Staggeringly versatile director Michael Winterbottom follows up his epic Western THE CLAIM with a period piece of a completely different variety. A sprawling, visceral tribute to the legendary Manchester music scene that flourished between the years of 1976 and 1992, 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE recreates that influential era with reckless exuberance. In order to bring structure to the tale, Winterbottom and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce focus their attentions on Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan), the man who was responsible for making it all happen. A television reporter by day, Wilson also led a notorious double life as band manager (Joy Division, the Happy Mondays, James), label president (Factory Records), and club owner (The Hacienda). Fiercely determined and dangerously stubborn, Wilson's energy gave an entire subculture of Manchester youths their place in the spotlight, forever changing the face of popular music in the process. Shot by acclaimed cinematographer Robby Muller in faded digital video, Winterbottom's pulsating film tears through its subject matter like an ecstasy induced history lesson. The performances are flawless from top to bottom, most notably Coogan, Sean Harris, Paddy Considine, John Simm, and Danny Cunningham. A must-see for music aficionados, Winterbottom's film is also worth viewing for its sheer sense of hyperkinetic entertainment.

U.S. Theatrical Release: August 9, 2002.

U.K. Theatrical Release: April 5, 2002.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Steve Coogan - Star
2. Tony Wilson - Subject, Andrew Eaton - Producer
Featurettes (2)
Text/Galleries:
Stills/Photos

Steve Coogan: British Comedian/ Actor
Paddy Considine: A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS
Lennie James: actor
John Simm: British actor
Keith Allen: Actor
Enzo Cilenti: actor, WONDERLAND, 2000
Ron Cook: Actor
Danny Cunningham: Actor/"Loaded"
Shirley Henderson: Star of WONDERLAND, 2000
Rob Brydon: Actor, 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE (2002)

Michael Winterbottom: Director

Andrew Eaton: 

Gina Carter: Producer

Frank Cottrell Boyce: Screenwriter

Trevor Waite: 

"...24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE bounces jubilantly across its urban terrain...leaving the viewer tantalised by its uncanny impersonations....Throughout, the film runs on a lovely balance of youth and guile..."
"...In terms of capturing the spirit of a scene, 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE is a soaraway success..."
"...24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE is a smart, gritty and visually inventive film....The characters are larger than life and real....It presents them so vividly and honestly that the impression it leaves is searing, jubilant and mournful..."
"...The movie really is a blast....The film is outspoken, roaringly funny, defiantly sexual and relentlessly in-your-face..."
"...This movie is miraculous on many levels....The movie is one of the smartest, liveliest, most engaging and involving works you're likely to see this year..."
"...Fabulous....Mr. Winterbottom's most consistent talent is matching his visual approach to the tone of the story....It's worthwhile alone for Mr. Coogan's fine portrayal..."
"...24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE dances to a different groove. It's a scrappy pop docudrama that's as mod, odd, and ironic as its subject..."
"...24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE is a vibrant re-creation of the punk rock revolution that galvanized Manchester in the late '70s and '80s....[Coogan's] wry commentary adds a note of bemused intelligence..."
"[A] must-have..."