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IMDbPro

Beat Street

  • 19841984
  • PGPG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Beat Street (1984)
An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture.
Play trailer1:30
1 Video
44 Photos
  • Drama
  • Music
An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture.An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture.An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Stan Lathan
  • Writers
    • Steven Hager(story by)
    • Andrew Davis(screenplay by)
    • David Gilbert(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Rae Dawn Chong
    • Guy Davis
    • Jon Chardiet
Top credits
  • Director
    • Stan Lathan
  • Writers
    • Steven Hager(story by)
    • Andrew Davis(screenplay by)
    • David Gilbert(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Rae Dawn Chong
    • Guy Davis
    • Jon Chardiet
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 37User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:30
    Official Trailer

    Photos44

    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Rae Dawn Chong in Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rae Dawn Chong
    Rae Dawn Chong
    • Tracy
    Guy Davis
    • Kenny
    Jon Chardiet
    Jon Chardiet
    • Ramon
    Leon W. Grant
    • Chollie
    Saundra Santiago
    Saundra Santiago
    • Carmen
    Robert Taylor
    Robert Taylor
    • Lee
    Mary Alice
    Mary Alice
    • Cora
    • (as Mary Alice Smith)
    Shawn Elliott
    Shawn Elliott
    • Domingo
    • (as Shawn Elliot)
    Jim Borrelli
    • Monte
    Dean Elliott
    • Henry
    Franc Reyes
    • Luis
    Tonya Pinkins
    Tonya Pinkins
    • Angela
    Lee Chamberlin
    Lee Chamberlin
    • Alicia
    Antonia Rey
    Antonia Rey
    • Flora
    Duane Jones
    Duane Jones
    • Robert
    Hope Clarke
    Hope Clarke
    • Dancing Instructor
    Gina Belafonte
    Gina Belafonte
    • Elizabeth
    Kimry Smith
    • Erika
    • Director
      • Stan Lathan
    • Writers
      • Steven Hager(story by)
      • Andrew Davis(screenplay by)
      • David Gilbert(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Most of the graffiti art that was displayed all throughout the film was not done by real graffiti artists - it was airbrushed by set decorators, however, two grafitti artists were hired as creative consultants for the film, including Bill Cordero - aka "Blast", and Lonny Wood - aka "Phase II", (who is also referenced in the movie, during the subway graffiti scene)
    • Goofs
      When Spit tags over Ramo's burner with the Dyer Ave train, you can see the "Sp" in "Spit" from a previous take.
    • Quotes

      Kenny 'Double K' Kirkland: This ain't New York, this the Bronx!

    • Alternate versions
      UK theatrical prints were edited by four seconds to obtain a "PG" rating. The 1986 and 2002 video releases were uncut and received a "15" classification, though in 2008 the rating was downgraded to "12," again without cuts.
    • Connections
      Edited into Destination Planet Rock (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Beat Street Breakdown
      Composed by Melle Mel, Reggie Griffin, Sylvia Robinson

      Performed by Melle Mel

    User reviews37

    Review
    Top review
    As a film, awful-- as a document, outstanding.
    It's fine to appreciate this film through the sieve of nostalgia. Even I have a hard time viewing this film without reciting all the words- I've seen it many many times. But the important thing to note here is that while Harry Belafonte made a noble effort to shape a story out of the Bronx's greatest cultural export, it's only successful half of the time. The result is a film that garners lots of groaning through scenes while waiting for the 'good parts'. Rae Dawn Chong is flimsy and ineffective as usual, in the role of the dance school instructor who 'discovers' Lee and KK. The ensuing romance that KK and Tracy have is terribly trite and makes for sleepy viewing. Likewise the sopping wet story of Ramon and his girlfriend, who have a child and disapproving parents. Heavy handed and poorly acted to boot- even for the time period. All the graffiti was designed by stage painters, and looks like it- distant and plastic. This is a depiction of a corny world indeed.

    What Beat Street is notable for, is managing to compile many notable music artists and b-boys/b-girls in performance. The Rock Steady and NY Breakers footage, the Us Girls group assembled for this film, Busy Bee, Melle Mel and the Furious Five, Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force, Tina B., Brenda Starr, Treacherous Three and Doug E. Fresh- there's loads of it which greatly outweighs the mindless fluff of the so-called plot. The soundtrack (co-produced by Arthur Baker of "Planet Rock" fame) is extremely notable as well. It was originally sold in 2 volumes, and while each record has several watery ballads, the classic songs like "Frantic Situation", "Son of Beat Street", "Santa's Rap" and "Battle Cry" are very much worth the purchase.

    If you're like me and miss 'old New York' (it was only 20 or so years ago but NY is totally different) it's really great to see painted trains, old street scenes and the Roxy. Beat Street has been contrasted to Wild Style many times, especially with the scorn of Beat Street being the Hollywood retread of Wild Style's gritty budgeted reality. This might be the case, but it would seem that Beat Street has a better focus on b-boying (breakdance) whereas Wild Style's actual graffiti by famed writers remains the strong point of that film. There's a hokey wholesomeness present in Beat Street that just isn't realistic. Regardless, Beat Street is certainly worth viewing- particularly when it pops up on TV- but be prepared for some stale, hackneyed drama strewn into the great music and killer scenes.

    "Beat Street Breakdown--- RUAHHH!!!"
    helpful•29
    6
    • tonypuma
    • Jan 11, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 8, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Perfect Beat
    • Filming locations
      • Fresh Pond Road Train Station, Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,595,791
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,218,040
      • Jun 10, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,595,791
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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