A dramatization of the Hamburg, Germany phase of The Beatles' early history.
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Title: Backbeat (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 |
Learn more
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Plot Summary
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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:
He Had To Choose Between His Best Friend... The Woman He Loved... And The Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band In the World. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong language, and for sexuality | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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John Lennon: Blondes have more fun.
Stuart Sutcliffe: Says who?
John Lennon: Swedes.
See more »
Written by Johnny Mercer
Composed by Victor Schertzinger
© 1942 Paramount Music Corp/Famous Music Corps
By kind permission of Warner Chappell Music Ltd
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
During the montage of The Beatles performing at the club, there is intercutting of strippers performing on the stage. The Beatles often alternated their performances with other bands and strippers. In many accounts of their days in Hamburg, it's said that not only were there female strippers, but transvestite strippers as well. See more »Goofs
The train carriage at Hamburg station has a date of 22.2.90 stenciled at the bottom. This will be the date of the last full service, 3 years before filming but 30 years after the action. See more »Quotes
Stuart Sutcliffe: I like the blonde but I prefer the brunette.John Lennon: Blondes have more fun.
Stuart Sutcliffe: Says who?
John Lennon: Swedes.
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 »Connections
Featured in At the Movies: Serial Mom/White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf/Cops & Robbersons/Backbeat/32 Short Films About Glen Gould (1994) See more »Soundtracks
I Remember YouWritten by Johnny Mercer
Composed by Victor Schertzinger
© 1942 Paramount Music Corp/Famous Music Corps
By kind permission of Warner Chappell Music Ltd
See more »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Release Date:
15 April 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A kezdetek See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$126,740, 17 April 1994Gross USA:
$2,392,589Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$2,392,589Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1Contribute to This Page
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It's 1960 Liverpool. Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) is a painter and John Lennon (Ian Hart) is his best friend. Stuart joins the early Beatles on the bass going to Hamburg, Germany on their first oversea trip along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best. German photographer Astrid Kirchherr (Sheryl Lee) introduces Sutcliffe to her avant-garde circle. Her influence and his poor playing cause friction within the band and his relationship with Lennon.
This is a Beatles movie without the cooperation of some of main players. Lennon is the leader. McCartney is a bit of wet blanket which probably annoyed the real Paul. I love the performances of Dorff and Hart. Also I love the two men's deep friendship. This is a deep bromance movie.