Backbeat movie 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…
Backbeat is a 1994 Anglo-German drama film directed by Iain Softley. It chronicles the early days of the Beatles in Hamburg, Germany. The film focuses primarily on the relationship between Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff) and John Lennon (Ian Hart), and also with Sutcliffe’s German girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr (Sheryl Lee). It has subsequently been made into a stage production.
Backbeat (1994)
Directed by: Iain Softley
Starring: Stephen Dorff, Sheryl Lee, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell, Chris O’Neill, Jennifer Ehle, Marcelle Duprey, Bernard Merrick, Finola Geraghty, Charlie Caine
Screenplay by: Iain Softley, Stephen Ward
Production Design by: Joseph Bennett
Cinematography by: Ian Wilson
Film Editing by: Martin Walsh
Costume Design by: Sheena Napier
Set Decoration by: Barbara Herman-Skelding
Art Direction by: Michael Carlin, Josef Plagge
Music by: Don Was
MPAA Rating: R for strong language, and for sexuality.
Distributed by: Gramercy Pictures
Release Date: April 14, 1994
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