24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE

Year: 2002
USA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
UK: Pathe Distribution Ltd
Cast: Steve Coogan, Lennie James, John Simm, Andy Serkis, Kenny Baker, Rob Brydon, James Cartwright, Chris Coghill, Paddy Considine, Martin Coogan, Danny Cunningham, Christopher Eccleston, Dave Gorman, Martin Hancock, Sean Harris, Shirley Henderson, Peter Kay, Ralf Little, Kate Magowan, Mani, Simon Pegg, Paul Popplewell, John Thomson, Raymond Waring, Anna Tyborcyk
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Country: UK
USA: 115 mins
UK: 117 mins
USA Rated: R for strong language, drug use and sexuality
UK Certificate: 18 contains very strong language and drug use
USA Release Date: 9 August 2002 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 5 April 2002

Synopsis

Every second of every hour of every day, this is what fuels the music industry... the geniuses, the poets, the feuds, the drugs, the fallouts, the moguls and the messiahs.

Starring Steve Coogan and directed by the highly acclaimed Michael Winterbottom, 24 Hour Party People is a star studded, one-way trip through the insane world of the music industry and a place called "Madchester".

Before Ibiza, there was Manchester. Before Manumission, there was the Haçienda. Before New Order, there was Joy Division. This is their true story and the history of rave culture, told through the eyes of the man who started it all.... Tony Wilson (Coogan).

Manchester 1976: Cambridge educated Granada TV presenter Tony Wilson is at a low-key Sex Pistols gig. Totally inspired by this pivotal moment in music history, he sets up a record label, Factory Records signing first Joy Division (who go on to become New Order), A Certain Ratio and the Happy Mondays, who all become significant artists of their time. What ensues is a tale of music, sex, drugs, larger-than-life characters, and the birth of one of the most famous dance clubs in the world, The Hacienda - a Mecca for clubbers as famous as the likes of Studio 54. Graphically depicting the music and dance heritage of the late 70's to the early 90's, this black comedy documents the vibrancy that made Manchester the place to be.

From that seminal Sex Pistols gig, 24 Hour Party People journeys through the tragic death of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis (Sean Harris) to the infamous Haçienda drug culture, with Wilson's inflated ego and naïve confidence in his bands eventually leading to his downfall - and that of the Haçienda.

DVD EXTRAS

Subtitles: Hard of Hearing English
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (16x9)
Sound Quality: 5.1

Special Features

Bizarre Love Triangle: Tony Wilson commentary
Commentary with Steve Coogan & Andrew Eaton
From the Factory Floor: Artists' Commentary from Peter Hook (New Order), Rowetta (Happy Mondays), Leroy Richardson (Haçienda Manager), Bruce Mitchell (Durutti Column), Miranda Sawyer (Journalist), Bobby Langley (Hacienda DJ) and Martin Moscrop (A Certain Ratio)
Sleeve Notes: A who's who and what's what
'White Rabbit' style guide.
Unknown Pleasures: 24 Deleted scenes
Pills 'N' Thrills and Bellyaches: Interviews
Portrait of a Filmmaker: Michael Winterbottom documentary
Peter Saville Gallery: Designs with Peter Saville / Tony
Wilson commentary
Here to Stay: New Order music video