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Backbeat (Special Edition) (Widescreen) (Dual-layered DVD)
- Starring: Sheryl Lee, Stephen Dorff, Ian Hart
- Director: Iain Softley
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Description
The Beatles' early days as a struggling bar band are depicted in this fact-based drama, which tells the little-known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff). A close friend of John Lennon, Sutcliffe acts as the band's original bassist, accompanying them on their early gigs in Liverpool and Hamburg, Germany. The friendship becomes strained, however, when Sutcliffe falls in love with a German art student and starts to question his commitment to the band. With Sutcliffe's story taking center stage, the stories of the more famous Beatles largely fade into the background. The exception is John Lennon, thanks to a fierce performance by Ian Hart, who had previously portrayed the musician in the more intimate and provocative The Hours and the Times. While Backbeat does provide a new perspective on the band's beginning, and numerous opportunities for a group of modern rock musicians to recreate the band's energetic early performances, it never makes Sutcliffe's story seem more than a footnote to musical history. Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Features
- Genre: Drama
- Category: Biopic [feature], Rock Musical
- Theme: Bohemian Life, Ladder to the Top, Musician's Life
- Release Date: January 25, 2005
- Rating: R (Restricted)Rating Opens in New Window - Brief Nudity, Drug Content, Not For Children, Sexual Situations
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Lead Actors: Sheryl Lee, Stephen Dorff, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell, Chris O'Neill
- Supporting Actors: Gertan Klauber, Charlie Caine, Wolf Kahler, Paul Humpoletz, Albert Welling, James Doherty, Rob Spendlove, Scot Williams, Kai Wiesinger
- Director: Iain Softley
- Picture Format: Widescreen
- Run Time: 1 hr 41 min
- Language: English, French
- Subtitle Language: French, Spanish
- Format: DVD
Additional Information
- DPCI: 246-00-9352
- ASIN: B002IE9KL6
- Catalog #: 11346874
- Item can not be gift wrapped.
Shipping & Policies
- You may return this item to any Target store.Opens in New Window
- Shipping & Delivery InformationOpens in New Window
- Estimated Ship Dimensions : 7.62 inches length x 5.58 inches width x 0.61 inches height
- Estimated Ship Weight: 0.30 pound.
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Expert Reviews
The trick to making a good rock roll movie is to get the music right. On that note, Backbeat is a resounding success. By having an all-star band of modern musicians (Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore on lead guitar, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills on bass, Nirvana's Dave Grohl on drums, Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli singing John Lennon's parts, and Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner singing Paul McCartney's parts) record the songs on the Beatles' Hamburg set lists ("Long Tall Sally," "Please Mr. Postman," and "Rock and Roll Music" to name just three), the filmmakers have succeeded in approximating the enthusiasm, speed, and talent the Beatles themselves played with during this period. Ian Hart's performance captures the emotional tumultuousness as well as the genius of John Lennon. Watch the tricky scenes about two-thirds of the way through the film when John's wife Cynthia comes to visit. The two of them spend a day at the beach with Stewart and Astrid. These scenes are about how John and Cynthia do not want the same things in life. Hart communicates both the restless spirit and the self-hatred within John. He doesn't want to hurt Cynthia, but he knows he will leave her one day. Hart makes it easy to believe that such an emotionally complex man could make such a powerful sound while on stage. A person doesn't just hear great music. A person feels great music. The all-star band makes the music sound right. Hart's interpretation of John Lennon makes it look right. The film is not completely successful, but it triumphs in the area that is most important. Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
