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Absolute Beginners (1986)

PG_13  108 min  -  Drama | Fantasy | Musical   -  18 April 1986 (USA)
5.4
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Ratings: 5.4/10 from 1,529 users  
Reviews: 35 user | 11 critic

A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes' novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer Colin is hopelessly in love with model Crepe Suzette... See full summary »

Director:

Julien Temple

Writers:

Richard Burridge, Michael Hamlyn (developer), and 4 more credits »

Stars:

Patsy Kensit, Eddie O'Connell and David Bowie
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Still of Patsy Kensit and Eddie O'Connell in Absolute Beginners Still of Patsy Kensit and Eddie O'Connell in Absolute Beginners
15 photos | 1 video | 8 news articles | full cast and crew »

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patsy Kensit Patsy Kensit ...
Eddie O'Connell Eddie O'Connell ...
Colin, Photographer / Narrator
David Bowie ...
James Fox ...
Henley of Mayfair, Dressmaker to the Queen
Ray Davies ...
Arthur, Colin's Dad
Mandy Rice-Davies Mandy Rice-Davies ...
Flora
Eve Ferret Eve Ferret ...
Big Jill
Tony Hippolyte Tony Hippolyte ...
Mr. Cool
Graham Fletcher-Cook Graham Fletcher-Cook ...
Wizard
Joseph McKenna Joseph McKenna ...
Fabulous Hoplite (as Joe McKenna)
Steven Berkoff ...
The Fanatic
Sade ...
Athene Duncannon (as Sade Adu)
Edward Tudor-Pole Edward Tudor-Pole ...
Ed the Ted (as Tenpole Tudor)
Bruce Payne ...
Flikker
Alan Freeman Alan Freeman ...
Call-Me-Cobber
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes' novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer Colin is hopelessly in love with model Crepe Suzette, but her relationships are strictly connected with her progress in the fashion world. So Colin gets involved with a pop promoter and tries to crack the big time. Meanwhile, racial tension is brewing in Colin's Notting Hill housing estate... Written by Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Model | 1950s | Fashion | Photographer | Telephone  | See more »

Taglines:

Welcome to the world of your dreams! See more »

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Absolute Beginners - The Musical See more »

Filming Locations:

Albert Bridge, Battersea, London, England, UK See more »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$83,743 (USA) (20 April 1986) (4 Screens)

Gross:

$1,010,313 (Germany)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goldcrest Films International, Palace Pictures, Virgin See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Black and White  | Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

After submitting the film for a 15 certificate producer Stephen Woolley was contacted by the BBFC and told that Patsy Kensit had revealed a nipple in one of the film's scenes. Despite Woolley's assurance that this was not the case because Kensit had been insistent during filming about not revealing her body, UK censor James Ferman painstakingly trawled through the movie using a BBFC "freeze frame" machine until he was finally convinced that the original information was incorrect. Only then did he grant the film an uncut certificate. See more »

Goofs

Boom mic visible: When Harry Charms is auditioning young singers with Colin, there is a boom mic visible when Harry and Colin first enter the studio. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Colin: [narrating] I remember that hot, wonderful summer. When the teenage miracle reached full bloom and everyone in England stopped what they were doing to stare at what had happened. The Soho nights were cool in the heat, with light and music in the streets. And we couldn't believe that this was really coming to us at last...
See more »

Connections

Referenced in A Personal History of British Cinema by Stephen Frears (1997) See more »

Soundtracks

"So What (Lyric Version)"
Written by Miles Davis / Smiley Culture
Performed by Smiley Culture See more »