Special When Lit Trailer (2010)

Trailer for the documentary Special When Lit.

Special When Lit rediscovers the lure of a lost pop icon - pinball. This American invention made more money than Hollywood through the 50s and 60s. Its success swept the world making it the epitome of 'cool'. Today pinball is all but forgotten. This is the definitive story of the rise and fall of pinball as told by the fans, collectors, designers and champion players from across the globe. A game, a sport, a lifestyle - pinball takes this eclectic bunch of self-confessed 'pinheads' back to their youth as they open up passionately to reveal the attractions of the 'world's funnest toy'.

Now pinball is virtually nowhere. Kids don't even know what a pinball machine is. People stay home for their entertainment and kids hang out online, not at the arcade or corner store. The fate of pinball seems decided yet there exists a passionate sub culture keeping the dream alive. Whether it's down at their local bar for a game, or choosing which game to play from a basement collection, pinball is a reality trip to a universe in a box. The ball is wild and can't be controlled, but the challenge to tame it never stops. It's a world that's special when lit.

At a time where we can instantly access any song or movie from our past, pinball offers a throwback to an experience that can't be digitally reproduced. Special When Lit captures the passion for a game that inspired generations. But it also recounts the loss of a certain way of living and playing. Perhaps pinball deserves a better fate than simply a nostalgic footnote. Whatever the future, Special When Lit will leave you searching for an arcade to line up your coins to master the silver ball. Will the machine always win?