Bruce Springsteen 'Darkness' Documentary 'The Promise' Debuts at TIFF

Bruce Springsteen's new documentary 'The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge of Town' was unveiled Monday afternoon before a press and industry audience at the Toronto International Film Festival before it's official world premiere gala Tuesday evening at Roy Thompson Hall, with Springsteen himself in attendance.

The 85-minute film, produced and directed by Grammy and Emmy-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny, runs through the legendary 1978 album beginning from Springsteen's contractual disputes with former manager Mike Appel prior to recording until the album's cover art and photography were completed. The documentary features new and candid interviews with Springsteen, Appel, E Street Band members and Springsteen's longtime associate and producer Jon Landau.

Perhaps the highlights of the film -- to be included in the 'Darkness On The Edge of Town' box set slated for release in mid-November -- are scenes from the studio sessions giving insight into the creation of the record, including the making of 'Badlands' which began with just a title and Springsteen humming along.

Springsteen's prolific yet meticulous nature is well-documented. Steve Van Zandt says some 70 songs were written for the album before deciding on the final running order. There is also footage of countless hours spent in the studio trying to find the right drum sound for Max Weinberg. Springsteen's intense attention to detail is spoofed somewhat with footage of E Street Band members in the studio placing bets as to the final running time of some numbers.

The film closes with what appears to be a recent non-concert performance of the album's title track interspersed with older footage as well as a dedication to the late E Street Member Danny Federici, who died in 2008.

A few hours before 'The Promise' world premiere, Springsteen will be part of a question and answer session about the documentary conducted by actor Ed Norton.