest the tragedies that occurred in the world along with the ones that resulted from the rock and roll lifestyle.

Woven into the fabric of the film is the story of a promising metal band called Forcer, whose music was stellar (fortunately preserved in priceless 1984 video footage from their shows and after parties). Follow the woes of their manager as he negotiates with record companies to get them signed to a record deal, while he’s simultaneously plunging into the abyss of barbaric behavior with his friends.