Under the Volcano

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2:08

Under the Volcano

2021,

1h 37m,

Documentary/

Music

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94%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

100%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

100%

Popcornmeter

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.

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Sep 9, 2021

3.5/5

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.

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Glenn Kenny

New York Times

Aug 19, 2021

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

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Chris Willman

Variety

Aug 18, 2021

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."

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Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

Aug 26, 2023

3/5

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

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Sep 3, 2021

3.5/5

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.

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

Sep 1, 2021

4/5

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

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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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