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Pirate Radio (2009)
"The Boat That Rocked" (original title)

R  |   |  Comedy, Drama, Music  |  13 November 2009 (USA)
7.4
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Ratings: 7.4/10 from 86,479 users   Metascore: 58/100
Reviews: 207 user | 194 critic | 31 from Metacritic.com

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

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Title: Pirate Radio (2009)

Pirate Radio (2009) on IMDb 7.4/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Mr. Roberts
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Mrs. Roberts
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Will Adamsdale ...
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Dave
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Ike Hamilton ...
Stephen Moore ...
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Storyline

"The Boat That Rocked" 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. Written by Production office

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

On air. Off shore. Out of control. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, and some sexual content including brief nudity | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

Release Date:

13 November 2009 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Pirate Radio  »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£1,804,773 (UK) (3 April 2009)

Gross:

$7,994,115 (USA) (1 January 2010)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| | (as dts)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The album Bob grabs at the end is the 1967 record, The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion by Incredible String Band. See more »

Goofs

In one sequence where a tender vessel is approaching the Radio Rock boat, the wake from the camera boat is visible to the left of the bow wash from the tender. See more »

Quotes

Angus: Official sources word today sad to announce this separation of Simon and Eleanor, after 17 hours of marriage. It is understood due to musical differences.
See more »

Crazy Credits

This film is dedicated to all who worked and broadcast on the pirate stations - all those wonderful years, all day and all of the night. See more »

Connections

References The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

End of the World
(1962)
Music by Arthur Kent
Lyrics by Sylvia Dee
Performed by Skeeter Davis
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
A smart and witty story about love and friendship ON A BOAT!
14 August 2009 | by (Taiwan) – See all my reviews

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


56 of 98 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Where are the Beatles? practicalhope
I really enjoyed this movie...until... onepimptiger
folks in the 60s weren't nostalgic for the 60s wilbrifar
Stuff taken out for US release JimF29
Crew?! northern_lad
What album does Carl's Dad Save? jaytosh522
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