Control is a 2007 biographical film about the life of Ian Curtis, singer of the late-1970s English post-punk band Joy Division.

The screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh, was based on the biography Touching from a Distance by Curtis's widow Deborah, who served as a co-producer on the film.

Curtis' bandmates Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris provided incidental music for the soundtrack via their post-Joy Division incarnation New Order.

Control was filmed partly on location in Nottingham, Manchester, and Macclesfield, including areas where Curtis lived, and was shot in colour and then printed to black-and-white.

The film also features Toby Kebbell as band manager Rob Gretton and Craig Parkinson as Tony Wilson.

[6] In 1975, Ian Curtis and Debbie Woodruff marry in their home town of Macclesfield, south of Manchester, England, at ages 19 and 18 respectively.

On 4 June 1976 they attend a Sex Pistols concert with Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Terry Mason, who are starting a band.

During his job as an employment agent, Ian witnesses his client Corinne Lewis suffering an epileptic seizure.

Unsatisfied with the brief mention Joy Division receives from television host Tony Wilson, Ian demands that he put the band on his programme.

In April 1978 Joy Division plays a battle of bands, impressing Tony and Rob Gretton, who becomes their new manager.

Ian admits to Belgian journalist Annik Honoré that he is miserable at home and considers his marriage a mistake.

The audience riots when Alan Hempstall of Crispy Ambulance steps in to cover for Ian and the gig is ruined.

On 17 May 1980, two nights before Joy Division is due to depart for America, Ian returns home and begs Debbie not to divorce him.

The news of Ian's death leaves the remaining Joy Division members stunned, while Tony consoles Annik.

As Ian's body is cremated, the group gather in a café with Gillian Gilbert, foreshadowing the future of the band.

[10] The film was shot on colour stock and printed to black and white to "reflect the atmosphere of Joy Division and the mood of the era".

The website's consensus reads, "Control is a work of art, thanks to its evocative black and white cinematography and sensational performances from Sam Riley and Samantha Morton.

Ray Bennett from Reuters described Control to be a "disappointment" and said the film "features lots of music from that time and has decent performances, but it fails to make the case for its fallen star".

[20] Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, two of the founding members of Joy Division, generally praised the film.