A band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that wanted classical music, and nothing else, on the airwaves.
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This movie is an ensemble comedy in which the romance takes place between the young people of the 1960s and pop music. It's about a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that wanted classical music, and nothing else, on the airwaves. The Count (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a big, brash, American god of the airwaves; Quentin (Bill Nighy), the boss of Radio Rock - a pirate radio station in the middle of the North Sea that's populated by an eclectic crew of rock and roll DJs; Gavin (Rhys Ifans), the greatest DJ in Britain who has just returned from his drug tour of America to reclaim his rightful position; Dave (Nick Frost), an ironic, intelligent, and cruelly funny co-broadcaster; and a fearsome British government official out for blood against the drug takers and lawbreakers of a once-great nation.Written by
Production office
As in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), where the Beatles "Help!" album is shown at least twice, there were many references to the Beatles in this movie. That time frame was when the Beatles were at their hottest. But because of copyright issues still in place at that time, no Beatles songs were ever played. See more »
Goofs
The Stanton 500 cartridge that's on some of the record players is far newer than 1966 See more »
Quotes
Harold:
[the crew has decided to stay on the ship and keep broadcasting having nowhere else to go, Harold is the last one left]
I *do* have somewhere else to go
[pause as crew looks at him. Quentin gives an "alright" shrug]
Harold:
But it's Peckham so I'm staying
[all start backslapping and saluting]
See more »
Crazy Credits
There is an additional scene after the credits have ended. See more »
Alternate Versions
US distributor, Universal have chosen to re-title the film as "Pirate Radio" and release it under Focus Features in US territories. This new version will be edited for length by director Richard Curtis after some European reviewers cited its 135 minute running time as a factor in its diminished success. See more »
'The boat that rocked' is your average English comedy.
Its highly original setting, on a 1966-clandestine Sixties' pirate-radio ship, surely warms the heart of everyone around at the time -- listening in when you were supposed to sleep or to do your homework. All excitement of those long-gone days is well revived.
This 1966-nostalgia keeps you on your seat, laughing & marveling until 'Boat's very Titanic-like end; this film's love-stories also revives sweet memories of your own first encounters back then.
In spite of all this, one cannot overlook that 'Boat's storyline is pretty average & fairly predictable. Those with a good memory will also have noticed that several pop songs date from 1967, or even later than that.
I wouldn't call 'The Boat that Rocked' a great film; nevertheless it entertains from beginning to end.
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'The boat that rocked' is your average English comedy.
Its highly original setting, on a 1966-clandestine Sixties' pirate-radio ship, surely warms the heart of everyone around at the time -- listening in when you were supposed to sleep or to do your homework. All excitement of those long-gone days is well revived.
This 1966-nostalgia keeps you on your seat, laughing & marveling until 'Boat's very Titanic-like end; this film's love-stories also revives sweet memories of your own first encounters back then.
In spite of all this, one cannot overlook that 'Boat's storyline is pretty average & fairly predictable. Those with a good memory will also have noticed that several pop songs date from 1967, or even later than that.
I wouldn't call 'The Boat that Rocked' a great film; nevertheless it entertains from beginning to end.