Movie Spoiler - Pirate Radio

Caveat lector: the authors have not seen the movie. We glanced at the trailer a few times but didn't actually pay strict attention. We know the general story; a particular radio genre is banned, enterprising youths move their transmitter offshore, hilarity ensues. It's all good.

Ladies and Lords must be protected from dangers of Rock and Roll, at least according to the powers that purport to govern the airwaves in Britain. Perhaps the BBC desired to protect their priceless collection of jazz recordings. Perchance the Queen Mother got an earful of Johnny Rotten and collapsed in horror onto the chesterfield. Whatever the motivation, we are faced with a ban on Rock 'n Roll radio broadcasts in the United Kingdom.The movie trailer tells us that much.

Intent on providing the good citizens of England with head banging amplified music and shocking lyrics, our intrepid anti-heroes cook up a scheme to take to the sea with their broadcast skills. They pack up some outdated electronics along with their stacks of wax and shove off. They probably hired a ship and crew, providing another opportunity for conflict and comedy. We envision a host of salty sea dogs constantly at odds with erstwhile radio rebels.

Comedy ensues as the tiny ship is tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew... sorry, wrong plot line. Anyway, these rebels face sea monsters, government agents, and scurvy as they work to blanket their hometown with analog recordings converted into radio frequencies. Hopefully they avoided the dreaded Payola virus.

King George would have shut them down immediately with a few well-placed cannon shots across the bow. Fortunately for them, the current administration is relatively inept. Our pirates manage to blast out tuneage before being discovered. The younger generation lionizes the bobbing broadcasters. Bolstered by unexpected fame, their reluctant crew joins the quest. Hey, it could happen.

All in all, they did no damage. Violating a few maritime regulations may have landed them in the brig, but no real harm done. It's fish and chips all around as the hilarious climax hilariously ensues. Government busybodies are converted to the Rock Side. Landlubbers tune in to Pirate Radio in such large numbers that the government is obligated to acquiesce. It all ends well.

Do not confuse this quest with any significant windmill-tilting expedition. Climate Change ultimately carries more significance than free broadcasts of The Beatles, but no one wants to see a movie about it. Take a date; share and enjoy. Idle your brain and drift along with the high-seas merriment. Look not for deeper meaning beyond Rock 'n Roll as a basic human right.

Sooner or later our intrepid DJs must be captured. Eventually they run out of B sides. Having no license to revoke, all the government can do is huff and puff in the classic British style. Keep a stiff upper lip but stand down with the cannons. No one dies; that would ruin the chance for a sequel.