The Wall confusion

I always thought that The Wall was based on Roger's experiences. Correct me if I'm wrong (which I could be...) but wasn't Roger the one with the dad in the war, the school problems, his mother being a stickler, etc...

But I was watching a VH1 special on Pink Floyd. Roger said "...he appears in the wall a lot" then the documentry guy says the main character played by (whoever) in the flim version is based off Syd Barret.

...so can someone just help me out a bit? I'm just a little confused. I understand Roger wrote the wall, but it's based off him and his experiences.

...yet Syd is portayed in the movie?

Help please.

Also, I'm sorry if this is in another thread, but I looked and didnt see much on it.

The character Pink is based on both Roger and Syd.

Listen to the comentry on the dvd and Roger seems to sugest that the broad themes are based on his life but magnified ten fold (ie he did have evil teachers but he had good ones too). However the detail is quite a bit of Syd (ie the shaving of Pink's whole body was something he did) and the gradual decline in to madness was sparked off by Syd's history.

Hmmm, alright. Thanks for the clarification

As well as the scene that opens to Pink holding a cigarette in his hand that is burnt to the end. Roger said that he had remembered walking in on a dazed Syd one day with a cigarette like that, I think. Haven't listened to the commentary in a while.

The story is indeed based off certain parts and memories of both of their lives. In particular, 'When the Tigers Broke Free' comes to mind, which was written completely based on Waters father, with a few added details. Very moving song by the way.

didn't Syd lose his father at a young age too?

The story of the wall is an amalgamation of different histories and rock star cliches. It's true genius.

Yes, when he was 12 I believe.