It was the 1980s. A period when the world underwent a total transformation. It was then personal computers, the most revolutionary discovery of the century, happened. And, the market witnessed the entry of two front-runners- Microsoft and Apple.
The story of Gates & Jobs
Released in 1999, Pirates of Silicon Valley takes the audience through the friendship and rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, brains behind Apple and Microsoft. Directed by Martyn Burke, Pirates of Silicon Valley was launched on television as a biographical drama. Later, it released in theatres. The movie is based on the book Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer by Michael Swaine.
Noah Wyle and Anthony Michael Hall appear as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates respectively. The film narrates the life of the founders of Apple and Microsoft and their on-and-off relationship.
Macintosh and Microsoft
When Steve introduced the operating system Macintosh, Bill came up with the Windows. There were times the two giants collaborated. The 1997 MacWorld Expo is an instance. In the movie, Steve Jobs is seen announcing a new deal with Microsoft at the expo. The movie also looks into Steve and Bill’s early years, mainly the campus days in early 70s that shaped their visions. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates showed unique entrepreneurial skills.
While one maintained quality in sales, other excelled as a master coder. Steve’s character is revealed through Steve Wozniak, his friend from the campus. He says Steve Jobs looked for the universe and its spirituality even in circuit boards.
The beginning and the reign
Apple took birth in a garage next to Steve Jobs’ home. The company grew with the investment by Mark Markkula. In between, Microsoft entered the scene with the Windows. In a short span, Apple and Microsoft began to reign the personal computer market. Pirates of Silicon Valley delves deep into all these aspects.
