Backbeat (1994)

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.

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

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. 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