Backbeat

Starring:Marcelle Duprey, Stephen Dorff, Ian Hart, John White (II), Bernard Merrick, Nicholas Tennant, Finola Geraghty, Rob Spendlove, Charlie Caine, Jennifer Ehle, Gary Bakewell, Chris O'Neill (IV), Frieda Kelly, Scot Williams, Paul Humpoletz, Christiana Uriarte, Abigail Wrapson, Galit Hershkovitz, Gertan Klauber, Stephan Grothgar
Director: Iain Softley
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Ian Hart's second performance as John Lennon (the first was the little-seen The Hours and Times) commands attention in this marvelous musical bio of the Beatles in Hamburg directly before their stardom. The focus is on the "5th Beatle," Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff), a bluesy bass guitar player who finds Germany has more interesting things (art and a woman) than music. The woman, Astrid (Sheryl Lee), chronicles the early years of the Beatles, and she falls in love with Stuart, a move that would influence many aspects of the Fab Four. Nearly overpowering the film is Hart in a great, energized performance of an artist on fire. The music was adapted for the movie, rediscovering the raw sound and ballistic energy in the back street clubs. These scenes of rock and genius intermixed with a nervy lead singer evoke similarities to Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. Directed by Iain Softley. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews:

THE BEGINING OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULL CONTEMPORARY STORIES.......2006-10-31

Before the Beatles, Before Lennon-Mcartney there was Lennon-Stucliffe two working class boys from Liverpool that loved each other like brothers , Lennon wanted to conquer the world with his rock and roll band music and Stu wanted to show the world his art, however Stu accepted Lennons invitation to make a brief gig in Hamburg with the band , Stu purchased a bass with the money he won seling one of his pieces, immediatelly the five guys entered a whole world of hardcore German scene with cavarets , bars, strip shows, gruppies, alcohol and illegal substances but in the middle of all that Klaus Vooorman and his friend Astrid two avant-garde artists introduced themselves to the band one night at the club they were playing , Stu and Astrid were immediatelly hooked up by each other causing the friendship between Lennon and Stucliff were even more fractured due to the discrepances in interests booth friends had, Astrid influenced Stu and intruduced him in to this environment of painting, literature, photography and fashion very different to the rock and roll concept his four friends liked, Astrid were responsible for the historic registers of the Beatles beginings in Hamburg due to her pothograpys and later were the inspiration of the stetic concept the band adopted in hair style and wardrobe , The guys get a record contract and Stu choosed the love of Astrid instead of the band dreams, It was difficult for Lennon who depend emotionaly on Stu, but it was wrotten on Stone the path the band had to follow and the story that we all know, Stu died briefly afterwards by a brain hemorrage and the fab five became four , to be honest we couldnt imagine The Beatles in a different way.

HM

Glimpse of the largely unknown proto-Beatles.......2006-08-04

"Backbeat" provides a fascinating and alternative viewpoint of the pre-stardom Beatles. Ian Hart's jealous, sarcastic, and insecure Lennon is both fresh yet seemingly correct. Liverpool and Hamburg lay at either ends of the bridge between the sappy 50's and avant-garde 60s, and the film moves us across that bridge at the frenetic and raucous pace of the cover tunes of the then-Beatles' playlist. Hart and the actors playing McCartney and Harrison bear a less superficial and more unnerving resemblance to the young Beatles, certainly not in the way of a Vegas revue, and all the better for it. It's probably a good thing though that Stu Sutcliffe quit the band, if quite a sad thing he died so young. His continuance with the Beatles is one counterfactualist scenario I'm glad not to imagine.

Superb.......2006-07-25

"Backbeat" is an excellent portrayal of the Hamburg phase of the early Beatles, and succeeds on every level. Although purportedly intended primarily to tell the story of "fifth Beatle" Stuart Sutcliffe, the focus quickly shifts to John Lennon who (as in real life) dominated the music and lives of the early Beatles. It is as much the story of Stu and John as the story of Stu and Astrid, and explores the dynamics of both complex relationships. Still, it is a fascinating look at the early Beatles, who paid their dues by playing in some of the rough Reeperbahn bars in the pre-fame years. The cast is excellent, and were obviously chosen for their talent rather than their resemblance to the characters they portrayed. The music is also excellent, and complements the story perfectly. In all, "Backbeat" is an entertaining journey through the world of the early Beatles, and is well worth purchasing for repeat viewings.

