An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.An account of The Beatles during the Hamburg years, their signing with Brian Epstein and their inevitable rise during the early sixties.
Michael Ryan
- Pete Best
- (as Ryan Michael)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison all opposed the making of this film and wanted to be stopped and never to be released.
- GoofsWhen the Beatles are in Hamburg in 1961, George Harrison sings "Don't Bother Me" on stage, the first song he wrote for the group but in actuality Harrison didn't write the song until 1963, and it was included on the Beatles' second album.
- Quotes
Paul McCartney: Hey, when you're rich and famous, what are you gonna be?
George Harrison: A millionaire.
Paul McCartney: And do what?
George Harrison: Buy a bus for me dad! He's putting his foot down. Wants me working.
John Lennon: Don't be thick! People die here... never knowing if they've ever lived. Well, you won't find me working 9 to 5.
- Alternate versionsA European version exists, and is a different cut from the American version. The following changes were made to the European version:
- Some of the dialogue and text in this version is different.
- The opening narration is now done by a British narrator, with the opening text superimposed on a black screen as opposed to a blue screen.
- The prologue, which includes John saying that he wants to see Mickey Mouse is omitted.
- The opening theme song is "My Bonnie" instead of "She Loves You".
- A scene in an art school with a naked woman is included.
- The scenes where The Beatles perform at Der Kaiserkiller are longer. They also include two additional song scenes: "Kansas City" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (the former has them trip on the stage floor, while the latter has them break it).
- The scene where they find Stuart badly beaten has extra dialogue.
- The scene where Stuart and Astrid have their moment in bed together is different. The other version has him showing her her new necklace, while this version, has the two of them making love to each other.
- John's bedroom scene with Stuart has extra shots of the others in bed.
- The scene where they first talk to Brian Epstein is a little bit longer.
- The scene where Brian goes to find The Beatles performing "Love Me Do" at a venue is longer.
- The scene where Brian goes to tell the Beatles about George Martin and EMI, has him getting out of a taxi.
- In the scene where Cynthia tell John about expecting a baby, John asks her "What are we gonna call him?"
- The scene where the Beatles arrive at New York City is longer.
- The end credits feature "She Loves You", instead of "My Bonnie".
- ConnectionsFeatures The Ed Sullivan Show: Meet The Beatles (1964)
- SoundtracksI Saw Her Standing There
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Performed by Rain (Eddie Lineberry, Chuck Coffey, Bill Connearney, and Steve Wight)
Featured review
We all know that dramatic adaptations of historical events are almost never 100% accurate, otherwise they would not be "adaptations". However I felt that this film reflected a certain consultant's true feelings.
Now I know I wasn't there and Pete Best was, but it seems odd to me that this movie (on which he acted as a primary consultant) contradicts other people's recollection of certain events. For example Pete Best is portrayed as a strikingly handsome, highly proficient drummer. This simply isn't true (the drumming proficiency). Many people will say that Best was at best (no pun intended) a mediocre drummer (one can also hear on the Anthology that Best's drumming lacks the drive, timing, and bounce that was distinctive to Ringo's). It seems that Best feels that his dismissal from the band was a grave injustice and a plain old bad idea. They even go as far in this film as to say that EMI (i.e. George Martin) liked his playing, and according to George Martin himself, it was he who told the Beatles that they'd have to use a session drummer because Pete's playing just wasn't good enough.
Other than these glaring discrepancies and some chronological conjecture (Stu Sutcliffe died some time after the rest of the Beatles had left Hamburg for good) this is an average made-for-TV movie on one of the greatest bands of all time.
Now I know I wasn't there and Pete Best was, but it seems odd to me that this movie (on which he acted as a primary consultant) contradicts other people's recollection of certain events. For example Pete Best is portrayed as a strikingly handsome, highly proficient drummer. This simply isn't true (the drumming proficiency). Many people will say that Best was at best (no pun intended) a mediocre drummer (one can also hear on the Anthology that Best's drumming lacks the drive, timing, and bounce that was distinctive to Ringo's). It seems that Best feels that his dismissal from the band was a grave injustice and a plain old bad idea. They even go as far in this film as to say that EMI (i.e. George Martin) liked his playing, and according to George Martin himself, it was he who told the Beatles that they'd have to use a session drummer because Pete's playing just wasn't good enough.
Other than these glaring discrepancies and some chronological conjecture (Stu Sutcliffe died some time after the rest of the Beatles had left Hamburg for good) this is an average made-for-TV movie on one of the greatest bands of all time.
- semprini20
- Apr 29, 2005
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- El nacimiento de los Beatles
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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