Backbeat (1994) Movie Script
(Drumming from inside club)
(Woman) # Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me
# Thrill me, honey, honey, thrill me
# Don't care even if I blow my top
# But honey, honey
- # Don't stop
- (Drunken men sing along)
# I'd like to play a little game with you
- # A little game especially made for two
- (Drunk men) # Made for two
# If you come close then I will show you how
# Closer, closer now
- (Man) What do you fancy?
- # Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me
# Thrill me, honey, honey, thrill me
(Men, drunkenly) # Thrill me
(Singer) # I don't even care if I blow my top
# But honey, honey, don't stop... #
# Don't stop
- Hey, you.
- It's not me, mate. It's him.
Yeah, but you'll do.
- # So settle down and let me teach you how
- You, fuck off.
- # Closer, closer now... #
- What's this?
It's nothing.
- Call that nothing?
- What do you call it?
- Filth.
- That's not filth. That's art.
- He says this is art.
- Call that art?
- Yeah, well...
- That's Nancy. That's my girl.
(Singer) # Don't stop... #
- That's your girl?
- No, never.
She'd never throw herself away
on shite like you.
What did he say?
He says you're too fucking ugly.
- (Glass shatters)
- # But honey, honey
(Woman) Ow!
(Singer) # Don't stop
(Shouting)
# You kiss so well my lips begin to burn
Quick. Let's get out.
# ..you've got a lot to learn
- # So hold me close and baby, show me how
- He's over there, on the right.
# Closer, closer now
# Kiss me... #
(Song continues in background)
(Both laugh)
(Long sigh)
All right, lads, a joke's a joke.
Well, here's another joke.
See if you get a laugh out of this.
Go!
- (Thuds)
- Aagh!
Get off, you bastard.
- Leave it, will you? Leave it!
- I'll fucking kill you!
You fucking killed him.
(Strains and gasps)
- I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you.
- Oh, yeah?
I'm gonna bring a crew down here
and kick the shite out of you.
- (Man in gang) Nancy boy!
- Bastards.
- (Man, distant) Fuck off.
- You're all shite, the lot of ya.
(Coughs)
You all right, Stu?
Huh... (Sniffs)
How do I look?
Put it this way -
you'll get better, I'll always be ugly.
(Children chattering)
(Record) # I've got a woman...
# They call her Chocolate Brown
# I've got a woman
# They call her Chocolate Brown
# Once she's started lovin'
# Oh, she just won't stop... #
Good.
# I got a bright woman... #
You call that art?
It doesn't look a bit like me.
- It's not finished.
- It doesn't look like anything.
# Sweet as she can be...
Stop it.
Stop it, I said, before I get cross.
Look at you, you're a bloody mess.
- (Door opening)
- What?
Cream tea, anybody?
Ask him what he thinks.
- What do you think, John?
- Does that look like me?
- Does it?
- You got the tits right.
- You shag her?
- There's more to life than shagging Celia.
- Sabrina.
- Because I'll shag her for you.
Don't be too shy to ask.
What friends are for.
- What do you think?
- Do you want the truth?
Please.
Hanging's too good for it.
- 50 guineas.
- That's cheap.
Don't let it go to your head. It might be ten years
before you sell another one.
Van Gogh never sold a picture in his life.
Yes!
I like the blonde but I prefer the brunette.
- Blondes have more fun.
- Who says?
- Swedes.
- It's got to look good.
You'll get it for 50, you know.
(Train rattling on rails)
(Bells pealing)
(John) Liverpool. Home of...
(Stu) Liverpudlians.
You know what I like about Liverpool, Mr. Sutcliffe?
No. What is it you like about it, Mr. Lennon?
I was hoping you'd tell me.
I know what Arthur's gonna say.
He's gonna say, "I gave you a chance.
"I put a brush in your hand,
I went out on a limb for you
"and you're tossing it away to play bass
in John Lennon's skiffle band."
Not a skiffle band.
It's a rock-'n'-roll band.
- "I opened doors for you..."
- It's not my band. It's a group.
We're a group. We're in it together.
- He's gonna shit himself.
- I like Arthur.
You know, he's all right.
But he thinks art's something
you got to hang on the wall in a pool of light.
It's a disease with him.
He thinks it's all about van Gogh.
- Nothing wrong with van Gogh.
- I had a word with him.
- Did you?
- Bumped into him in The Grapes.
I said, "Vincent, where did it all go wrong?"
- You know what he said?
- What?
He said, "If I could do it all again,
"I'd be up there shaking me bum
doing Blue Suede Shoes.
"It's all dick." That's what he said.
- I gave him your regards.
- Thanks.
You're a painter, Stu.
You are the best I've got.
I'm coming back.
- It's a pisser to throw it away.
- I'm not throwing anything away.
You could teach me a damn sight more
than I could ever teach you.
Arthur, I'm 19 years old.
I've got me whole life.
- And where's it gonna get you?
- Hamburg, for a start.
(Whistles) Take it easy, mate. Put it up there.
(Paul) Hey.
- It's a bit rough out there.
- It's nothing. Bit of a swell, that's all.
- You call that a swell?
- I call it mother's milk.
