Pirate Radio (2009)

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.

Director:

Richard Curtis

Writer:

Richard Curtis

Stars:

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

This movie is an ensemble comedy in which the romance takes place between the young people of the '60s 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, a big, brash, American god of the airwaves; Quentin, 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, the greatest DJ in Britain who has just returned from his drug tour of America to reclaim his rightful position; Dave, 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

pirate radio station | pirate radio | pirate broadcasting | jumping from height | loss of virginity | 

---

Taglines:

On air. Off shore. Out of control.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

UK France Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 November 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pirate Radio

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,804,773 (United Kingdom), 5 April 2009, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,904,380, 15 November 2009, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$7,994,115, 1 January 2010

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS (as dts)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the stuffy, pompous, reactionary Sir Alastair Dormandy (Sir Kenneth Branagh) appears to be a synthesis of Tory politicians from this era (though it isn't stated which party he belongs to), the 1967 Marine Broadcasting Offences Act outlawing pirate radio was introduced under Harold Wilson's Labour government, and the person chiefly responsible for its introduction was the famous socialist politician Tony Benn, who was Postmaster General from 1964 to 1966.

---

Goofs

Simon's wedding to Elenore was not legitimate. Contrary to belief a ship's Captain cannot marry anyone unless he is a minister, a magistrate or a judge. Even if a Captain could perform marriages at sea, the wedding still wouldn't be legal as Quentin was the one officiating at it, he was not the Captain of the vessel.

---

Quotes

Simon: I believe the technical term is a *fuckload* of boats!

---

Crazy Credits

There is an additional scene after the credits have ended.

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Sweding: Dirty Harry (2018)

---

Soundtracks

98.6
(1967)
Written by George Fischoff, Anthony Powers
Performed by The Bystanders
Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group Ltd
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd

User Reviews

the film that rocked

I have been wanting to see this movie since I saw the trailer for the very first time. Today I finally got the opportunity. The plot sounded interesting and I was hoping to see a comedy that wasn't as predictable and forced romantic as a lot of comedies are. I wasn't disappointed. Sure, this isn't the most profound story ever told, but I wanted to have fun, and this movie definitely gave it to me. Another bonus is the great soundtrack, which carries the whole movie. After leaving the cinema you will want to listen to the songs featured in this film, just so you can enjoy the feeling of it a little longer. This film is funny from the beginning to the end, and there were moments when I couldn't stop laughing. If you want to see a feel-good movie with a plot that was, at least as far as I know, not used before, than this is the right film for you.