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Beat Street

  • 19841984
  • PGPG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
14,197
505
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
DramaMusic
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
POPULARITY
14,197
505
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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

    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
    • Production, box office & more 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
    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Snapshot of Old School Hip-hop
    The Harry Belafonte-produced "Beat Street" captured a slice of hip-hop back when it was dancing, graffiti, DJing and rapping not just rapping. The story line is hokey but the music performances and dancing are great. Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc, Kool Moe Dee and Melle Mel are among the artists that make an appearance. A decent way to check out hip-hop before NWA spoiled it all.
    helpful•12
    4
    • vvanpo
    • Feb 10, 2003

    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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