A dramatization of the Hamburg, Germany phase of The Beatles' early history.
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Title: Backbeat, Geração Inquieta (1994)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Sheryl Lee | ... | Astrid Kirchherr | |
| Stephen Dorff | ... | Stuart Sutcliffe | |
| Ian Hart | ... | John Lennon | |
| Gary Bakewell | ... | Paul McCartney | |
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Chris O'Neill | ... | George Harrison |
| Scot Williams | ... | Pete Best | |
| Kai Wiesinger | ... | Klaus Voormann | |
| Jennifer Ehle | ... | Cynthia Powell | |
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Marcelle Duprey | ... | Singer |
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John White | ... | Sailor 1 |
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Bernard Merrick | ... | Sailor 2 |
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Nicholas Tennant | ... | Sailor 3 |
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Finola Geraghty | ... | Model |
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Rob Spendlove | ... | Arthur Ballard |
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Charlie Caine | ... | Lord Woodbine |
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
A pre-fame Beatles head for the seedy clubs of Hamburg in search of success. The band meet up with a group of trendy German beatniks, one of whom (Astrid Kircherr) bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe falls in love with. Whilst best friend John Lennon can only watch, Sutcliffe has to choose between rock 'n roll and a new life in Germany... Written by Douglas Baptie
Taglines:
5 guys, 4 legends, 3 lovers, 2 friends, 1 band. See more »Parents Guide:
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John Lennon: Fun? You call that fun?
Klaus Voormann: What do you call it?
John Lennon: I call it three days and nights without sleep. I call it too long between drinks. I call it dying for a piss. I call it hard fuckin' day's night.
Klaus Voormann: Is he always like this?
Stuart Sutcliffe: No. You'd be surprised. He can be quite bitter and twisted.
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Written & Composed by Chuck Berry
© 1958 ABC Music Corp New York
By kind permission of Jewel Music Publishing Co Ltd
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Did You Know?
Trivia
"My Bonnie" as heard performed in studio is the original Tony Sheridan version with The Beatles backing him. See more »Goofs
There are at least one movie posters visible, that aren't from that period. "Svezia, inferno e paradiso" (aka Sweden: Heaven and Hell) movie released in 1968, and it can seen in movie theatre scene (At 01:05). See more »Quotes
Klaus Voormann: I liked your show. You had fun.John Lennon: Fun? You call that fun?
Klaus Voormann: What do you call it?
John Lennon: I call it three days and nights without sleep. I call it too long between drinks. I call it dying for a piss. I call it hard fuckin' day's night.
Klaus Voormann: Is he always like this?
Stuart Sutcliffe: No. You'd be surprised. He can be quite bitter and twisted.
See more »
Crazy Credits
At the very end of the end titles, long after all the other music credits have run, one last music credit appears on the otherwise blank screen: "TIME TO GO HOME, Written by Maria Bird, Published by Minder Music." See more »Soundtracks
CarolWritten & Composed by Chuck Berry
© 1958 ABC Music Corp New York
By kind permission of Jewel Music Publishing Co Ltd
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Release Date:
1 July 1994 (Portugal) See more »Also Known As:
Backbeat, Geração Inquieta See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$126,740, 17 April 1994Gross USA:
$2,392,589Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$2,392,589Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1Contribute to This Page
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I think that it's especially appropriate that "Backbeat" was released right after the 30th anniversary of the Beatles coming to America: everyone was remembering them, and then a really good movie shows their early days. Specifically, it focuses on when they went to Hamburg and met artsy photographer Astrid Kirchherr. I should identify that this movie is for mature audiences only: aside from the language and sex, it shows how John, Paul, George, Pete, and Stu got addicted to speed so that they could keep playing; as a result, they got little sleep and their eyes got all glassy as they laid awake.
A really effective scene is right after Stu leaves the Beatles. Hoping to devote his life to art, he goes out and gets all drunk. Around this time, East Germany's government erects the Berlin Wall. Watching it on TV, Astrid and Klaus hold hands to be supportive of each other. When Stu sees this, he gets all violent. This scene - possibly more than any other in the movie - shows his mental breakdown.
All in all, a great movie. We also see that they first met Ringo in Hamburg. I'm sure that we'll all be remembering "Backbeat" for years to come. Rock on, lads!