Tom Sturridge stars as Carl and Rhys Ifans as Gavin in the movie “Pirate Radio.” Photo courtesy of Focus Features.

PIRATE RADIO (Rated R)

Whenever it is revealed that a story is “fact-based,” keep in mind that the end result has, at best, a tenuous connection to reality. As is the case with “Pirate Radio,” one should expect a fictionalized version of events of the era.

During 1966, the government-backed British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) only broadcast about two hours of rock and pop music every week over the United Kingdom radio airwaves. By contrast, in America, radio stations played this brand of music constantly. Thus, a void was filled in Britain when rogue rock deejays transmitted their music programs from ships outside the British territorial waters.

Ironically, some of the best rock music was emerging from Great Britain during this period, particularly from the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Kinks. But the British government effectively censored the preferred music, leading to the huge popularity of numerous offshore pirate radio stations.

“Pirate Radio” tells the story of the fictional Radio Rock tanker in the North Sea, where an eclectic band of deejays worked around-the-clock spinning records and titillating the audience with subversive thoughts about the popular culture.

The ringleader for the floating rock circus is station owner and ship’s captain Quentin (Bill Nighy), an oddball father figure to the raucous band of DJs. The radio station star and chief record-spinner is an American (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) who calls himself The Count.

His position of airwave supremacy is threatened by the glorious return of the mystical Gavin (Rhys Ifans), a very theatrical type who inspires adoration from swooning female fans. A major plot element is the rivalry between The Count and Gavin, which at one point results in a contest of nerves in a race to scale the ship’s mast.

Radio Rock is a ship of eccentrics, the most notable ones leaving lasting impressions. Nick Frost, who starred with Simon Pegg in “Shaun of the Dead,” plays the chubby Dave and figures prominently in amusing situations as an irresistible Lothario.

The lovelorn Simon (Chris O’Dowd), for one, having finally met the girl of his dreams, is victimized by Dave’s overwhelming libido. There’s the aptly named Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke). Often thought to be a figment of the imagination, the rarely seen Bob (Ralph Brown) is a mystery figure because he spins records during the 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. shift.

The only woman onboard is the lesbian ship’s cook Felicity (Katherine Parkinson). Every two weeks or so, a boatload of women will arrive for a weekend of partying with the male DJs. Usually, the amorous Dave is the most active participant and more than willing to poach on someone else’s main squeeze.

Meanwhile, making an arrival to the ship is Quentin’s teenaged godson Carl (Tom Sturridge), who has been sent by his mother to spend the summer at sea. The virginal Carl harbors romantic aspirations, which may possibly come true with the visiting Marianne (Talulah Riley). Moreover, Carl is hoping to discover who might be his long-absent biological father.

A good portion of the plot, mostly for comic effect, revolves around the actions back on land in England, where the government grows increasingly and irrationally determined to shut down the pirate radio stations. Naturally, the forces of censorship are stymied by the fact that the ships are sitting in international waters just beyond the reach of Britain’s legal jurisdiction.

This, of course, does not stop cabinet member Sir Alistair Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) from embarking on a vehement crusade to silence the radio signals. Played to hysterical effect as a preening martinet, Dormandy is a buffoonish, uptight character in his quest to defeat the radio pirates. “Pirate Radio” achieves its subversive humor by lampooning the bureaucrats.

Sadly enough, the British government succeeds in passing a ridiculous law that bans pirate radio, but as “Pirate Radio” makes clear, as the tanker slips away Titanic-style, the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll never dies.

Though much of the film is very amusing, funny and droll, “Pirate Radio” may achieve its lasting distinction for what is probably the best rock soundtrack in the history of cinema.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

We are getting closer to the holiday season, with the certainty that DVD releases will celebrate the Christmas spirit.

The DVD release of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas” will never be confused with holiday fare like “It’s A Wonderful Life” or an Irving Berlin Christmas musical.

Apparently, “A Very Sunny Christmas” is something too obscene and crude to be shown on the FX Network that broadcasts the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” series. Fans of this show have come to expect deviant, offensive behavior from the bar owners of Paddy’s Pub.

This feature length comedy special follows the gang as they spread their twisted Christmas spirit with inappropriate childhood videos, a bloody encounter with Santa Claus and a heavy dose of politically incorrect behavior.

Expect a lot of crude humor and unwholesome commentary on a wide variety of controversial topics. Just be warned that “A Very Sunny Christmas” is not for family viewing.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

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