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Amazon.ca
This dramatization of the tangled history of Apple Computer and Microsoft, based on a book by Paul Frieberger, hits enough of the right notes to make its failures all the more frustrating. The script follows the entwined paths of Apple's Steve Jobs and Microsoft's Bill Gates with a pointed sense of the cultural divide between the hip, self-absorbed Apple cofounder and the brilliant alpha geek behind Microsoft's eventual software empire, contrasting the Mac's countercultural underpinnings with the PC's more strait-laced origins. But Pirates of Silicon Valley seemingly can't decide whether it wants to be a serious-minded history of these key figures in the personal computer revolution or a trashy wallow in the more ignoble foibles of its principals. As a result, it falls short of exacting history while never achieving the guilty pleasure it might have.
If Gates has become synonymous with corporate conquest at its most striking, Pirates' interest lies more with Jobs, given a nervous energy and flashes of adolescent selfishness by Noah Wyle, who benefits from a reasonable physical resemblance to the Apple chief. Eyewear and a comb-over do nearly as well for Anthony Michael Hall, who also grafts some of Bill Gates's better-known mannerisms onto his performance and renders Gates as a smart if socially maladroit entrepreneur who, like Jobs, provides the ambition and business savvy to exploit his partner's computing talents. There are a few fanciful touches (Ballmer and Wozniak become Greek choruses, addressing the viewer as they comment on the principals), but the story plays out in straightforward fashion. It's tantalizing to consider how the Apple/PC melodrama might have fared with an edgier, more openly satirical script. --Sam Sutherland
Product Description
The revolution came when we weren't looking. It happened in a garage. In a dorm room. In countless hours of effort, imagining and intrigue. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates were changing the way the world works, lives and communicates. The event-packed saga of the quirky visionaries who jump-started the future unfolds with exhilarating, cutting-edge style in Pirates of Silicon Valley. Noah Wyle (ER) portrays Jobs and Anthony Michael Hall (The Dead Zone) portrays Gates in this chronicle of the fierce and often humorous battle to rule the fledgling personal computer empire. "The story is almost Shakespearean... it's a tale of lust, greed, ambition, love and hate," writer/director Martyn Burke reflects. And it's a success story unlike any other.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Mr.Sette
Format:DVD
Pirates of Silicon Valley is a fantastic recount of technological history. Apple vs. Windows. Jobs vs. Gates. Pirates vs. Pirates. Almost similar to spy vs. spy. A must watch for anyone who is a tech geek and loves historical truth or fiction.
Format:DVD
The two biggest boys on the planet today are Jobs and Gates. This movie provides a nice inside scoop of how they started in the beginning of personal computers. How different computers would be today if not from their influence. The acting was superb...you will not be disappointed!
By bernie
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Just as with the urban legend there are legends as how Microsoft and Apple came to being. This story based on a book by Paul Freiberger and Michael Swaine, is about the story of two parallel personalities; one wants to make a dent I the universe, the other wants to keep his enemies close.
Many realities and key players were glossed over not to mention the CPM operating system. However if we delve into two may diverse parts of this story we would loose our focus and cohesion.
It is fun to watch the parallel growth of Apple's Steve Jobs (Noah Wyle) and Microsoft's Bill Gates (Anthony Michael Hall). Especially the ability to get into their heads and the many exacerbations or the other guy.
As a previous owner of an Altair, Commodore, TRS-80, and Apple among others this movie had a special interest for me.
Many realities and key players were glossed over not to mention the CPM operating system. However if we delve into two may diverse parts of this story we would loose our focus and cohesion.
It is fun to watch the parallel growth of Apple's Steve Jobs (Noah Wyle) and Microsoft's Bill Gates (Anthony Michael Hall). Especially the ability to get into their heads and the many exacerbations or the other guy.
As a previous owner of an Altair, Commodore, TRS-80, and Apple among others this movie had a special interest for me.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Apple Cores. Revolving Doors. Silicon Sails The High Seas. Gates &...
Several aspects catapulted me into this movie with a mesmerizing intensity which caused me to watch it several times, and to know I'll continue to do so periodically. Read more
Published on Oct 3 2006 by Linda G. Shelnutt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Story
But....you know what...Both Gates and Jobs are thieves..Infact who isn't in this day and age. Look at what happened at ERON....A-DUH ..Typical Corporate America.
Published on July 13 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
not completely accurate, but still informative/entertaining
If you're looking for a documentary that accurately explains the beginnings of the personal computer industry, then "The Pirates of Silicon Valley" is not it. Read more
Published on Mar 20 2004 by Graham Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Movie version of Robert Cringely's "Triumph of the Nerds"
Very entertaining movie for people who are interested in how PC revolution begins. Showing the big pirates like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs how to build their empires by stealing... Read more
Published on Feb 27 2004 by Otto Yuen
3.0 out of 5 stars
For a television movie.. pretty good
Anthony Michael really nailed his character and impressed me for the first time in a while--reminded me of just exactly WHY he was member of the BRAT PACK. Read more
Published on Nov 17 2003 by Alicia Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Becoming a classic.
This movie is becoming a classic to me. It's funny, querky, dramatic at times. I really like all of the key players who have these sil-ICONS down to a T. Read more
Published on Oct 27 2003 by Anthony Schenk
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good but too bad...
Such a good movie, but too bad they don't offer it on DVD. It's kinda ironic...
Published on Jun 18 2003 by Matthew E. Kopko
5.0 out of 5 stars
Apple vs. Microsoft for the 'mouse'.
This whole movie is over the 'mouse graphics interface',how Steve Jobs takes the idea of the 'mouse' from 'Xerox',and uses the idea of the 'mouse' exclusively for 'Apple Computer'... Read more
Published on Jun 7 2003
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cheezefest, but also insightful
The video is brutally honest about how Jobs neglects his daughter and abuses Apple employees. He seems to have had a hard time dealing with his own illegitimacy (he was adopted) It... Read more
Published on April 20 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
The great american success story, timing is everything!
This takes you from beginning to present day.
Shows Paul Allen (who now OWNS the Seahawks and Trailblazers pro teams) Bill Gates, Steve Jobs etc. etc. Read more
Shows Paul Allen (who now OWNS the Seahawks and Trailblazers pro teams) Bill Gates, Steve Jobs etc. etc. Read more
Published on Feb 27 2003
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