Backbeat (1994)

Director: Iain Softley  Starring: Sheryl Lee  Stephen Dorff  
Currently Unavailable: This item is currently unavailable from the Manufacturer.
Format: DVD
Also Available: DVD Special Edition $16.87 
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Product Summary
Publisher: Universal
Format: DVD
UPC: 00025192123320
Buy.com Sku: 40222681
Item#: VT35T2
Category Keywords: 1960s  Beatles  Friends  Racy  Recommended  Rock And Roll  Romance  Theatrical Release  True Story 
Rating: 
 
5 guys, 4 legends, 3 lovers, 2 friends, 1 band.
 
 
Features: DVD, Dolby, Digital Audio, English, Spanish, French, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
 
Directed by Iain Softley (K-PAX), Backbeat is an energetic, musical drama chronicling the pre-fame Beatles as they head to Hamburg in search of success. As they gain popularity, the "fifth Beatle," bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff), falls in love and ultimately must choose between his best friend John Lennon, his new love (Sheryl Lee) and the greatest rock and roll band in the world.

Full of vitality and heart, with a soundtrack that includes rock and roll classics, including music from Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), David Pirner (Soul Asylum) and Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Backbeat is a thrilling spectacle that rocks the house, "Defiant, raucous, erotic." (Rolling Stone)
 


Editor's Note

This hard-driving, energetic drama chronicling the Beatles' ascendance to fame in Hamburg's club circuit centers on "fifth Beatle" Stu Sutcliffe and his close relationship to John Lennon. Driven by art rather than music, Sutcliffe ultimately must choose between his true passion and certain superstardom.


Plot Summary

A reconstruction of the legendary British rock group's early days, before the advent of Beatlemania and world-wide fame.| The story focuses on the turbulent and exciting period that the Beatles' spent in Hamburg, Germany in 1960-62, when they played in a series of rough-and-tumble dives and came into contact with cutting-edge artists. Among them was photographer Astrid Kirchherr, who helped shape the group's image, and with whom both John Lennon and former Beatle Stu Sutcliffe fell in love.| Ultimately, Sutcliffe left the group, making way for the success of one of the greatest phenomena in rock music history.

 

Features
Audio: English, French Dolby Surround
Subtitles: French, Spanish
Widescreen Version
Casting Session
Photo Gallery
Recommendations
Interview With Iain Softley And Ian Hart
Director's Essay
TV Featurette
Feature Commentary With Director Iaian Softley
Deleted Scenes
Iain Softley Interview For The Sundance Channel
 
Technical Info

Release Information
Studio: Universal
Release Date: 8/12/2003
Running Time: 140 minutes
Original Release Date: 1994
Catalog ID: 21233
UPC: 00025192123320
Number of Discs: 1

Audio & Video
Original Language: English
Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed
Available Subtitles: French, Spanish
Video: Color

Aspect Ratio
1.85:1

 
Cast & Crew
Gary Bakewell
Sheryl Lee
Stephen Dorff
Ian Hart
Ian Wilson - Cinematographer
Iain Softley - Director
Martin Walsh - Editor
Stephen Woolley - Producer
Finola Dwyer - Producer
Michael Thomas - Writer
Iain Softley - Writer
Stephen Ward - Writer

 
Professional Reviews
Premiere
"...Any old way you choose it, the music still kills..." 04/01/1994 p.28

Sight and Sound
"...Fleshing out this engaging cartoon is an excellent performance by Ian Hart..." 04/01/1994 p.35-6

New York Times
"...Lively, galvanizing and unexpectedly well made....[Softley] has done a fond, imaginative job..." 04/15/1994 p.C15

Entertainment Weekly
"...An exhilarating surprise....As thrilling as it is original..." -- Rating: A 04/15/1994 pp.38-40

Los Angeles Times
"...It's lively and full of good music and it plays around with a fascinating subject..." 04/15/1994 p.F1

Rolling Stone
"BACKBEAT nails the era's speed-fueled rocker spirit while mining the consequences of an artist following his bliss." 01/27/2005 p.66

Uncut
"[I]t's Ian Hart as the young Lennon who steals the show." 07/01/2005 p.137

  
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