My dad was a sailor, and his dad.
I'm the son of a son of a sailor.
Bollocks.
Mum! Mum!
- Here.
- What is it?
- Scones. I've made you some scones.
- Mum, they've got food on the ferry.
- They haven't got my scones.
- I can't take scones.
If the lads know, I'll never hear the end of it.
- I'm in a rock-'n'-roll group, Mum.
- (Sighs)
So have you ever been abroad before?
Overseas, like?
Oh, aye. Yeah.
Yeah, I've been to the Isle of Wight.
- I'll write.
- You'd better.
Oh, every day. Every minute. Every second.
Now and then would be a start.
You're a tough negotiator, Miss Powell.
(Paul) Come on, George, we're starving.
- There's food on the ferry.
- Where are those scones your mother makes?
All right, lads.
(Ship horn sounds)
Shall we?
(Groans)
Is that right, pal?
You did say your father was a sailor?
(Retches violently)
You did say the sea was in your blood?
- (Silence)
- Sorry? Missed that.
I said...
Oh! Ugh!
You horrible filth.
(As pirate) Believe I'm feeling a shade better now,
but I do believe the captain's
trod on me parrot, sir, arrr, arrr!
(Chuckles)
# Bright lights
# Big city... #
Look.
# Gone to my baby's head
# Oh, bright lights
# Big city
# Gone to my baby's head
(Shouting)
# I tried to tell the woman
but she don't believe a word I said
# Go light
# Pretty baby
# You'll need my help someday
# Oh, it's all right
# Pretty baby...
(Car horn)
# You're gonna need my help someday
# You're gonna wish you had listened... #
(Engine rewing)
(Chatter)
Fuckin' hell!
Fuckin' hell.
Wow.
- It's only temporary.
- Temporary?
What do you want for nothing?
You Top Ten yet?
You haven't done nothing yet.
People have died in here.
You can smell 'em.
(John) Whole families.
- (German accent) This is them?
- This is them.
- Yeah, we're them.
- This is Bruno.
You are how old?
- 18.
- 18. Everything's cool.
Everyone's 18.
- Lads, this is it. Remember the song.
- (Cheering)
- What's the song?
- (Laughter)
(# Saxophone blues)
(Cheering, whistling and whooping)
(Music ends, applause)
(Booing and hissing)
Good evening, ladies and genitals,
we're the band.
You'll be happy to know
we keep our clothes on.
(Silence)
Er...on drums, Mr. Pete Best.
On guitar, Mr. Paul McCartney.
On bass, recently arrived
from the dark side of the moon,
Mr. Stuart Sutcliffe.
And on guitar, Mr. George Harrison.
He's only just on solid food.
My name's Lennon.
John Winston Lennon.
I was named after Churchill -
John Churchill, the wet fish man.
Me parents were gonna call me after me father
but Dad's such a stupid fucking name.
(Silence)
If you'd all like to line up
and tell us your names.
- Thank you, brother.
- One, two, three, four.
(# Rock-'n'-roll)
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# From the early, early mornin'
to the early, early night
# You can see Miss Molly rockin'
at the house of blue light
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# Momma, Poppa told me
son, you'd better watch your step
# If he knew about Miss Molly
I'd have to watch my pa myself
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# Going to the corner,
gonna buy a diamond ring
# She hugged me and she kissed me,
made me ting-a-ling-a-ling
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call #
(Excited moaning)
(Bed rattling)
- Sutcliffe?
- Not now, John.
Tell all our listeners out there,
how are you finding it here in Hamburg?
(Excited moaning)
(Moaning continues)
- You are not cold?
- Cold? Me? No.
I don't feel the cold.
(Orgasmic shrieking)
You, erm...don't want to go inside?
I'd sooner freeze.
(Woman yells and gasps)
(With posh voice) So, Sutcliffe, I know
all our listeners will want to ask you this,
are you glad you came?
Was it the right choice?
# Oh, Carol
- (Cheering)
- # Don't let him steal your heart away
# I'm gonna learn to dance
if it takes me all night and day
(Whistling)
# If you wanna hear some music
like the boys are playin'
# Hold tight, tap your foot,
don't let 'em carry you away
# Don't let the heat overcome you
when they play it so loud
(Whooping and whistling)
# Well, let the music intrigue you
when they get a crowd
# Well, if you can't dance,
I know that you wish you could
# I got my eyes on you baby
cos you dance so good #
(Cheering, applause and whistling)
# I remember too a distant bell
# And the stars that fell
# Like the rain out of the blue
# When my life is through
- # And the angels ask me to recall... #
- Hey!
I don't want you doing that.
Listen, you.
You want to fight somebody, fight me.
If you don't want to fight,
then listen to the fucking band.
If you don't want to listen to the band,
fuck off and choke to death.
Do you understand me?
Get me meaning, mate?
I can't fight you.
You're wearing a dress.
(Laughter)
All right, here's a slow one
for all you lovebirds out there.
# Well, I got a girl with a record machine
# Comes to lovin', she's the queen
# We go to dance on a Saturday night
# All alone I can hold her tight
# She lives on the 20th floor uptown
# The elevator's broken down
# So I walk one, two flight, three flight, four
# Five, six, seven flight, eight flight more
# Up to the twelfth, I'm starting to drag
# Fifteenth floor, I'm ready to sag
# Get to the top, I'm too tired to rock
# Well, she called me up on the telephone
# "Come over, baby, I'm all alone"
# I said, "Baby, you're mighty sweet
# "But I'm in bed with aching feet"
# This went on for a couple of days
# But I could not stay away
# So I walk one, two flight, three flight, four
# Five, six, seven flight, eight flight more
# Up to the twelfth, I'm starting to drag
# Fifteenth floor, I'm ready to sag
# Get to the top, I'm too tired to rock #
That's 7.50.
My name is Klaus.
Cheers, Klaus.
- It sounds German.
- Why are you over here, Klaus?
I liked your show. You had fun.
Fun? You call that fun?
What do you call it?
I call it three nights with no sleep,
too long between drinks,
I call it dying for a piss.
I call it a hard fucking day's night.
Is he always like this?
No. You'd be surprised,
he can be quite bitter and twisted.
What's the problem, Paul?
- (Sighs) It's about Stu.
- What about Stu?
He just stands there.
I know you can play bass
better than he can, we all know that.
But what Stu plays is just right.
It's rock-'n'-roll.
I know he's great
but all he does is stand there.
It's the way he stands.
English!
Showtime!
Come on, Bruno, have a heart,
we're knackered.
One o'clock. Showtime.
Just look at us.
Look at George, he's dead on his feet.
Look at Pete, his hands are fucked.
Look at me, I'm knackered.
I'm a shadow of meself.
- I haven't eaten in a week.
- Here.
I was thinking more
along the lines of a steak.
# Saw Uncle John with Long Tall Sally
# He saw Aunt Mary comin'
and he ducked back in the alley, oh, baby
# Yeah, baby
# Ooh, baby
# Havin' some fun tonight - whoa!
(Screams)
# Well, Long Tall Sally,
she's built for speed, she got
# Everything that Uncle John needs, oh, baby
# Yeah, baby
# Ooh, baby
# Havin' some fun tonight, yeah
# Yeah, yeah
# Have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight
# Everything's all right
# Gonna have some fun tonight
# Have some fun, some...
yeah, yeah, yeah #
(Knocks)
- (John) I can't sleep.
- Me, neither.
That's much better.
- All the difference.
- Mm.
(# Faint rock-'n'-roll)
# If you wanna dance with me
# If you wanna dance with me
# I took my loved one over 'cross the tracks
# So she could hear my man a-wailin' sax
# I must admit they had a rockin' band
# Man, they were blowin' like a hurricane
# That's why I go for that rock and roll music
# Any old way you choose it
# It's got a backbeat you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
# It's gotta be rock and roll music
# If you wanna dance with me
# If you wanna dance with me
# Way down south they gave a jubilee
# Those Georgia folks they had a jamboree
# They're drinking homebrew from a wooden cup
# The folks dancin' got all shook up
# They started playing that rock and roll music
# Any old time you use it
# It's got a backbeat you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
# It's gotta be rock and roll music... #
(Speaks German)
# I'm in the mood to hear a mambo... #
(Speaks German)
# Some people rockin' that piano
# That's why I go for that rock and roll music
# Any old time you use it
# It's got a backbeat you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
# It's gotta be rock and roll music
# If you wanna dance with me
# If you wanna dance with me #
(Cheering and applause)
Stuart. This is Astrid.
Astrid.
Fancy a drink?
Yes.
But not here.
- What's this place?
- It's a club.
- What does "enfer" mean?
- Hell.
Sounds promising.
(# Trumpet jazz)
(Chatter, indistinct)
- Ta.
- What do you call that?
Henry.
- Paul.
- Danke.
(Stu) I see your picture.
- It's not me.
- Of course it is.
It's nothing.
I was just testing the lighting.
You don't say much, do you?
Drummers don't talk.
You must have noticed that.
Might as well be deaf and dumb, drummers.
When was the last time
you heard a drummer say anything?
See?
You know why, don't you?
I'll tell you why,
cos nobody ever fucking listens.
It's all dick.
I could do with another Henry.
It's all dick, all this.
You dress up just to be noticed, to impress.
- Is that so terrible?
- Just to be noticed?
It's all bollocks, that. It's all down to dick.
Eh? So why don't we just
fucking say it for a change?
Never mind all the talk.
Never mind all the fucking bollocks.
All everybody wants
is a bit of fucking dick.
- Is he always like this?
- Why don't we say it?
- Why are you doing this?
- A bit of dick never hurt anyone. Never led to war.
- (Stuart) He thinks you're out of his league.
- Liars lead to war.
He thinks if he tried to pull you, you'd laugh.
Everybody's trying to impress
everybody else.
I used to do it, the same thing.
When I was about 15. Yeah.
Yeah? I've given up trying, mate.
You'll never shag her, Stu.
Get that into your head.
She's here with her fucking boyfriend.
I don't get on my knees...
- He's sorry he's doing this.
- I'm not sorry!
You should be.
I'm telling the truth.
It's the fucking truth, lad.
