This film follows quickly on the heels of Anton Corbijn's "Control" which essentially takes the real life story of the band and dramatises it - with exceptional results.

And while "Joy Division" may be dramatic, it is a documentary - and a damned fine one at that.

In place of Corbijn's stylised biopic, the viewer is treated to an hour and a half of interviews, quotes, still pictures and grainy footage from the late 1970s/early 1980s.

Most of the talking is done by Ian Curtis's band mates - Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Peter Hook - who take the story from the early beginnings of the Sex Pistols' gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall ("I think it was shite," reminisces Hook) to the inevitable news of Curtis's suicide and the formation of New Order.

However, legends of the UK music scene, such as the aforementioned Wilson, John Peel and Paul Morley are also given plenty of time to give their take on what exactly Joy Division meant.

Despite the inherent sadness of the story, there are enough stories shared about Curtis's life to raise a laugh (like when Hook explains Curtis got the job as singer because he phoned up and didn't sound mad) and plenty of live concert footage to keep even the most ardent fan happy.

There's also still an obvious emotional attachment to Curtis from some of the interviewees, particularly his girlfriend Annik Honore, who was still visibly upset almost 30 years after Curtis's demise.

What was particularly poignant was the way in which both the band members and Wilson explained they didn't really listen to Curtis's lyrics until it was too late ("It's just art.").

It's sad that it took the death of such a charismatic (and troubled) front-man to force people to look at the lyrics and see they spoke as much about the person who wrote them as they did about art.

The inclusion of a picture of Curtis's tomb, pictures of hand-written notes and lyrics, and even a hypnotherapy session ensures this documentary is the definitive story of Joy Division and, as such, should be owned by any music aficionado.

The one thing, for me, which was missing was Wilson's report from the walls of Chester when he announced Curtis had killed himself.

It was such a powerful part of "Control" that I'm left wondering whether it actually happened and was simply dramatic license on Corbijn's part, or if there was a genuine reason it wasn't shown.

Otherwise it's hard to find fault in director Grant Gee's piece.

The end, where Joy Division's greatest song "Atmosphere" is playing, is hauntingly beautiful and the juxtaposition of Old Manchester and New Manchester is striking.

It's almost amusing that the new haunts of the 1970s and 1980s, those that breathed new life into Manchester, have themselves become passe and look nothing like they did at the time.

Perhaps it's just an indication that another Joy Division is waiting to appear. Let's hope if they do, there's a happier ending.

If you haven't seen either film I suggest watching "Control" first because the story has obviously been altered to better fit the format - and may cause those who know the real story to curse the inaccuracies.

But both pictures bring something wonderful to the live and death of Ian Curtis and the impact Joy Division, the band, had on music and a city.

Have them as companion pieces - "Control" to put on when you want some drama, and "Joy Division" when you want to wallow in one of the greatest musical talents in history.

"Joy Division" is simply a DVD you must own.

"Joy Division" is rated M, Suitable for Mature Audiences 16 years and over.
The DVD contains the anamorphic widescreen cut of the film, an hour of additional clips, footage and outtakes, and is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound.