In the late 1960s, I was an on-air D-J involved with AM radio in the USA. I was intrigued with Radio Caroline, one of the actual pirate stations located on a ship anchored in the North Sea off the British Isles. This film starts with that story in progress. Than we?re treated with scenes that do little to move, or establish, the story. This is not to say that the actors are not first rate, all do a fine job. But that struggle to get that ?deplorable? music on British air waves is continually resisted by the old staid government, until... a-hah, those rogue D-Js go where no radio has gone before: out on the briny deep, and out of reach of British authority. I believe that would make a better story. The splashy finale would have been better served seeing the struggle from its beginnings, rather than wasting story time with a modern day duel between two rival D-Js climbing the foretop, and with a predictable cliche--a young man attaining his first woman. But, that?s from where I sit.

this is pure movie fun. one part nostalgia, one part stick it to the censors, all fun. this was the feel good movie of 2009. if you missed it at theatres you must rent it, me, i'm going to buy it.

Richard Curtis(Bridget Jones's Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral) wrote/directed this 60's period UK comedy export - The Boat That Rocked - that was retitled Pirate Radio for its US release. This is a tale of a rebellious popular 'pirate radio' station(loosely based on Radio Caroline) that broadcasted populist entertainment on the Medium wave band(to the UK) from the Radio Rock ship in the high seas just outside of UK's territorial waters - rocking the patrician-controlled UK and vexing Kenneth Branagh's stiff upper-lipped Minister Dormandy. Pirate Radio floated on a minimalist plot - focused heavily on its characters while being saturated with a exceptionally infectious 60s groovy foot-tapping soundtrack. The cast performed with gleeful abandon relishing their roles - quirky eccentric characters with silly names such as The Count, Thick Kevin, the Dawn Treader, The Knut, etc., and Twatt(which provided some mirthful giggles). A treat for fans of British comedies.

One of the most well-rounded movies I've seen in a long time. The majority of the people in our theatre could not help but to sing along, when we weren't laughing that is! The theatre became a bit of a party - even the teenagers recognized many of the songs and those they didn't they asked about after. Hilarious antics, great wardrobe, excellent musc, and a great message. Freedom, Love, and Rock-n-Roll: don't miss this movie!