You haven't got the balls to chat her up
so you're having a dig.
That's the fucking truth.
You haven't got the balls because
you think she's out of your league.
That's what hurts, mate, isn't it?
She's out of your fucking league.
# Time to go home, time to go home
# Andy and Teddy
are waving good night #
Let's go. Come on.
Bollocks, Stu.
Thank you.
Hey, John, slow down.
- He's jealous.
- You think so?
You hurt his feelings.
He'll get over it.
(Distant ship horn)
- So, did you shag her, then?
- She's a photographer.
Klaus designs record covers.
You'll never shag her, not her.
Not Astrid. Not with all that lot.
You know that, don't you?
She's a photographer.
You'd like her if you gave yourself the chance.
She wants to take our photograph.
She can photograph my arse, mate.
# I'm a roadrunner, honey
# Beep-beep
# Ah-ah-ah
# Beep-beep
# I'm a roadrunner, honey
# And you can't keep up with me
# I'm a roadrunner, honey
# And you can't keep up with me
# Come on, let's race
# Ah-ah-ah
# Baby, baby, you will see
# Beep-beep
# Here I come
# Yeah, beep-beep
# Move on over, honey
# Let me by... #
How do I look?
I would like to invite you to my house.
If you want.
- You accept?
- I accept.
Then you can see the photographs.
You will see what you look like to me.
# Ah-ah-ah
# Beep-beep #
(# Slow jazz record)
(Doorbell)
- You came.
- You asked.
(Quiet chatter in German)
This is Mr. Sutcliffe.
(Woman) Ah!
Hello.
- Everybody is talking about you.
- What are they saying?
That you're in a band
down on the Reeperbahn.
They say that you are quite fantastic.
Klaus is quite wild about this music.
But he did not tell us you are so beautiful.
(Laughs nervously)
(Record crackles)
(# Slow Latin rhythm)
Is he your boyfriend?
Klaus.
I've known Klaus all my life.
We have been lovers since we were born.
Fuckin' hell.
It's great. It's fucking great.
(Phone ringing)
Good evening, ladies and genitals.
We're going to do a little request.
Stu is going to sing youse a song.
We don't normally do requests
but it's Stu's request
and if we don't let him do it,
he'll only wet the bed.
Ta.
# Love me tender
# Love me sweet
# Never let me go
# You have made my life complete
# And I love you so
# Love me tender
# Love me true
# All my dreams fulfilled
# For my darling, I love you
# And I always will
# Love me tender
# Love me long
# Take me to your home... #
- Fuck. John!
- # Love me tender... #
Get out. Get out.
# Let me hear some of that rock and roll music... #
Fuck.
He fucked off, didn't he?
- He took one look. You know why?
- Yeah, I know why.
- Because we were shite.
- Yes, shite.
We're a rock-'n'-roll group, not a charity show.
- Well, fuck him.
- Listen, John, this group can't carry Stu.
We're not that good.
- You want him out.
- That's not what I said.
Listen, you. If Stu goes, I go.
Do you understand that?
No, you won't.
Did somebody die?
You can't do your solo spot anymore, Stu.
- Why's that?
- Because it's shite.
Give it to me straight.
Let's not beat around the bush.
You happy now?
(Distorted music and German voices)
(Engine rewing)
What are you doing here?
I went for a walk.
How long have you been here?
How long? Actually how long?
Ja. You're in front of my house.
How long have you been here?
Not long. Got lost.
I'm going to a movie. Do you want to come?
Sure.
(French dialogue on film)
(Recites dialogue along with film)
- I must go.
- I'll come with you.
- No.
- See you to the door.
- No.
- Why not?
Because I say so.
Too bad.
Tomorrow I'm driving out to the Elbe.
Have you been there?
The Elbe?
You can come if you like.
We can make some photographs.
Do you accept?
You could try twisting me arm.
(# Loud rock-'n'-roll)
# Have some fun tonight
# Have some fun tonight
# Yeah, have some fun tonight
# Have some fun tonight
# Have some fun, have some fun tonight #
- (Cheering and applause)
- Ta. Our friend's here.
- I went to the pictures.
- See anything good?
- Very good.
- That's all right, then.
Cos I'd hate to waste your fucking time
or anything like that.
Look who's here.
- Thanks.
- Thanks very much.
- Cheers.
- Zum Wohl.
So, tomorrow we will make a record.
- Yes?
- Yeah!
- Tomorrow?
- You have something better to do?
It is a backing record.
Maybe it will not be such a great record
but it goes round and round.
- (Laughter)
- It'll be great. Don't you worry about that.
I don't care
if it's Polly Put The Fucking Kettle On.
It'll be great because it's us, you see.
What he's saying is, we'll be there.
Yeah. I'm saying we'll be there.
Oh, yeah, we'd be quite prepared
for that eventuality.
Wouldn't we, Paul?
We're gonna be big, Sutcliffe.
You know that, don't ya?
I can see it coming.
We're gonna be too big for Hamburg.
We're gonna be too big for Liverpool.
Are you listening to me?
We're gonna be too big
for our own bloody good.
- Rise and shine, Tonto.
- Come on, Stu.
- I'm not coming. I'm ill.
