IMDb > 24 Hour Party People (2002)
24 Hour Party People
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

24 Hour Party People (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 24 | slideshow) Videos (see all 11)
24 Hour Party People (2002) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   11,396 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Writer:

Frank Cottrell Boyce (screenplay)

Contact:

View company contact information for 24 Hour Party People on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

5 April 2002 (UK) more

Tagline:

The unbelievably true story of one man, one movement, the music and madness that was Manchester.

Plot:

In 1976, Tony Wilson sets up Factory Records and brings Manchester's music to the world. full summary | full synopsis

Awards:

1 win & 12 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(5 articles)

Wilson To Be Remembered At 24-hour Conversation Bash
 (From WENN. 24 March 2008, 8:05 AM, PDT)

DiCaprio: Party Free
 (From WENN. 20 May 2002)

User Comments:

how did I miss seeing this movie till now? more (118 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:

Madchester (UK) (working title)
Twenty Four Hour Party People (UK) (DVD title)
more

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language, drug use and sexuality.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

In 2003, Tony Wilson wrote a novelization titled "24 Hour Party People: What the Sleeve Notes Never Tell You" based on the screenplay for the film. more

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When New order is writing Blue Monday (which was first performed November 1982), the synthesizer on the left is an AKAI 7000. This model was not sold until 1986. more

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tony Wilson: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the latest craze sweeping the Pennines, and I've got to be honest, I'd rather be sweeping the Pennines right now.
more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "King of the Hill: 24 Hour Propane People (#10.12)" (2006) more

Soundtrack:

Atmosphere more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
how did I miss seeing this movie till now?, 3 August 2005
9/10
Author: MisterWhiplash from United States

24 Hour Party People is just one of those movies that has that click with the subject matter. The actual style of the film corresponds with the music, the irreverence, and the energy of it all. But there's more than just the unconventionality of the script and direction; the film has that sort of stream-of-thought, wry, distinct British humor to it, and a sincerity beneath the absurdist parts. It follows its main character down the line, in a surreal way like a documentary, if that makes sense- we move between Tony Wilson addressing the audience (played by Steve Coogan, who is so on target with the honesty of the portrayal you can't picture anyone else in the role), an almost behind-the-scenes filming of it (I think), and a dramatization shot on pure digital, independent vibes.

Wilson, who sees the Sex Pistols play in Manchester (his hometown, and the main base and heart in the location of this film), is also a journalist on television. He gets so enamored with what he sees as an extremely important part of history (the viewer will get a good idea of this), he gets involved with the bands, the locals, and goes from just bands, to maintaining the Hacienda, a club. Some parts of the film one might expect, if considering it includes the rise and fall of fame (or rather, in this film, a lot of times in the mind), and the drug scene coinciding with the music. One knows that Tony Wilson is the main character, the protagonist, basically in every scene, but somehow he does not become the only important part of the film's success. The music too is a huge factor, and the speed it sets for a movie like this.

As much biography as musical, 24 Hour Party People brings to light the scene of Manchester as a history lesson, but an entertaining one to boot. Bands like New Order (the form after Joy Division split) will be known to most who follow music, but unless if you're not really steeped in the new-wave/dance scene of the 80's and 90's, some of the bands may sound totally unfamiliar. Still, this is not an automatic deterrent- the music is what it is, and most who will want to see the film will know what they're getting (in truth, the ratio of British punk and new-wave vs. electronica is fairly balanced). But even when some of the music doesn't stand the test of time, it serves the story all the same (some of the more interesting and darkly funny scenes are when no one comes to the club the sort of 'mix-way' between the two musical eras).

And all through this, Coogan plays it like a pro. The Coogan Wilson, of course, is far from the real Tony Wilson (one of the DVD interviews says he's a 'Jerry Springer'-looking type), so it becomes more of being a character in this whole environment that springs up around and by him. In a way he's kind of like a British Andy Warhol with the idealistic, serious journalist instead of the painter/filmmaker. There's a sort of checked insanity that underlays some of his performance, and yet for most of the time, like a lot of the better British actors, he doesn't play it more for laughs than he needs, and when serious drama/tragedy comes up it's still kept to this reality. So, along with him, and the music, and the strange form of putting together a dramatized, documentary/musical/black comedy by director Michael Winterbottom and writer Frank Cottrell Boyce, it all gels. This is one of the finest sleepers I've seen in a while.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (118 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for 24 Hour Party People (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
So, who's your top 5 Manchester groups? BlindLemonPye
Suicide in the movies. Everready
Why is everyone misty eyed about the Hacienda dw2121
What is the name of the Happy Mondays' song..... nick-2181
The scene when Ian Curtis passes away solitairepm
Alan Partridge the_jerk_is
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Sid and Nancy Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson The Holy Mountain Across the Universe El diputado
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.