Pump Up the Volume (1990): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Pump Up the Volume is a 1990 comedy drama directed by Allan Moyle, starring Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $11.5 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 1991. Critics gave it 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Allan Moyle
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- New Line Cinema
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Pump Up the Volume About?
The premise of Pump Up the Volume without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Mark Hunter, a shy and isolated teenager living in Arizona, discovers a way to express himself by becoming "Hard Harry," the host of an underground pirate radio show. Broadcasting anonymously, he challenges authority and social conventions with provocative commentary. However, his secret identity is threatened when an inquisitive student begins to investigate, leading to a confrontation with the strict and uncompromising Principal Creswood and forcing Mark to face the consequences of his outspokenness.
Pump Up the Volume Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- pirate radio
- radio
- suicide
- teen movie
- social commentary
- freedom of speech
- depression
- female topless nudity
- independent film
- radio host
- four word title
- f word
+38 more Show fewer
- microphone
- nickname
- cigarette smoking
- apology
- high school student
- phoenix arizona
- arizona desert
- bare chested male
- hairy chest
- simulated masturbation
- jerk off instruction
- bare chested boy
- hairy chested male
- teenager
- short wave radio
- principal
- hero
- authority
- high school
- arizona
- male protagonist
- urban setting
- city
- male female relationship
- night
- visit
- opening a door
- teen comedy
- iguana
- masturbation
- ham radio
- suburb
- intelligence
- anti authority
- anger
- troubled teen
- teacher student relationship
- submission
Pump Up the Volume Cast
Christian Slater leads the cast, with Samantha Mathis. Directed by Allan Moyle.
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Director Allan Moyle
More from Allan Moyle
More films directed by Allan Moyle, best-rated first: New Waterford Girl, Empire Records, Weirdsville and Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.
Pump Up the Volume Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Pump Up the Volume 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB
Pump Up the Volume Plot Summary
What happens in Pump Up the Volume from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mark Hunter, portrayed by Christian Slater, is an astute yet introverted teenager who relocates from the East Coast to Arizona. He struggles with his inner turmoil, feeling distant from his parents—Brian Hunter (Scott Paulin), who oversees the school district, and Marla Hunter (Mimi Kennedy), who both mean well but unintentionally drive him further away.
In an attempt to provide some connection back home, his parents gift him a short-wave radio. However, instead of staying in touch with his friends, Mark transforms into the outspoken pirate DJ known as Hard Harry. His broadcasts are a mix of music, strong language, satirical commentary, heartfelt letters, and live call-ins, captivating an eager audience that includes students at Hubert Humphrey High School, alongside a concerned teacher, Ms. Emerson (Ellen Greene).
Full summary
The whole story of Pump Up the Volume, scene by scene
Pump Up the Volume Box Office
Pump Up the Volume grossed $11.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$11.5M
- US & Canada
- $11.5M
Pump Up the Volume Awards & Nominations
Pump Up the Volume earned 4 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 1991.
4 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 1991 4 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Allan Moyle
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Christian Slater
- Nominated Best Screenplay – Allan Moyle
Pump Up the Volume Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Pump Up the Volume.
How Well Do You Know Pump Up the Volume?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What alias does Mark Hunter use when he broadcasts on the radio?
Cars in Pump Up the Volume
26 cars on screen, including the 1981 Chrysler LeBaron and the 1979 Jeep CJ-7.
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1981 Chrysler LeBaron Important role -
1979 Jeep CJ-7 Important role -
1988 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Important role -
1968 Pontiac LeMans Important role
Pump Up the Volume Also Known As
22 alternative titles, including “Um Som Diferente” and “Plein volume”.
- Also known as
-
- Um Som Diferente
- Plein volume
- Y a-t-il une vie après le lycée?
- Rebelión en las ondas
- Yön äänet
- Dynamose to
- Adj rá kakaót!
- Alza il volume
- Wiecej Czadu
- Volume no Máximo
- Hart auf Sendung
- Pump Up the Volume - Alza il volume
+10 more Show fewer
- Прибавьте громкость
- רדיו חזק
- Надуйте децибелите
- Zesil to!
- Врубай на повну котушку
- Więcej czadu!
- 볼륨을 높여라
- 我有话要说
- 今夜はトーク・ハード
- Suban el Volumen
Seen Pump Up the Volume?
Movies Like Pump Up the Volume
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Ultimate Playlist of Noise, What Goes Up and High School Confidential!.
Pump Up the Volume FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Pump Up the Volume, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Pump Up the Volume?
Pump Up the Volume runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Pump Up the Volume released?
Pump Up the Volume was released on August 22, 1990.
Who directed Pump Up the Volume?
Pump Up the Volume was directed by Allan Moyle.
More films by Allan Moyle Who is in the cast of Pump Up the Volume?
Pump Up the Volume stars Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis.
How much did Pump Up the Volume make at the box office?
Pump Up the Volume grossed $11.5 million worldwide.
How is Pump Up the Volume rated?
Pump Up the Volume has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 77 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Was Pump Up the Volume nominated for any awards?
Pump Up the Volume received 4 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Pump Up the Volume have a post-credit scene?
No. Pump Up the Volume has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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