- Ill? You're not ill.
- I'm sick. I feel like shite.
- Bollocks.
- I've been up all night, John.
- This is our big break.
- Get up now or we'll do it without ya.
- Do it without me, then.
All right, then. We will.
And we'll do it a damn sight better and all.
(Slow and smooth)
# My bonnie lies over the ocean
# My bonnie lies over the sea
# Ooh, ooh, ooh
# My bonnie lies over the ocean
# Ooh, ooh
# Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
# Oh, bring back my bonnie
# Ooh, ooh
# To me
# Ooh #
(Birds cawing)
You're serious about this, aren't you?
Of course. I'm German.
I should have known.
(Rock-'n'-roll beat)
# My bonnie lies over the ocean
# My bonnie lies over the sea
# Well, my bonnie lies over the ocean
# Whoa-whoa-whoa
# Yeah, bring back my bonnie to me
# Yeah, bring back... #
(Water lapping, bell striking)
The truth is I'm not much of a bass player.
This whole look was all John's idea.
It means the world to him -
the band, making a record.
- They'll do it too. You watch.
- And you?
- I just came along for a laugh.
- A laugh?
See the sights. Have a bit of fun.
Make all the pretty girls cry.
# Bring back, oh, bring back my bonnie to me... #
Astrid.
(She moans softly)
(Both laughing)
"She was very much half-dressed
"and big, indiscreet trees
"threw out their leaves against the pane:
"cunningly, and close, quite close."
Premire Soire, it is called.
First Night?
He was 16.
Do with a bit of color in here.
Do with a bit of red.
I like red. Lots of red.
Do you know why they roll out the red carpet?
For the king and queen.
They don't roll out a blue carpet
or a green carpet.
It's always red.
Red is the color of the Liverpool football team,
currently struggling
in the second division
but a super bunch of lads all the same.
You like football?
I like a result.
Klaus.
(Speaks German)
(Speaks German)
Klaus.
You're wearing my robe.
# Baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
(Giggling) # Come on, come on,
come on, baby now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah... #
- Yeah. Change the key, though.
- Sounds all right.
Oh, yeah. We're clever lads.
Who's this?
- Ringo.
- Ringo?
- Yeah, Ringo.
- He's a drummer from up the street.
- He's in me bed.
- He's very sick.
- What's wrong?
- He can't be moved.
- He can't stay.
- I heard you didn't live here.
- Heard where?
- You've moved in with the SS.
- Leave it.
- Leave what?
- All the patronizing German shite.
- It's only a joke, Stu.
It's always a joke with you, John, isn't it?
Don't you ever get tired?
Cos if you're moving in with the SS,
don't turn up at the Kaiser Keller tonight.
- What are you saying?
- (Laughs)
We've moved up the street.
We're at Top Ten now.
- The Top Ten?
- Top of the bill.
Great.
# The best things in life are free
# But you can give them to the birds and bees
# I need money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# Your love gives me such a thrill
# But your love don't pay my bills
# I need money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# Money don't get everything, it's true
# But what it don't get, I can't use
I need money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# Give me money
# That's what I want
# All right, money
# That's what I want
# Give me money
# That's what I want
# Lots of money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want #
(Cheering and applause)
(John) 'Thank you very much indeed.'
(Birdsong)
(Dog barking in distance)
(Pigeon cooing)
Ich liebe dich.
What's that?
"I love you." In German.
Only in German?
Any way you wish.
- You've read all these?
- (Astrid) Of course not.
No, but you like to read. You're a big reader.
One or two.
Yeah, a big thinker.
You like all that, don't you, theory?
Sartre, Cocteau, and all their lot,
all that Left Bank shower.
Little Bohemians sitting around
drinking Chateau Spazzo
- and listening to Edith Piaf.
- You don't like Edith Piaf?
She's all right but she's an old woman,
she's got one foot in the grave.
I could never love anyone
who didn't love Edith Piaf.
You know my theory about art?
Did I ever tell you?
- It's all dick?
- Exactly.
- I wonder what makes you so...
- So what?
Such an arsehole.
Practice.
You are the angriest person I have ever met.
- What makes you so angry?
- I'm not angry.
I would like to be your friend.
You would like to be my friend
but you cannot behave like a friend to me.
You deny me. You deny yourself.
It helps nobody. Nobody's any happier.
It's such a waste of time.
Why don't I let you into a secret,
just between the two of us?
I'm not angry, sister.
I'm fucking desperate.
I think you're jealous.
Jealous? Jealous of who? Jealous of Stu?
Jealous of me.
(Loud knock, shouting in German)
- Aye aye. Gestapo.
- The police.
(Siren wails)
Knock, knock.
(Distant shouting)
(Sirens and bullhorns in distance)
- What's going on, then?
- Pontoon.
We're being deported.
(Speaks German)
He says George is underage.
- No, no, no, you can't do that, mate.
- You can't do this. We're a group.
- You're a group?
- Tell him.
So you're still a group.
It really is the showers you're taking us to,
isn't it, Mr. Goebbels?
(PA announcement in German)
- You will come back?
- I'll write.
- I don't like letters.
- I'll write anyway.
