• Trending
    • Certified Fresh & Verified Hot
    • TV Premier dates
    • New horror Movies
    • Best Movies of All Time
  • Movies
    • Movies In Theaters
    • Movies at Home
  • TV Shows
    • New TV
    • Most Popular TV
  • News
    • What to Watch
    • Guides
    • RT News
    • Awards
  • Games
    • Find Your Next Horror Watch
  • Video
  • Showtimes
  • Fanstore
  • About Rotten Tomatoes
  • Critics
  • Download the App Now
  • Logout
Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App New News Showtimes

Backbeat

Play trailer Poster for Backbeat R,  1994,  1h 40m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 70% 40 Reviews Tomatometer 66% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1960, close friends Stuart Sutcliffe and John Lennon, along with bandmates Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best, move to Hamburg, Germany, in search of success. Their tireless performing schedule and charismatic sound quickly put the Beatles on the road to stardom. But as Stuart falls in love with Astrid, a local photographer, he realizes his commitment to the band isn't as strong as he thought.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Backbeat

Stream

Rent Backbeat on Fandango, or buy it on Fandango.

Backbeat

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Its overly pretentious and melodramatic leanings notwithstanding, Backbeat explores the beginnings of the Fab Four with striking authenticity, soaring rock 'n' roll verve, and a strong admiration for its subjects.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Nicole Arthur Chicago Reader Jun 6, 2022
2/4
The truth often undercuts the film’s simplistic notions about true love and about friendship. Go to Full Review
David Ansen Newsweek Apr 4, 2018
Get back, get back to where you once belonged, you want to shout. But the movie is stuck in the wrong groove. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Sep 10, 2007
There's nothing very profound here, but we do at least get a nice handling of period and milieu, and pretty good performances of the songs. Go to Full Review
Grant Watson Fiction Machine Apr 17, 2024
7/10
If there is a ‘most valuable player’ to this film it is Ian Hart, who blends an uncannily accurate voice with perfectly mimicked mannerisms and an impressive depth of character. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jul 1, 2019
3/5
When we have a comprehensive documentary available in the form of The Beatles Anthology, films like Backbeat end up serving as a moot point. Go to Full Review
Mike McGranaghan Aisle Seat Feb 24, 2019
1.5/4
Why would anyone would want to see a movie about the pre-fame Beatles when the post-fame Beatles had enough drama and excitement to fill several movies. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Luke G Feb 12, 2019 Great film, lacks accuracy but why let the truth get in the way of a good story! Raw energy and great performances throughout and a really top soundtrack that will introduce casual beatles fans to the pure rock and roll of the early years in Hamburg. On a side note, it was because of this film that i had my stag do on the reeperbahn! See more
Read all reviews
Backbeat

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Iain Softley

Director

Sheryl Lee

Astrid Kirchherr

Stephen Dorff

Stuart Sutcliffe

Ian Hart

John Lennon

Gary Bakewell

Paul McCartney

Chris O'Neill

George Harrison

More Like This

View All
The Emperor and the Assassin 81% 78% The Emperor and the Assassin Watchlist Sons and Lovers 67% 49% Sons and Lovers Watchlist Something for Everyone 83% 70% Something for Everyone Watchlist Longtime Companion 92% 83% Longtime Companion Watchlist Goodbye Bafana 41% 55% Goodbye Bafana Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
View All

Backbeat

Backbeat (1994) Backbeat (1994) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1960, close friends Stuart Sutcliffe and John Lennon, along with bandmates Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best, move to Hamburg, Germany, in search of success. Their tireless performing schedule and charismatic sound quickly put the Beatles on the road to stardom. But as Stuart falls in love with Astrid, a local photographer, he realizes his commitment to the band isn't as strong as he thought.
Director
Iain Softley
Producer
Finola Dwyer, Stephen Woolley, Sarah Curtis, Stephen M. Williams
Distributor
Gramercy Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 15, 1994, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Aug 12, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings