The stories behind Metallica's internal fighting, therapy sessions and the tumultuous making of the band's "St. Anger" album are heading to the big screen in the documentary "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster."

The movie is an unflinching, warts-and-all look at the band. Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky produced and directed the film, which is part of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and is targeted for release in theaters and on DVD this year if the film gets a distribution deal.

Berlinger and Sinofsky directed the HBO documentaries "Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills" and "Paradise Lost 2: Revelations," both of which prominently featured Metallica's music.

A rough cut of the film, which shares a title with one of the songs on the "St. Anger" album, was shown at private screenings held last month in New York and Los Angeles.

Lead singer/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich clash often in the film, with lead guitarist Kirk Hammett usually acting as peacemaker. The making of "St. Anger" was interrupted for several months when Hetfield went into rehab for alcoholism and other addictions.

Other key figures in the film are therapist Phil Towle, whom Metallica paid $40,000 per month to help resolve tension in the band, and long-time producer Bob Rock. Towle is ubiquitous, as he spends time with the band in the studio and during songwriting sessions. Later in the film, the band members wrestle with whether to let Towle go, when they feel his services are no longer needed.

During one therapy session, Ulrich meets with Dave Mustaine, who was fired from Metallica in 1983 and went on to form Megadeth. Mustaine tearfully talks about the anger and pain he has experienced by being labeled a Metallica reject.

The film also shows how Metallica dealt with the exit of bassist Jason Newsted, who quit the band in 2001. He is also featured in the movie.

The documentary reveals the band struggling over issues of artistic credibility, the Napster controversy and backlash from "selling out." In one scene, the band is pressured by management to record promotional announcements for a contest from a large, undisclosed radio conglomerate.

When band members show reluctance to do the promotion, Metallica manager Cliff Burnstein tells them -- via speakerphone -- that the corporate radio giant may retaliate by trying to ruin the band's career. Hetfield expresses anger and surprise and is then inspired to write the lyrics "Wash your back so you won't stab mine" for the "St. Anger" track "Sweet Amber."

The tone of the film becomes more upbeat when bassist Robert Trujillo joins the band. The documentary shows several musicians auditioning to replace Newsted, including Trujillo, Eric Avery (formerly of Jane's Addiction), ex-Marilyn Manson guitarist Twiggy Ramirez, Nine Inch Nails member Danny Lohner and Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity.

In the film, Ulrich says Trujillo was chosen because he was the only performer who did not struggle to play any Metallica songs during his audition. Hetfield also notes that Trujillo makes the band play better.

Trujillo's presence brings a new, more positive energy to the band, as the film ends with Metallica being honored on the MTV tribute show "MTV Icon," as well as performing in packed stadiums.

The conclusion of the film effectively shows that Metallica is at its best when playing live and that the adoration from fans has been crucial in healing some of the band's wounds and may be what motivates Metallica to keep going.

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