Backbeat

R

Released Apr 15, 1994

1 hr. 40 min.

Drama

List

68%

41 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1960, close friends Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (Ian Hart), along with bandmates Paul McCartney (Gary Bakewell), George Harrison (Chris O'Neill), and Pete Best (Scot Williams), move to Hamburg, Germany, in search of success. Their tireless performing schedule and charismatic sound quickly put the Beatles on the road to stardom. But as Stuart falls in love with Astrid (Sheryl Lee), a local photographer, he realizes his commitment to the band isn't as strong as he thought.

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Critics Consensus

Its overly pretentious and melodramatic leanings notwithstanding, Backbeat explores the beginnings of the Fab Four with striking authenticity, soaring rock 'n' roll verve, and a strong admiration for its subjects.

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isla s

This was an interesting biopic. Its quite good as a period drama I guess and it features some pretty energetic musical numbers. I certainly enjoyed the live music and the banter between the various characters, although the detective/PI type music played in the background at times was a bit over the top in one scene I felt. I wasn't very familiar with Stuart Sutcliffe, so seeing his life depicted was interesting. I can't say I knew a lot about the early days of the Beatles, so it was interesting from that perspective. The cast do a pretty good job (I was surprised quite how much Gary Bakewell looked like Paul McCartney) and its certainly an entertaining watch, so yes, I'd recommend it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Abdul R

One of the best Beatles movies imo. It's interesting with a movie about the band before they got popular across the globe. Fun with a story about all 5 of them too!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/22

Full Review

Audience Member

A well performed and unique look at the lost, would-be Beatle, and the band, as they struggle to make their mark and deal with the fallout of possible misplaced love and expectations. It's not the kind of story you always see with music biopics, and I appreciate it for that.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/04/21

Full Review

Audience Member

On the one hand, when I think of the Silver Beatles in Hamburg, I definitely imagine that they sounded like middling mid-90s alt-rock and not, say, "Bésame Mucho" (cha-cha-boom). On the other hand, though, I'm grateful for the epilogue text explaining that the Beatles became the biggest group in the world (since I've been living under a rock rock), that Pete Best "left the group" before Ringo joined, and that John was murdered.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

the movie h

Movie Rating: 6/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great film, lacks accuracy but why let the truth get in the way of a good story! Raw energy and great performances throughout and a really top soundtrack that will introduce casual beatles fans to the pure rock and roll of the early years in Hamburg. On a side note, it was because of this film that i had my stag do on the reeperbahn!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Iain Softley

Director

Sheryl Lee

Astrid Kirchherr

Stephen Dorff

Stuart Sutcliffe

Ian Hart

John Lennon

Gary Bakewell

Paul McCartney

Chris O'Neill

George Harrison

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Nicole Arthur

Chicago Reader

The truth often undercuts the film’s simplistic notions about true love and about friendship.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 6, 2022

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Get back, get back to where you once belonged, you want to shout. But the movie is stuck in the wrong groove.

Apr 4, 2018

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

There's nothing very profound here, but we do at least get a nice handling of period and milieu, and pretty good performances of the songs.

Sep 10, 2007

Full Review

Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

If there is a ‘most valuable player’ to this film it is Ian Hart, who blends an uncannily accurate voice with perfectly mimicked mannerisms and an impressive depth of character.

Rated: 7/10

Apr 17, 2024

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

When we have a comprehensive documentary available in the form of The Beatles Anthology, films like Backbeat end up serving as a moot point.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 1, 2019

Full Review

Mike McGranaghan

Aisle Seat

Why would anyone would want to see a movie about the pre-fame Beatles when the post-fame Beatles had enough drama and excitement to fill several movies.

Rated: 1.5/4

Feb 24, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

In 1960, close friends Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (Ian Hart), along with bandmates Paul McCartney (Gary Bakewell), George Harrison (Chris O'Neill), and Pete Best (Scot Williams), move to Hamburg, Germany, in search of success. Their tireless performing schedule and charismatic sound quickly put the Beatles on the road to stardom. But as Stuart falls in love with Astrid (Sheryl Lee), a local photographer, he realizes his commitment to the band isn't as strong as he thought.

Director: Iain Softley
Executive Producer: Hanno Huth, Nik Powell
Distributor: Gramercy Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 15, 1994, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 12, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.7M
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround