24 Hour Party People (2002)

In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester's music to the world.

Director:

Michael Winterbottom

Writer:

Frank Cottrell Boyce (screenplay)

Stars:

Steve Coogan, Lennie James, John Thomson

1 win & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Coogan	...	Tony Wilson
John Thomson	...	Charles
Paul Popplewell	...	Paul Ryder
Lennie James	...	Alan Erasmus
Shirley Henderson	...	Lindsay
Mark Windows	...	Johnny Rotten
Paddy Considine	...	Rob Gretton
Raymond Waring	...	Vini
Ron Cook	...	Derek Ryder
John Simm	...	Bernard Sumner
Danny Cunningham	...	Shaun Ryder
Dave Gorman	...	John the Postman
Ralf Little	...	Hooky (Peter Hook)
Andy Serkis	...	Martin Hannett
Nigel Pivaro	...	Actor at Granada

Storyline

Manchester 1976: Cambridge educated Tony Wilson, Granada TV presenter, is at a Sex Pistols gig. Totally inspired by this pivotal moment in music history, he and his friends set up a record label, Factory Records, signing first Joy Division (who go on to become New Order) then James and the Happy Mondays, who all become seminal artists of their time. What ensues is a tale of music, sex, drugs, larger-than-life characters, and the birth of one of the most famous dance clubs in the world, The Hacienda - a mecca for clubbers as famous as the likes of Studio 54. Graphically depicting the music and dance heritage of Manchester from the late 70's to the early 90's, this comedy documents the vibrancy that made Mad-chester the place in the world that you would most like to be.

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Plot Keywords:

manchester | drugs | violence | suicide by hanging | snorting cocaine | 

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Taglines:

The unbelievably true story of one man, one movement, the music and madness that was Manchester.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, drug use and sexuality

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

24 ores gemates rock

Filming Locations:

Mam Tor, High Peak Estate, Derbyshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£265,428 (United Kingdom), 7 April 2002, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,940, 11 August 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,130,379, 13 October 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revolution Films,Baby Cow Productions,The Film Consortium

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Christopher Eccleston: The man quoting Boethius in the tunnel asking for change.

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Goofs

Ian Curtis hanged himself in his kitchen. However, the film suggests that he hanged himself in the den while watching television.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tony Wilson: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the latest craze sweeping the Pennines, and I've got to be honest, I'd rather be sweeping the Pennines right now.

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

Freaky Dancin'
Written by Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Mark Day, Paul Davis and Gary Whelan
Copyright London Music
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
Performed by cast members

User Reviews

Raving Manchester

I was mislead by the trailers of '24 Hour Party People' have been very misleading. I thought it would be another 'Trainspotting' type movie about party animals. However, it's something different, something better. Though many have compared it to the likes of 'Studio 54' (Lord knows why), '24 Hour Party People' is a far better made and more effective film. Based on a true story, it takes place during the time when punk rock was subsiding and new kinds of music were born in England. Shot with a digital camera, in documentary style with some use of live footage and narrated by Tony Wilson, (who leads a double life as a TV reporter and music producer), Michael Winterbottom takes us into the rave culture in Manchester, that of sex, drugs and rock and roll. We see it all from Wilson's point of view and we are amused by the layers of his character. Coogan breathes life into Tony Wilson and brings an excellent humour in his portrayal. Paddy Considine and Shirley Henderson stand out too. Pretty much all the performances appear authentic. Watch out for cameos by Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg and Marsha Thomason and by real bandmembers. The portrayal of the Manchester culture, the scenes inside the club and the bands look very real. Winterbottom infuses loads of energy and craze to 'seduce' the viewer. He cleverly injects dry humour which only supports that this is more than just a documentary-like movie. The soundtrack is a must-have and for those who love movies about music, this is a must see.