no title.......2006-04-06

Pretty good movie of the Beatles' early years - particularly of their beginnings in Hamburg, Germany. None of their original music, however; producers probably couldn't pay for that. The story is really about a fifth member, Stuart Sutcliffe, a gifted artist who died at 21 in Hamburg with his wife, a German photographer, who gave the remaining Beatles their mop-top look. Sutcliffe, or the actor who plays him, Stephen Dorff, an American, kind've resembles James Dean, but without his intensity. One reviewer states that he was Britain's most promising young artist before he died of a brain hemorrhage, probably brought on by a fight back in Liverpool because of something John Lennon said. The movie doesn't say whether Lennon knew this or not. It also seems to imply that Lennon was bi-sexual. He certainly felt strongly about Stu; but it also implies that he could have loved Stu's wife. I could never really get into this movie; maybe because I was never that crazy about the Beatles' music. And only the actor who played Paul McCartney in any way resembled the Beatle he was playing. Although supposedly Dorff looks exactly like Sutcliffe.

John Lennon's guilt.......2005-12-23

I am a big fan of Stephen Dorff. He is so beautiful male actor. His eyes are so sensitive and sharp. I saw this movie because he is in.

However I started watching it then my eyes are going to Ian Hart who plays John Lennon. In the end, I almost forgot about Stephen was there.

Ian Hart had done a gread job, I think. He acted very well of young Lennon's potential charisma, confusing, and uncontrolled great passion to music and friends.

Needless to say, This movie is about Stuart Sutcliffe who is a member of Beatles in the begining and short time but influenced very much on their fashon and appearance. He is also a very talented painter. But John Lennon is such a great icon that seemed to make anything go away except him.

When the movie ended what remained in my mind was that Lennon's guilt. How he had been feeling with his best friend and his future. Actually accoring to his biography he had been feeling a guilt to Stuart's death. I realized that how Lennon was a huge human being that may cause his death, even though I don't like very much the Beatles' sound.

Backbeat - Punk Rock Video Magazine, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

rediculous
dollar store

Backbeat - Punk Rock Video Magazine, Vol. 1
Starring: Thrice , and Hot Water Music
Manufacturer: Mvd Visual
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

BACKBEAT PUNK ROCK DVD VOL.1 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Customer Reviews:

rediculous.......2006-08-16

i've never acually saw this dvd but the comment by Brian Hocum is rediculous. getting an artist in put on something is to better understand where they're coming from or where they're writing. and if anyone knew anything about thrice they would know that they contribute money frome each record to orgunizations even after they left sub city record. so dont be so closed minded and listen to what they're talking about cuz aparently they have better things to say then you.

dollar store.......2006-01-30

save money and go to dollar store and buy a hammer and beat your foot for a few minutes to get the same feeling you get as listening to these terrible recordings.And why do they interview these bands,I want music if I want a narrative I will read a book
by a great author of expert.I don't care what they think about poverty I want music. If you have to buy Hawthorne Heights or New Found Glory . Why can't Thrice put out a good concert dvd?

Average customer rating:

THE BEGINING OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULL CONTEMPORARY STORIES
Glimpse of the largely unknown proto-Beatles
Superb
no title
John Lennon's guilt

Backbeat [Region 2]
Starring: Marcelle Duprey , Stephen Dorff , Ian Hart , John White (II) , and Bernard Merrick
Director: Iain Softley
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Two of Us (2000)
The Hours and Times
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Imagine (Deluxe Edition)
Stuart Sutcliffe - The Lost Beatle

ASIN: B0002DXETE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

THE BEGINING OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULL CONTEMPORARY STORIES.......2006-10-31

Glimpse of the largely unknown proto-Beatles.......2006-08-04

Superb.......2006-07-25

no title.......2006-04-06

John Lennon's guilt.......2005-12-23

Average customer rating:

THE BEGINING OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULL CONTEMPORARY STORIES
Glimpse of the largely unknown proto-Beatles
Superb
no title
John Lennon's guilt

Backbeat
Starring: Marcelle Duprey , Stephen Dorff , Ian Hart , John White (II) , and Bernard Merrick
Director: Iain Softley
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video