A new crowdfunded documentary, The Commodore 64: The Birth of a Cultural Icon, is currently in pre-launch on Kickstarter, inviting fans to register for updates ahead of its full campaign launch.
The film focuses on the history and cultural impact of the Commodore 64, the home computer launched in 1982 that went on to become one of the most successful and influential machines of the 1980s.
What the film will cover
The documentary aims to chart the full story of the Commodore 64, from its creation and commercial success to its lasting influence on gaming, music and home computing. Based on early descriptions, the film will:
- Explore how and why the C64 became so widely adopted
- Feature interviews with people involved in its design, promotion and software
- Include developers, musicians and long-time users
- Use a mix of new interviews, archive material and gameplay footage
The goal is to document not just the hardware, but the community and creativity that grew around it.
A familiar team for retro fans
The project comes from Gracious Films, the same team behind documentaries such as From Bedrooms to Billions and The Rubber Keyed Wonder. Their previous work has focused on British and European computing and gaming history, using long-form interviews and deep research rather than quick nostalgia hits.
This new project shifts the spotlight firmly onto Commodore’s most famous machine.
Why this one matters to me
I’ve owned my Commodore 64 since 1984 — the same one, still going. I’ve recovered data from old disks and tapes, and I still get a kick out of seeing those files come back to life decades later.
The C64 wasn’t just a games machine for me. It was everything:
- Gaming, obviously
- Programming
- Writing
- Drawing and messing around with graphics
- Even pulling games apart with the Action Replay cartridge to see how they worked
It was my main computer through most of the 1980s, and I was still actively using it into the 1990s. If I wanted to do something creative, technical or just fun, that’s the machine I turned on.
So when a serious, long-form documentary about the Commodore 64 appears — made by a team that actually takes this history seriously — it’s hard not to be excited. This isn’t just another retro project. It’s about a machine that shaped how a lot of us learned to think about computers in the first place.
What happens next
Right now, the Kickstarter page is in pre-launch mode, meaning you can sign up to be notified when the campaign goes live.
I recommend you do this. Full details on pricing, rewards and release timing haven’t been revealed yet.
Based on past projects from the same team, backers can likely expect options ranging from digital copies to physical releases and on-screen credits.
For anyone who grew up with a Commodore 64 — or anyone curious about how home computing really took off — this is one documentary worth keeping an eye on.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
