Without Walls was a BBC Channel 4 series that covered art, film and music between 1990 and 1996, and has mysteriously disappeared from history. By that I mean, it’s almost impossible to find a good source of information on this series, and even harder to find any of the programs it aired. But after some exhaustive searching, I came across this documentary, Doctor Martens: Sole of the Nation, which talks about the history of these British boots, and the role they have played in youth and music culture. Mods, Rockers, Skins, Punks, Hip Hoppers and weirdos of all kinds called Docs their own, and still do. It follows Docs through their life as anti-fashion to fashion pretending to anti-fashion. It shows their construction, their functionality as a work boot, their violent identity, their gender-bending and their unbearable hipness. My stepdaughter recently moved to New York, and I gave her my worn-in Docs for her first real winter – she wears them every day. These boots have been in and out of my life since the early 90s, and I have watched them transition from underground to mass many times in the subsequent years. I can say that I am a true fan – despite the many associations Docs have had over the years, they are always going to have a place on my feet. After the jump, check out Doctor Martens: Sole of the Nation…and stay tuned for more Without Walls episodes, if I can find them…
Doctor Martens: Sole of the Nation Part 1
Doctor Martens: Sole of the Nation Part 2
Doctor Martens: Sole of the Nation Part 3
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