The Boat That Rocked (2009)

Director:

Richard Curtis

Writer:

Richard Curtis (written by)

Release Date:

13 November 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

Tagline:

1 Boat. 8 DJs. No Morals.

Plot:

A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960s.

Plot Keywords:

North Sea | 1960s | American | Boat | Pop Music

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Michael Hadley	...	Mr. Roberts
Charlie Rowe	...	James
Lucy Fleming	...	Mrs. Roberts
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	The Count
Tom Sturridge	...	Young Carl
Ian Mercer	...	Transfer Boatman
Bill Nighy	...	Quentin
Will Adamsdale	...	News John
Tom Brooke	...	Thick Kevin
Rhys Darby	...	Angus Nutsford
Nick Frost	...	Doctor Dave
Katherine Parkinson	...	Felicity
Chris O'Dowd	...	Simple Simon
Ike Hamilton	...	Harold
Stephen Moore	...	Prime Minister

Also Known As:

"Pirate Radio" - USA (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, and some sexual content including brief nudity.

Runtime:

116 min | 135 min (original version)

Country:

UK | Germany | USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45019) | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Germany:12 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:7 | Sweden:7 | Singapore:NC-16 (cut) | France:U | UK:15 | South Korea:18 | Portugal:M/12 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Japan:PG12 | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Gambardella's Cafe, Blackheath Standard, London, England, UK

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The ship used for filming was the MV Timor Challenger, and much filming, both day and night scenes, was done in Portland Harbour (venue for the 2012 Olympics sailing) near Weymouth. The red paint scheme was based on that of the MV Ross Revenge, which was the Radio Caroline pirate ship from 1983-91, and is nowadays maintained as a museum by volunteer enthusiasts, who assisted with several aspects of the film, including loaning many of the broadcasting and ship props.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When the police motor out to the ship, the Avon rigid-hulled inflatables they use were not developed until much later.

Quotes:

Angus:And the bride is blushing now as the groom is gazing into her eyes. You can almost see Cupid fluttering his wings above their heads
[imitating wings flapping, then cawing]
Angus:No, that was a seagull.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Blake Lively/Rihanna (#35.8)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)

A smart and witty story about love and friendship ON A BOAT!

Dude, I went into this only caring that it was starring Philip Seymour (?) Hoffman, and pretty much had little expectations as long as the movie was entertaining- well it was. The very well-scripted (all-star casted) characters created as organic a cast performance as I can remember seeing since Milk. The story of pirate radio leaves its foamtrail through the leaders of p2p filesharing and their unwavering declaration that art should be enjoyed by all, not only the few who are able to pay more than a meal's worth to be able to purchase a copy of the product, pre-packaged by an Industry that is certainly not furthering music as an artform. Getting back to the movie. This roll of film has put it together in a way that's only really reserved for (good) Academy Award winning pictures, but it doesn't get all Curious Case of Benjamin Button on you. The superb cast of actors all deliver quite genuine performances, even though it takes some growing into (like the movie) but there's enough sarcastic profanity that doesn't push it over the comfort zone. The tale of Radio Rock and its crew is one that transcends personality and nationality. Lots of sex and friendship and love, this movie is the antithesis of the consumeristic slavery of our civilization and is a (loose) guide to what we should all strive for in life. The Hitler-like English committeeman in charge with taking care of the Radio Pirates is an unabashedly serious caricature of government-led regulators holding the link between revenue generating industries and the voices of progress, each always trying to tip the balance in their favor. The plot gracefully glides into its climax and with no extended cuddling it exits leaving us a nice retrospective of the experience. For the patient and passionate viewer, this film is highly recommended.

-cypheristikal