Under the Volcano

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2:08

Under the Volcano

2021

1h 37m

Documentary

Music

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Popcornmeter

94%

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18 Reviews

95%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Under the Volcano charts the rise and fall of AIR Studios Montserrat, the recording studio at the center of the pop universe in the 1980s. Built by Beatles' producer Sir George Martin in 1979, AIR Studios Montserrat was a custom-built, state-of-the-art recording facility tucked away on a Caribbean paradise. In the shadow of an active volcano, the studio not only attracted the biggest musical talent on the planet, but was the birthplace of mega-hits such as Money for Nothing and Every Breath You Take. For a decade, AIR Montserrat formed the backdrop to monumental events in music history including the break-up of The Police, the reunion of The Rolling Stones, and the reinvigoration of Paul McCartney after the tragic murder of John Lennon. After a decade of hits, and at the peak of its popularity, the studio was destroyed when the island was hit by a series of devastating natural disasters. Through personal accounts and backed by a blistering soundtrack, Under the Volcano is the definitive account of George Martin's Studio at the end of the world, a place that generated a perfect storm of talent, technology and isolation, ushering in music that would live on long after the last tape rolled.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

We get a sense of island life, which was all about to change. The film argues that an era in music was ending too, with the shift from analogue to digital.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 9, 2021

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Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Almost 40 years later, it's hilarious to see Stewart Copeland speak of Sting with still-fresh feelings of exasperation, irritation and admiration.

Aug 19, 2021

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Chris Willman

Variety

The doc will be catnip to the class of record nerds who care about which great records came out of which bygone studios... and this one certainly offers better scenery than, say, the Van Nuys-set "Sound City."

Aug 18, 2021

Full Review

Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

there's much more to AIR Montserrat, and to the island, than what is shown in the film.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 26, 2023

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

While plenty of platinum-selling performers front up to pay homage to the studio and wax nostalgic for the cameras, the real stars of an enjoyable show are the laid-back Montserrat locals who worked on the AIR support crew.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 3, 2021

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

Gracie Otto's Under The Volcano is a breezy, gossipy, but nicely grounded documentar.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2021

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Chris V

The archival footage and the conversations with the bands and engineers are interesting enough to hold viewers. The title is a curious choice as the volcano was not the reason the studio closed, it was a hurricane, neglect and the changing music business that closed it, and it's influence on the music that was made there ventures too far into woo and mystical territory.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/18/25

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Carol B

I loved it, recorded it and watch it every couple of months. I breaks my heart that the jungle is reclaiming it, but everything ends. Great documentary!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For anyone interested in music overall, this is a MUST see show. Very enlightening, and after you watch it, you can hear the sound that emanated from this studio.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

AMAZING! Loved it. Highly highly recommended!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

Would like to have seen more scenes of Plymouth but old footage must be hard to find. There was a lovely old pub in wapping with a tree growing through the roof of the dining room where they served huge lobsters. One thing that was not mentioned was the tax advantage in setting up the studio which I would think was a deciding factor as there are plenty of other beautiful islands. I lived there 1973 1974 my husband worked for the tax department there and was partly instrumental in setting up a tax system that encouraged investment in the island as there were ver little employment opportunities for locals .

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved this movie. Had no idea so much hit music was produced on the little island of Montserrat.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/21

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Gracie Otto

Director

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Self

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Synopsis

Under the Volcano charts the rise and fall of AIR Studios Montserrat, the recording studio at the center of the pop universe in the 1980s. Built by Beatles' producer Sir George Martin in 1979, AIR Studios Montserrat was a custom-built, state-of-the-art recording facility tucked away on a Caribbean paradise. In the shadow of an active volcano, the studio not only attracted the biggest musical talent on the planet, but was the birthplace of mega-hits such as Money for Nothing and Every Breath You Take. For a decade, AIR Montserrat formed the backdrop to monumental events in music history including the break-up of The Police, the reunion of The Rolling Stones, and the reinvigoration of Paul McCartney after the tragic murder of John Lennon. After a decade of hits, and at the peak of its popularity, the studio was destroyed when the island was hit by a series of devastating natural disasters. Through personal accounts and backed by a blistering soundtrack, Under the Volcano is the definitive account of George Martin's Studio at the end of the world, a place that generated a perfect storm of talent, technology and isolation, ushering in music that would live on long after the last tape rolled.

Director: Gracie Otto
Producer: Cody Greenwood
Screenwriter: Cody Greenwood, Gracie Otto, Ian Shadwell, Ian Shadwell
Production Co: Rush Films
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 17, 2021
Runtime: 1h 37m

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