I have to see your eyes when you talk to me.
You don't have to open them.
Throw them in a drawer.
When I come back,
we can open them, have a laugh.
Don't you have something to say to me?
- I love you in German.
- Only in German?
Ich liebe dich.
Anywhere, anyhow, anytime.
- So I give you back.
- (Guard's whistle blows)
Bye.
I love you.
(Astrid) "'And big, indiscreet trees
"'threw out their leaves against the pane:
"'cunningly, and close, quite close."'
I've been reading these poems.
Rimbaud.
He's French.
I know Rimbaud.
You should read them.
A Season In Hell.
He was in a lot of pain.
Should be right up your street.
He was a queer.
He'd fuck anything that threw a shadow.
- Sheep, goats.
- He was possessed.
That's what Astrid said.
I met a fellow in Hamburg.
I didn't tell you this.
He's from the art school.
His name is Paolozzi.
I let him have a look at
some of the paintings I was doing.
- I'll go and see him when we get back.
- What do you mean?
See if he'll take me on. Some kind of grant.
- What about the band, Stu?
- I've got to get back there, John.
I haven't done a stroke since I left.
Band or no band, I've got to get back there.
She thinks I'm queer, Astrid.
- Bollocks.
- You heard her. She thinks I fancy you.
That's not what she said.
She said she thinks we love one another.
And what did you say?
I might have grunted.
What's the odds? It's all dick.
Fifteen!
Sixteen!
Seventeen!
Eighteen!
(Whooping)
Is there anyone who can
help this man out with a blow job?
(All cheer)
Ta, Cyn.
(# Rock-'n'-roll)
# If you wanna hear some music
like the boys are playin'
# Hold tight, tap your foot,
don't let 'em carry you away
# Don't let the heat overcome you
when you're playing so loud
# Let the music intrigue you
when they get a crowd
# Well, if you can't dance,
I know that you wish you could
# I got my eyes on you, baby,
cos you dance so good #
(Girls screaming)
(Train horn)
(Brakes screeching)
Come on. Rise and shine, Tonto.
Come on, surf's up.
Hamburgy-burgy-burgy.
(People speaking German)
(Station announcement in German)
Breaks your fucking heart, doesn't it?
I never finished this.
(Laughing) The painting!
Fuck the painting.
Open your eyes.
You've made me look like Klaus.
(Astrid) You don't like it?
I know what John's going to say.
Fuckin' hell.
(# Rock-'n'-roll)
# Well, you know that I love you,
tell the world that I do
# C'mon, pretty baby, why can't you be true?
# I need your lovin', baby, oh, so bad
# The best little woman that I ever had
# Slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
(# Out-of-tune bass notes)
# You gotta give me a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Oh! If you want our love to last #
(Cheering)
- (John) Thanks.
- You off? Pressing engagement?
- You're a bit flat.
- Flat?
I think it's the E string. Ask John.
Oh! I'm flat? Me!
That's it. Finish.
- Leave it alone.
- Something's got to be done.
We can't go on like this.
Half the time he doesn't turn up.
When he does, he's in the fifth dimension.
It's a waste of fucking time.
I've told you before, Paul.
If you kick Stu out, I'll go with him.
No, you won't. You fucking won't.
- You know how good we can be.
- Not without me.
- You won't kiss it goodbye.
- Just watch me, mate.
What is it? What is it between you two?
- What is it?
- Yeah, what's going on?
- Are you saying I'm a queer? Is that it?
- Oh, look.
- You saying I'm a fucking fairy?
- That's not what I said.
- That's what you said!
- He never said that.
He never said you were a fairy.
For Christ's sake!
Will you just leave it alone?
He spoke.
You can't blame Paul.
You act like you're not interested.
- I'm not.
- Bollocks.
I'm not going to play in a band
for the rest of me life.
Paul is, you are. It's what you want.
Found something better, have you?
I'll let you know. I'm going to find out.
- Calls for a drink, eh?
- I've got to go, mate.
Stu, she's just a girl.
All right, she's got a bit of
je ne sais fucking quoi.
She swept you off your feet.
But she's just another shag.
She's having a bit of fun with you.
She hasn't finished with you yet.
- She'll get bored.
- You don't know her.
- She'll get tired.
- You don't know me either.
She'll finish with you like she did to Klaus!
She's going to do it to you too!
She'll fucking do it to you!
Fuck you. Fuck you.
Fuck you.
(# Latin-style pop with flute and drums)
(Man speaking Russian)
(Speaks Russian)
He knows War And Peace word by word.
- The whole thing?
- The whole thing, in Russian.
My advice - take two.
What can I say?
You don't need to say anything.
Calls for a drink.
(Cheering)
You can do it.
(Cheers become fainter, distorted)
(Cries out)
- (Gasps and yelps)
- Stuart!
- Klaus!
- (Klaus speaks German)
(Shouts in German)
This has happened to you how many times?
I don't know. A couple.
I'm in a band.
We play eight days a week.
It can give you a headache.
Hmm. Er...
Mm... (Speaks German)
A blow to the head.
- You have had such a blow?
- Who hasn't?
Hmm.
It was the pills, the speed.
I'll lay off the speed.
