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Birth of the Beatles

  • 19791979
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
642
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Altman, Ray Ashcroft, Rod Culbertson, and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music
An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
642
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Richard Marquand
  • Writers
    • John Kurland(screenplay)
    • Jacob Eskendar(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Stephen MacKenna
    • Rod Culbertson
    • John Altman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Richard Marquand
  • Writers
    • John Kurland(screenplay)
    • Jacob Eskendar(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Stephen MacKenna
    • Rod Culbertson
    • John Altman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 17User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos15

    Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    John Altman, Ray Ashcroft, Rod Culbertson, and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    John Altman, Ray Ashcroft, Rod Culbertson, and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    John Altman, Rod Culbertson, and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    John Altman, Rod Culbertson, Stephen MacKenna, Michael Ryan, and David Wilkinson in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    Ray Ashcroft and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    John Altman, Ray Ashcroft, Rod Culbertson, and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    Stephen MacKenna and Wendy Morgan in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    John Altman, Ray Ashcroft, Rod Culbertson, and Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)
    Stephen MacKenna in Birth of the Beatles (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Stephen MacKenna
    Stephen MacKenna
    • John Lennonas John Lennon
    Rod Culbertson
    • Paul McCartneyas Paul McCartney
    John Altman
    John Altman
    • George Harrisonas George Harrison
    Ray Ashcroft
    • Ringo Starras Ringo Starr
    Michael Ryan
    Michael Ryan
    • Pete Bestas Pete Best
    • (as Ryan Michael)
    David Wilkinson
    David Wilkinson
    • Stu Sutcliffeas Stu Sutcliffe
    Brian Jameson
    • Brian Epsteinas Brian Epstein
    Wendy Morgan
    Wendy Morgan
    • Cynthiaas Cynthia
    Gary Olsen
    • Rory Stormas Rory Storm
    Linal Haft
    Linal Haft
    • Agentas Agent
    Eileen Kennally
    • Aunt Mimias Aunt Mimi
    Richard Marner
    Richard Marner
    • Club Bossas Club Boss
    Alyson Spiro
    Alyson Spiro
    • Astridas Astrid
    Nigel Havers
    Nigel Havers
    • George Martinas George Martin
    Jackie Fishel
    • Street Girlas Street Girl
    Claire Davenport
    • Nudeas Nude
    Brigitte Kahn
    • German Waitressas German Waitress
    Kate Saunders
    • Girl Fanas Girl Fan
    • Director
      • Richard Marquand
    • Writers
      • John Kurland(screenplay) (story)
      • Jacob Eskendar(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.
    • beat group
    • merseybeat
    • timeframe 1960s
    • the beatles
    • liverpudlian
    • 83 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The excitement of being there when it first happened!
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison all opposed the making of this film and wanted to be stopped and never to be released.
    • Goofs
      When the Beatles are in Hamburg in 1961, George Harrison sings "Don't Bother Me" on stage, the first song he wrote for the group but in actuality Harrison didn't write the song until 1963, and it was included on the Beatles' second album.
    • Quotes

      Paul McCartney: Hey, when you're rich and famous, what are you gonna be?

      George Harrison: A millionaire.

      Paul McCartney: And do what?

      George Harrison: Buy a bus for me dad! He's putting his foot down. Wants me working.

      John Lennon: Don't be thick! People die here... never knowing if they've ever lived. Well, you won't find me working 9 to 5.

    • Alternate versions
      A European version exists, and is a different cut from the American version. The following changes were made to the European version:
      • Some of the dialogue and text in this version is different.
      • The opening narration is now done by a British narrator, with the opening text superimposed on a black screen as opposed to a blue screen.
      • The prologue, which includes John saying that he wants to see Mickey Mouse is omitted.
      • The opening theme song is "My Bonnie" instead of "She Loves You".
      • A scene in an art school with a naked woman is included.
      • The scenes where The Beatles perform at Der Kaiserkiller are longer. They also include two additional song scenes: "Kansas City" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (the former has them trip on the stage floor, while the latter has them break it).
      • The scene where they find Stuart badly beaten has extra dialogue.
      • The scene where Stuart and Astrid have their moment in bed together is different. The other version has him showing her her new necklace, while this version, has the two of them making love to each other.
      • John's bedroom scene with Stuart has extra shots of the others in bed.
      • The scene where they first talk to Brian Epstein is a little bit longer.
      • The scene where Brian goes to find The Beatles performing "Love Me Do" at a venue is longer.
      • The scene where Brian goes to tell the Beatles about George Martin and EMI, has him getting out of a taxi.
      • In the scene where Cynthia tell John about expecting a baby, John asks her "What are we gonna call him?"
      • The scene where the Beatles arrive at New York City is longer.
      • The end credits feature "She Loves You", instead of "My Bonnie".
    • Connections
      Features The Ed Sullivan Show: Meet The Beatles (1964)
    • Soundtracks
      I Saw Her Standing There
      Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

      Performed by Rain (Eddie Lineberry, Chuck Coffey, Bill Connearney, and Steve Wight)

    User reviews17

    Review
    Top review
    Good reproduction of the times
    This is a rather overlooked film, though one with many good points. It goes through the now familiar story of the development of the Beatles, ending (I think) with the tragic death of Stu Sutcliffe. Unlike the later Backbeat, which, though a good film, was flawed by its 'arthouse' approach, Birth of the Beatles tells the story fairly straightly. I'd imagine that casual fans would be more interested in this then die hard fans. But check it out anyway - the performances (particularly that of John Lennon) are very good.
    helpful•16
    2
    • davidllewis
    • Nov 20, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 23, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El nacimiento de los Beatles
    • Filming locations
      • Hamburg, Germany
    • Production company
      • Dick Clark Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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