Documentary Review: Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan Story

Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan Story has just hit cinemas across Aotearoa. The 88-minute film is a glorious tribute to one of the country’s finest musicians, offering an intimate insight into Don McGlashan in a way we haven’t seen before. Directed by one of New Zealand’s most prolific and celebrated documentary makers, Shirley Horrocks, the film has her signature warmth and sincerity – she has a remarkable ability to make you feel as though you are right there, living the story alongside her subjects.

Music was always celebrated in McGlashan’s whānau. His sister recalls a “music cupboard” in their family home, overflowing with instruments – a perfect sanctuary for a young McGlashan. He would spend hours immersed in A Tune a Day books, determined to master as many instruments as he could. It’s a beautiful image, and makes a lot of sense when you considered the scope of his work over the years

When Blam Blam Blam formed in 1980, a 21-year-old McGlashan was ready to take on the world. I could go into great detail about his journey – the bands; The Mutton Birds, The Front Lawn, the albums, and his place in the history of New Zealand music – but instead I want to focus on a few moments from the film that really stood out to me.

One of the most affecting parts of the documentary is McGlashan reflecting on the loss of his older brother, nicknamed Sandy, who died in a tragic boating accident when Don was just 15. He speaks candidly about how the weight of that loss didn’t fully land until his late twenties and thirties. In the years following, he threw himself into music, staying relentlessly busy. Out of that grief came the deeply beautiful song Andy from Songs from the Front Lawn. The documentary gave me a much greater understanding of – and appreciation for – a song that has been a personal favourite for many years.

I also loved the stories about the Front Lawn tours, including the legendary washing machine on stage, with performances timed to its cycles. Each town’s water pressure changed the length of those cycles, forcing constant adaptation. It perfectly captures McGlashan’s extraordinary ability to find art, humour, and beauty in the mundane. Songs like The Heater reflect this too – his writing has a quiet, deeply human magic that runs as a strong theme throughout the film.

Even one of Aotearoa’s greatest songwriters has moments of doubt. Neil Finn shares a story about a whisky night at McGlashan’s house. Finn visited the garden, complimenting him on the monuments there. McGlashan replied that each one was a testament to writer’s block. It’s a disarming and very human moment. Now splitting his time between Canada and Aotearoa, it’s clear that McGlashan’s love for his homeland remains as strong and heartfelt as ever.

I really enjoyed Don talking about tackling Parihaka and the care he took in creating a song that was respectful of the history and the people involved. He spoke of his frustration at how we continue to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in Aotearoa, while so often failing to acknowledge our own rich and significant history. In this instance, Don was speaking about Parihaka – the peaceful Māori community where residents protested land confiscation through non-violence, singing waiata and standing their ground. Despite this, John Bryce and his forces arrived determined to take the land, burning homes and destroying gardens.

Out of this tragedy came McGlashan’s song John Bryce – a chilling, melancholic piece that confronts this history head-on. The song reminds us that Parihaka is what we should be remembering, rather than an event that occurred in England in the 1600’s. It also stands as a tribute to Don’s ability to express his views, and not be afraid to take on challenging subjects.

Overall, Shirley Horrocks has created a beautiful and moving tribute to Don McGlashan – a musician whose work has stood the test of time and continues to unite and move people. The film offers a genuine insight into his journey: the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This is a documentary I will definitely be watching again. Well done to Shirley, Don and the team, a beautiful way to celebrate a wonderful legacy.