Backbeat

Starring: Sheryl Lee, Stephen Dorff, Ian Hart, John White, Bernard Merrick

Directed by: Iain Softley

RS: 3of 4 Stars

1994 Drama

The dives of Hamburg were the proving ground for the Beatles and the main setting for this 1994 feature on the leather-clad pre-Fab Five. Focusing on the love triangle between handsome "fifth Beatle" Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff), his German girlfriend, Astrid Kirchherr (Sheryl Lee), and best mate John Lennon (a blazing Ian Hart), Backbeat nails the era's speed-fueled rocker spirit while mining the consequences of an artist following his bliss. Bonuses include an interview with Kirchherr herself.