Ja. Do so, Mr. Sutcliffe.
And also do this -
slow down.
Take your time.
Life is long.
You must not be in too much of a hurry.
(Bicycle bell)
(Astrid) Well?
- What did he say?
- You want the truth?
Please.
He said I should find a nice German girl
and ask her to marry me.
Oh, that's absurd.
I think I've got something to offer.
I've got a long way to go. I know that.
I'm not trying to pass meself off
as something I'm not.
But I want to be a painter.
I want the chance.
(Speaks German)
So, what do you say?
# Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
# Any old way you choose it
# It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
- # It's gotta be rock and roll music
- (Dogs barking)
# If you wanna dance with me...
- I'm in! They said yes!
- Oh!
# ..modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast #
Great news!
- Cyn.
- Er, Miss Powell to you.
Stu!
I'm in. The art school said yes.
Bollocks.
(# Edith Piaf on radio)
Who's that?
That's that old Edith Piaf.
Up here.
I don't want a lot. The usual things.
I'd like a house. I'd like babies.
But all I really want is John.
He's all I've ever wanted.
John wants the world.
- That's it.
- Yes!
- She wants babies.
- I know.
She thinks you're going to marry her.
I am.
She's lucky.
Do you think so?
- Yuck.
- It's rum.
- That's what sailors drink.
- I'm a sailor.
I'm the son of a sailor.
I'm the son of a sailor's son.
Tell me something, John Lennon.
When you are rich and famous,
when you are number one,
when your name is in lights
and everybody wants to be your friend
and somebody asks,
"Do you remember Astrid in Hamburg?"
what will you say?
I'll say, "She was the girl I always wanted.
"The girl of me dreams.
"Like Brigitte Bardot with better manners.
"I might have fallen in love with her
"but she fell in love with me best friend.
"And that was the end of that."
I love him, John.
I do.
Yeah.
Don't we all?
Paul can play bass.
Paul can play bass a lot better than I can.
He can sing a lot better too.
He's a bit flat, you know.
You don't need me, John. You never did.
Yeah, but it was our band, wasn't it?
- You and me, Stu.
- No.
It was your band, yours and Paul's.
We're going to be big. You know that, don't ya?
You'll miss it, Stu.
You're going to kick yourself.
We've got them by the throat, Stu.
- You're going to be here in Hamburg.
- It's what I want.
It's where I want to be.
"There goes Stuart Sutcliffe."
That's what they'll say.
"He could have been in the Beatles."
"There goes Stu Sutcliffe."
"He fell in love with a German girl.
"He could have been in the Beatles
"but he never really learned how to play."
(Whooping)
(Laughter)
# Wait!
# Oh, yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
# Wait!
# Wa-a-ait, Mr. Postman
- # Mr. Postman, look and see
- (Screaming)
# Oh, yeah
# Is there a letter in your bag for me?
# Please, please, Mr. Postman
# I've been waitin' a long, long time
# Oh, yeah
# Since I heard from that girl of mine
# There must be some word today
# From my girlfriend so far away
# Please, Mr. Postman, look and see
# If there's a letter, a letter for me
# I've been standing here waiting, Mr. Postman
# So patiently
# For just a card, or just a letter
# Saying she'll be coming home to me
# Please, Mr. Postman
# Mr. Postman, look and see
# Oh, yeah
# Is there a letter in your bag for me?
# Please, please, Mr. Postman
# I've been waiting a long, long time
# Oh, yeah... #
They were right.
# So many days, you pass me by... #
I give you back.
# See the tear standing in my eye
# You didn't stop to make me feel better
- But only for tonight.
# By leaving me a card or a letter
# Mr. Postman
# Mr. Postman, look and see
# Is there a letter in your bag for me?
- # I been waiting such a long time
- (Hysterical screaming)
# Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine
# You gotta wait a minute,
wait a minute, oh, yeah
# Wait a minute, wait a minute
# Please, Mr. Postman
# Wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
# Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
- # You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
- (Screaming)
# You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
# Please, Mr. Postman
# Wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
# Oh, yeah
# Wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman #
(Cheering and whistling)
Thank you very much.
See you, then.
- All right.
- (Car horn)
Bollocks!
- See you, then, Stu.
- Paul.
Hope it all works out.
You know what you're doing.
- I do.
- We're going to miss you.
- Ah, you're well off.
- Listen.
Whatever I said, I never meant it.
Don't pay any attention.
Never did, mate.
Take care.
- Good luck.
- I'll say hello to Elvis for you.
- I'll give him your regards.
- Right.
- Take care, huh?
- You too.
Pete.
George, bye.
- All the best, Stu.
- Take care of yourself.
- Good luck.
- See you later, mate.
- Knock 'em dead.
- Auf Wiedersehen.
(Newsreader speaking German)
(Door opens)
- What's he doing here?
- Something terrible has happened.
- He's drunk.
- John said it. He fucking said it.
- You'd do it to Klaus, you'll do it to me.
- You're making a mistake.
Fuck you!
(Astrid) Stuart!
Fuck you. Fuck you.
- (Astrid) Stuart!
- Fuck you.
Get up!
Stuart! Stop it!
