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IMDbPro

That'll Be the Day

  • 1973
  • PG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
That'll Be the Day (1973)
DramaMusic

Musical drama set in the 1950s ,starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, loosely-based on John Lennon's early years. A gifted but wayward young man finally discovers a sense of purpose when he ... Read allMusical drama set in the 1950s ,starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, loosely-based on John Lennon's early years. A gifted but wayward young man finally discovers a sense of purpose when he decides to turn his love of music into a career.Musical drama set in the 1950s ,starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, loosely-based on John Lennon's early years. A gifted but wayward young man finally discovers a sense of purpose when he decides to turn his love of music into a career.

  • Director
    • Claude Whatham
  • Writer
    • Ray Connolly
  • Stars
    • David Essex
    • Ringo Starr
    • Rosemary Leach
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    1.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Claude Whatham
    • Writer
      • Ray Connolly
    • Stars
      • David Essex
      • Ringo Starr
      • Rosemary Leach
    • 30User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos22

    That'll Be the Day (1973)
    David Essex in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    That'll Be the Day (1973)
    David Essex and Verna Harvey in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    David Essex in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    David Essex and Robert Lindsay in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    Keith Moon and David Essex in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    David Essex and Rosemary Leach in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    Rosalind Ayres and David Essex in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    Sara Clee and David Essex in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    Deborah Watling in That'll Be the Day (1973)
    Billy Fury in That'll Be the Day (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    David Essex
    David Essex
    • Jim MacLaine
    Ringo Starr
    Ringo Starr
    • Mike
    Rosemary Leach
    Rosemary Leach
    • Mrs. MacLaine
    James Booth
    James Booth
    • Mr. MacLaine
    Billy Fury
    Billy Fury
    • Stormy Tempest
    Keith Moon
    Keith Moon
    • J.D. Clover
    Rosalind Ayres
    Rosalind Ayres
    • Jeanette
    Robert Lindsay
    Robert Lindsay
    • Terry
    Brenda Bruce
    Brenda Bruce
    • Doreen
    Verna Harvey
    Verna Harvey
    • Wendy
    James Ottaway
    James Ottaway
    • Granddad
    Deborah Watling
    Deborah Watling
    • Sandra
    Beth Morris
    Beth Morris
    • Jean
    Daphne Oxenford
    • Mrs. Sutcliffe
    Kim Braden
    Kim Braden
    • Charlotte
    Ron Hackett
    • Policeman
    Johnny Shannon
    Johnny Shannon
    • Jack
    Karl Howman
    • Johnny Swinburn
    • Director
      • Claude Whatham
    • Writer
      • Ray Connolly
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie seen by Jim (David Essex) and Jeanette (Rosalind Ayres) at the cinema is Horrors of the Black Museum (1959).
    • Goofs
      Jim MacLaine produces an LP he has been waiting "months to play", and we see it is Buddy Hollyy's first album. However, when he puts it on the record player, the music we hear is "Donna" by Ritchie Valens.
    • Quotes

      Mike: You'll like Bath... better class of fuck in Bath.

    • Connections
      Features Horrors of the Black Museum (1959)
    • Soundtracks
      Rock On
      Written and Sung by David Essex

      (End credits, American release)

    User reviews30

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    the not so John Lennon
    It's late 50's Britain. Jim MacLaine (David Essex) is a smart restless teen. His father came home after the war but left the family when he was a kid. He grew up with his mother (Rosemary Leach) and grandfather who has a small general store. He quits school and runs away to a nearby coastal vacation town. He works odd jobs and befriends fellow worker Mike (Ringo Starr). The aloft teenager becomes a lady's man working at the carnival.

    Some considers this a fictional story inspired by pre-Beatles John Lennon. I think the involvement of Ringo Starr had led people to make that connection. I have to say that this is no John Lennon. He's a sad angry character. In fact, I wondered if the film was going to push him over the edge to become a serial killer. More than anything, he doesn't play an instrument until the last scene suggests it. He writes some poetry which could be song lyrics but I envision Lennon to be much more musical than this.

    This is simply a dark coming-of-age story. His restlessness fits both the 50's and the 70's. There is something compelling about David Essex's performance and something off-putting. It's compelling. The story meanders but so does Jim. This is a fascinating British film.
    helpful•4
    0
    • SnoopyStyle
    • Sep 4, 2021

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 13, 1973 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Trau keinem über 18
    • Filming locations
      • Isle of Wight, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Goodtimes Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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