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The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time

The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time is a collection of 24 short films[1][2] from the English rock band Radiohead. It was directed and edited by Chris Bran of the Vapour Brothers.

The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time

1 December 2004 (2004-12-01)

2004

110 minutes

It was released on DVD on 1 December 2004.[3][4] The DVD release contains all four episodes of the original broadcast from Radiohead Television, an online television station, featuring unheard songs, live studio performances and interviews.


The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time is named after a collage by German artist John Heartfield.[5]

Background[edit]

Episodes of The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time were originally developed to be a programme on a regular television channel, or even on Radiohead's own channel. "This was originally meant to be four episodes shown on our very own television channel,” Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke explained on the band's website.[3]


Instead, the group went on to create an internet TV channel Radiohead Television in conjunction with the release of their 2003 album Hail to the Thief.[6] Along with the episodes for The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time, other clips including promotional videos, webcast footage from live performances, as well as webcast footage from the studio were broadcast.[6][7]


On 10 May 2003, a two-minute trailer went live with the promotional video for Radiohead's single "There There". The site fully launched on 26 May with a 30-minute show.[7]


All four episodes were shown on Radiohead Television, where they could be watched for free in QuickTime format. Programming started on the hour, with visitors who did not get to the site on time faced with a test card and 1970s-style intermission music.[8][9]


After running for several months this website was replaced with an advertisement for the DVD.

Release[edit]

The DVD cover features original artwork by long-time collaborators Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, under the alias "Dr. Tchock", plus sleeve notes written by Yorke.[3]


Several of the short films were shown as interval entertainment at Jonny Greenwood's performances at the 2005 Ether Festival.


The DVD was self-released, as Radiohead's contract with record label EMI (Parlophone/Capitol) was fulfilled after COM LAG (2plus2isfive). It was initially available to order through the band's website.[10] In January 2020, Radiohead released it free on their website.[11]

Archived 11 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine

Vapour Brothers

The Most Gigantic Lying Mouth of All Time at w.a.s.t.e.