Pirates of Silicon Valley

During the 1971 UC Berkeley anti-war riot, Jobs and Wozniak flee through the campus chaos. Jobs proclaims that the real revolutionaries are the ones who change the world, not the loud protesters. Wozniak notes Jobs’s ability to see deeper meanings in things, hinting at his future sensibility as a creator.

In the early 1970s, Jobs and Wozniak begin Apple in the garage of Jobs’s family home, aided by Daniel and Elizabeth. They sketch out a bold vision for personal computing, far from conventional corporate paths. The humble workshop becomes the cradle of a company that will redefine the industry.

Mike Markkula provides critical funding and strategic guidance, turning a garage project into a scalable venture. His involvement brings credibility and momentum, enabling hires and initial product development. The team now has the resources to pursue ambitious hardware and software goals.

Jobs, Wozniak, and Markkula demo the Apple II at the West Coast Computer Faire, signaling Apple’s formal entry into the growing personal-computer market. The crowd sees the powerful combination of accessible design and expanding software. The demo marks a turning point from hobbyist gadget to consumer product.

The team’s work is influenced by Xerox PARC, and the seed of the Lisa and Macintosh projects is planted. Jobs envisions a modern, user-friendly machine that can transform daily life. The mix of research inspiration and entrepreneurial drive fuels Apple’s design philosophy.

During the October 1983 Apple keynote, Jobs previews the 1984 Macintosh and signals the coming revolution. He learns that Microsoft has secured a licensing deal in Japan for Windows, intensifying rivalrous dynamics. The moment crystallizes the clash between Apple’s closed ecosystem and Microsoft’s expanding reach.

Jobs’s relationship with Arlene (Chrisann Brennan) and the question of Lisa’s paternity are explored as he unveils the Lisa computer. The personal and professional realms collide, shaping his motivations and ambitions. The era blends family dynamics with groundbreaking product development.

The Lisa gives way to the Macintosh as Apple pushes toward a mainstream, easier-to-use computer. The Macintosh inherits the Xerox lineage but aims to redefine desktop computing. The 1984 launch and its iconic advertising become central to Apple’s public identity.

Tension peaks as Jobs accuses Gates of ripping off Apple’s design, while Gates defends Microsoft’s contractual rights and cites similar moves by Apple toward Xerox. The rivalry embodies the broader competition that defined the PC era. The debate underscores the frictions behind rapid technological change.

On his 30th birthday, Jobs gives a toast, only to be forced out of Apple by CEO John Sculley. The power shift forces him to leave the company he helped create, but plants the seeds for his later comeback. The event marks a painful but pivotal turning point in his career.

Years later, Jobs returns to Apple following the NeXT acquisition, stepping back into a leadership role to guide the company’s reinvention. The move signals a shift from exile to revival as Apple reimagines its strategy. The company begins rebuilding under his vision.

At Macworld Expo 1997, Jobs announces an alliance between Apple and Microsoft, a pragmatic partnership that helps stabilize Apple’s finances and software landscape. The deal brings Microsoft apps to the Mac, changing the industry dynamics. The collaboration marks a new era of coexistence between rivals.

The film closes by noting Jobs is now married, has children, and has reconciled with Lisa. This personal renewal runs alongside his professional resurgence, underscoring a fuller recovery of his once-fractured relationships. The timeline ends with a sense of balance between his private and public life.