Backbeat Movie Review 1994

Backed by the beat of early Beatle tunes as rendered by some of today's top alternative musicians, the debut for director Softley explores the Fab Four's beginnings in Hamburg's underground music scene. Storyline is driven by the complications of a romantic triangle between John Lennon, Astrid Kirchherr (the photographer who came up with the band's signature look) and Stu Sutcliffe, Lennon's best friend and the original bass player for the Beatles. Hart's dead-on as Lennon, playing him a second time (check out "The Hours and Times"). Energetic and enjoyable, particularly when the Was-produced music takes center stage.

Distribution

USA Home Entertainment, 1 W. Forest, Englewood, NJ 07631-4004, Phone: (201)871-1000, URL: http://www.polygram-us.com

Available on VHS
Running time 100 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Biopics: Musicians, Rock Flicks, Period Piece: 1960s, Germany, Nightclubs, True Stories, Buddies, Rock Stars on Film, Shutterbugs, Art & Artists, Struggling Musicians, Beatlesfilm

Screenplay

Michael Thomas, Stephen Ward, Iain Softley

Cast

Stephen Dorff, Sheryl Lee, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell, Chris O'Neill, Scot Williams, Kai Wiesinger, Jennifer Ehle

Cinematography

Ian Wilson

Director

Iain Softley

Music

Don Was

Producer

Stephen Woolley, Finola Dwyer, Nik Powell, Polygram, England Channel 4 London, Royal Films International, Gramercy Pictures