Pirate Radio (2009)
“The Boat That Rocked”
Comedy, Drama, Music |
Pirate Radio is a British comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis with pirate radio in the United Kingdom during the 1960s as its setting. The film has an ensemble cast consisting of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost and Kenneth Branagh.
Set in 1966, it tells the story of the fictional pirate radio station “Radio Rock” and its crew of eclectic disc jockeys, who broadcast rock and hip pop music to the United Kingdom from a ship anchored in the North Sea while the British government endeavors to shut them down.
In 1966, various pirate radio stations broadcast to the United Kingdom from ships in international waters, specialising in rock and pop music not played on BBC Radio. Seventeen-year-old Carl, recently expelled from school, is sent to stay with his godfather Quentin, who runs the station “Radio Rock” anchored in the North Sea. The eclectic crew of disc jockeys and staffers, led by brash American DJ “The Count”, accept Carl as one of their own. Conspiring to help Carl lose his virginity, DJ Doctor Dave arranges for Carl to seduce a female fan in the dark, believing Carl to be Dave, but the plan is foiled, embarrassing Carl.
In London, government minister Sir Alistair Dormandy resolves to shut down pirate radio stations for their commercialism and immorality, instructing his subordinate Twatt to pursue legal stratagems to accomplish this. They attempt to cut off the pirates’ revenue by prohibiting British businesses from advertising on unlicensed stations.
Director: Richard Curtis
Writer: Richard Curtis
Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost, Rhys Ifans, Tom Sturridge, Kenneth Branagh, Chris O’Dowd
►Cast:
| 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 |
| Kenneth Branagh | … | Sir Alistair Dormandy |
| Michael Thomas | … | Sandford |
| Bohdan Poraj | … | Fredericks (as Bo Poraj) |
| Sinead Matthews | … | Miss C |
| Tom Wisdom | … | Mark |
| Gemma Arterton | … | Desiree |
| Jack Davenport | … | Twatt |
| Ralph Brown | … | Bob |
| Rhys Ifans | … | Gavin |
| Talulah Riley | … | Marianne |
| Olegar Fedoro | … | Rock Boat Captain |
| Duncan Foster | … | Swedish Crewman |
| January Jones | … | Elenore |
| Emma Thompson | … | Charlotte |
| Amanda Fairbank-Hynes | … | Jemima Dormandy |
| Francesca Longrigg | … | Mrs. Dormandy |
| Poppy Delevingne | … | Model |
| Sarah Forster | … | Model |
| Ocean Moon | … | Model |
| Tuuli Shipster | … | Model |
| David Sterne | … | Marianne’s Captain |
| Olivia Llewellyn | … | Margaret |
| William Ilkley | … | Commanding Officer |
| Edward Hancock | … | Policeman |
| Katie Lyons | … | Angus’ Boat Girl |
| Kirsty Mather | … | John’s Boat Girl |
| Lana Davidson | … | Simon’s T-Shirt Girl |
| Tomas Andrisiunas | … | Swedish Crewman |
| Guðmundur Auðunsson | … | Swedish Crewman |
| Kristofer Gummerus | … | Swedish Crewman |
| Chelsea M. Matthews | … | Boat Girl (as Chelsea Matthews) |
| Antonia Bernath | … | Katie, Weather Girl |
| Caroline Boulton | … | Stag Night Girl |
| Elizabeth Conboy | … | Alice |
| Giovanna Fletcher | … | Bridesmaid |
| Michael Hennessy | … | Civil Servant |
| Sarah Linda | … | Model |
| Heather Pearse | … | Stag Night Girl |
| Russell Petch | … | Extra |
| Tom Price | … | (uncredited) |
| Chrissie Wunna | … | Model |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia