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Backbeat

Play trailer Poster for Backbeat R Released Apr 15, 1994 1h 40m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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.
Backbeat

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (213) audience reviews
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 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 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 Audience Member A movie that is more about the 5th forgotten Beatle member from the early days, Stuart Sutcliffe. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review david f A really interesting and arty look at the Beatles before they were famous when they were living in Hamburg and performing nightly in a filthy bar on the Reeperbahn. It explores their relationships with some avant-garde Germans as well as within the group. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Backbeat

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Finola Dwyer, Stephen Woolley, Sarah Curtis, Stephen M. Williams
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
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround