From the creator of Love Actually and Notting Hill comes a trip back to the freewheeling, free-loving ?60s when the very rock music that inspired a generation was censored by the government. When a group of rebellious deej... more »ays decides to defy the ban, they take to the seas to broadcast music and mayhem to millions of adoring fans. Featuring a soundtrack that includes The Who, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and many more, it?s a feel-great film based on a true story that critics cheer is ?exuberant!? (John Powers, Vogue)« less
This is a comedy classic at our home. Inventive & based on a true story. A keeper with a very impressive cast, cameos galore...get this and decide exactly how much you love it. bootleg stations - clandestine stations - GREAT MUSIC - A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960s. The British Parliament and LOVE.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
SV S. Reviewed on 8/12/2014...
I am only giving this film five stars because I am completely crazy about rock'n'roll music - if I were a more objective reviewer I would probably give it 3.5 stars (without outtakes) or 4 (with outtakes).
That said, if you are a hardcore fan of 20th century guitar music (and a bit nerdy about the 1960s), you will probably adore this film! It truly captures the wild, irreverent spirit of rock music and the attitude that went with it back in the '60s, and was clearly made by flag-waving rock'n'roll lunatics who have huge record collections.
Make sure to watch all of the outtakes included on the DVD, as much of the best material is contained there; I personally cannot wait for a director's cut of this film. The Beatles scene outside Abbey Road actually made me cry (can you tell how much I love the Beatles?!).
There was once a time when Herman's Hermits were considered by some people to rival The Beatles, and this movie will remind you of that fact in a hilarious way. If you ever wondered what it was like to be married for only 72 hours, you'll get to find out! You'll also get to enjoy Rhys Ifans slinking about in true rock star style, sexy and charismatic as the real thing (also check him out in Oasis's music video The Importance of Being Idle, if you liked him in this - and did you know he has his own rock band? Look up "Stonefinger" by The Peth).
The more you appreciate music, the more you will laugh, and the more this film will touch your heart. If you have ever used music to make good times better, to make bad times bearable, to heal an aching and broken heart, or to remind you why life is worth living, you will have a fabulous time with this film!
Lisa D. (lisad) Reviewed on 6/13/2013...
When I first started watching this, I didn't think I would like it. But, I continued. And, I am glad I did. It got better and better as the movie went on.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Rose A. from STEPHENSON, VA Reviewed on 6/19/2011...
Don't miss the out takes as these are the best part of the CD.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Vincent D. (batfrey) from BELLEVUE, WA Reviewed on 10/12/2010...
Fun Movie. Some real characters. A little corny though. The ending was a bit hard to believe. Still, well worth the watch.
3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Quin S. from FARMERSBURG, IA Reviewed on 6/17/2010...
Maybe not a great movie in its edited form but a solidly good one- subtle humor abounds and collides with blunt in-your-face comedy while the whole is threaded together by the lives of the Radio Rock's crew. Bill Nighy as Quentin rides herd over the dj's and support staff with style and wit while Chris O'Dowd and Kathleen Parkinson (The IT Crowd) are reunited and showcased very well in their respected roles.
The plot unfolds around the arrival and residence of 'Little Carl' who has been sent aboard by his mother after trouble at home and, as his roommate Thick Kevin remarks, there couldn't possibly be a worse place to send him if his mother wanted him to shape up. We see Carl's mother only once- at Christmas- where she is memorably played by Emma Thompson.
In the background we watch a government campaign spearheaded by Sir Alistair Dormandy intent on shutting down the 'pornography' broadcast by Radio Rock and its peers from ships anchored in the North Sea. Dominic Twatt, that's two t's, is directed by Dormandy to be his 'secret assassin' in the effort and for all of the Twatt jokes you still need to watch the deleted scenes for the absolute best ones.
In fact, the movie is good and I see why it was put together as it was to remain within the time constraints but really the most brilliant scenes are in the extra's. Well worth watching just for the introduction of Dormandy's assistant to Mr. Twatt and the Guatemalan dance-off the rest are equally worthy and I hope when there is eventually a director's cut they will be put back in where they belong- they may not add a lot to the plot but they are absolute gems.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Captures The Essence Of The Era Perfectly
Katrina-UK | Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom | 04/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This film has just come out in the UK. For once, we (in the UK) got this film released here first. Its usually the other way round! Absolutely loved this film from beginning to end. It captures the essence of that era perfectly, and it is a film I could watch again and again. The whole cast's acting was superb throughout. My biggest surprise came from Rhys Ifans who portrayed the sex god DJ Gavin fantastically. What a sexy voice for the radio - shame I can't mention one DJ on air at the moment who sounds the same...!
Unfortunately, I myself, was born in 1979, so wasn't around in that decade. However I took my mum to see this film as she was 21yrs old in 1966. She remembers listening to the pirate radio station in the middle of the North Sea, and remembers all the political controversy surrounding it. She thought it was a great film too.
If you appreciate the best music of all time, proper rock n roll from the 60's/70's, then you will love this film. It's a real feel good movie that you will appreciate if you ever wished you had lived through that era, or you were lucky enough to experience it first hand."
A GREAT TIME!!
J. Erin Dugan | Santa Cruz, CA | 04/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just got back from London Apr. 14th and saw this over there. It was great!! Great cast, great music and great fun. Everyone in mmmmy gggeneration should see it, you'll be sorry if you don't."
Loved it...laugh out loud fun
Mary G. Longorio | Eagle Mountain, UT | 11/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pirate Radio sports a stellar cast including
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Tom Sturridge, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Emma Thompson (all too brief appearance)and Kenneth Branagh. When rock and roll exploded in the UK, the government and radio stations banned play over the airways. Rogue radio stations broadcast from ships offshore. Pirate Radio captures the exuberance and the bigger than life radio personalities that emerged with the new culture. Rated R for profanity and sexual situations, this film is full of laughs and any weaknesses are compensated for with an awesome soundtrack. Great way to spend an evening.
"
USA version vs UK version
Emily | usa | 04/27/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am heartbroken! When I originally watched Pirate Radio I didn't realize it was the UK version. It was fantastic, the story, the music everything I couldn't wait till it came out on dvd. Then when it finally came out I couldn't find it anywhere to buy it. Not even Walmart was carrying it in their stores which I thought was strange. Finally I came to Amazon and bought mine. Wow what a butchered piece of crap. I don't know why the 2 dvd's are so different. Yeah the dvd's do contain the deleted scenes, most of which were included in the UK version but it's not the same. If you are going to buy Pirate Radio do yourself a huge favor and find a way to get the UK version. Watch out for the coding for your dvd player as UK dvd's don't play in USA dvd players, but from what I understand you can get the blue ray and get the UK version that way.
What a way to butcher a movie that was so great!!!! Someone seriously needs smacked for this one!"
God save the Rock 'n' Roll
R. Kyle | USA | 11/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1966, a mad mod monastery of mostly male crew with one token lesbian as cook sail the North Seas on a boat. Their mission is to broadcast rock and roll to the UK 24/7. They're led by Quentin (Bill Nighy) and The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an American DJ. Of course, their vows are drugs, sex (but only twice a month when a ship of girls comes on board) and rock and roll.
Sir Allister Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) doesn't like the broadcasts, which he sees as damaging the moral fiber of the UK's young and as a government member, he's set out to take the ship off the air. As he says, "If you don't like something, you simply make it illegal." He and his faithful sidekick, Twatt (Jack Davenport) start their nefarious plans by trying to stop the station's advertisement, then when their signal allegedly interferes with a maritime distress signal, they work to make the channels illegal.
The music's the best of 60's rock from Dusty Springfield's 'white soul' to The Who. The lines will have you roaring with laughter. The film's R rating is justified for language, drug use and some nudity. I cannot say I have laughed so hard or enjoyed the music from a soundtrack so much in years. This is one film I will be purchasing and watching every year or so when I need a good laugh.