(Glass shatters)
(Whimpers)
(Sobs)
(Distant thunder)
I don't know what happened.
It wasn't me.
Who, then?
I don't know.
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
What will become of us?
# Momma, Poppa told me,
son, you'd better watch your step
# If he knew about Miss Molly
I'd have to watch my pa myself
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call - whaaa!
(Screaming)
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call #
(Cheering and whistling)
(Airplane passes overhead)
Like your hair.
- You should rest.
- No.
I have something to show you.
Damn!
- Put it on.
- No.
- Why not?
- You know why not.
Because you broke the radiogram.
What is it?
What's wrong?
They are going to be famous.
I don't want them to be famous.
Bollocks.
You'll think that you did the wrong thing.
You will try not to think it,
you will push it out of the way
but it will keep coming back.
- And you will hate me.
- No.
You've got it wrong.
You've got it all wrong.
They'll be famous.
The world's not big enough for John.
All he ever needed
was to see his way past me.
You showed him how.
I never had a moment's doubt.
I love you.
- I've got a surprise for you.
- I don't like surprises.
Everybody likes surprises.
- Not me.
- You'll like this one.
- Not me.
- Yes, you will.
(Grunts)
Aagh!
(Gasps, cries out)
Astrid! Astrid!
(Astrid) Coming!
Da-dah!
I'm sorry.
Stuart?
Sweetie?
No!
Oh, Stu...
You know what I like about Hamburg?
- No. What do you like about Hamburg?
- I was hoping you'd tell me.
Where's Stu?
Look at you.
- How do I look?
- Like a star.
Where is he?
He's gone.
He's dead.
- He was here?
- Yes.
- Just now?
- He's always here.
All right, everyone.
Here's a song for absent friends.
# Love me tender
# Love me sweet
# Never let me go
# You have made my life complete
# And I love you so #
Fuck it, let's go!
(Girls screaming)
(# Twist And Shout)
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah, ah
# Whoa, whaaaa
# Well, shake it up, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
# C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out, ooh
# Well, work it on out, now
# Work it on out
# You know you look so good
# Look so good
# You know you got me going, now
# Got me going
# Just like I knew you would
# Like I knew you would, ooh
# Well, shake it up, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
# C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out
# You know you twist little girl
# Twist little girl
# You know you twist so fine
# Twist so fine
# Come on and twist a little closer, now
# Twist a little closer
# And let me know that you're mine
# Let me know you're mine, ooh!
(Screaming and cheering)
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah, ah
# Just shake it up baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
# C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out, ooh
# You know you twist little girl
# Twist little girl
# You know you twist so fine
# Twist so fine
# Come on and twist a little closer, now
# Twist a little closer
# And let me know that you're mine
# Let me know you're mine, ooh
# Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah, ah #
(Hysterical screaming)
(# Slow Down)
# Well, come on, pretty baby,
won't you walk with me?
# Come on, pretty baby, won't you talk with me?
# Come on, pretty baby, give me one more chance
# Try and save our romance
# Slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
# You gotta give me a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Oh! If you want our love to last
# Well, I used to walk you home, baby, after school
# Carry your books home too
# But now you got a boyfriend down the street
# Baby, what you trying to do?
# Better slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
# You gotta gimme a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Brrrr! If you want our love to last
# Ow!
# Well, you know that I love you, tell the world I do
# Come on, pretty baby, why can't you be true
# I need your lovin' baby, oh, so bad
# The best little woman that I ever had
# Slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
# You gotta give me a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Oh! If you want our love to last #
(Woman) # Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me
# Thrill me, honey, honey, thrill me
# Don't care even if I blow my top
# But honey, honey
- # Don't stop
- (Drunken men sing along)
# I'd like to play a little game with you
- # A little game especially made for two
- (Drunk men) # Made for two
# If you come close then I will show you how
# Closer, closer now
- (Man) What do you fancy?
- # Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me
# Thrill me, honey, honey, thrill me
(Men, drunkenly) # Thrill me
(Singer) # I don't even care if I blow my top
# But honey, honey, don't stop... #
# Don't stop
- Hey, you.
- It's not me, mate. It's him.
Yeah, but you'll do.
- # So settle down and let me teach you how
- You, fuck off.
- # Closer, closer now... #
- What's this?
It's nothing.
- Call that nothing?
- What do you call it?
- Filth.
- That's not filth. That's art.
- He says this is art.
- Call that art?
- Yeah, well...
- That's Nancy. That's my girl.
(Singer) # Don't stop... #
- That's your girl?
- No, never.
She'd never throw herself away
on shite like you.
What did he say?
He says you're too fucking ugly.
- (Glass shatters)
- # But honey, honey
(Woman) Ow!
(Singer) # Don't stop
(Shouting)
# You kiss so well my lips begin to burn
Quick. Let's get out.
# ..you've got a lot to learn
- # So hold me close and baby, show me how
- He's over there, on the right.
# Closer, closer now
# Kiss me... #
(Song continues in background)
(Both laugh)
(Long sigh)
All right, lads, a joke's a joke.
Well, here's another joke.
See if you get a laugh out of this.
Go!
- (Thuds)
- Aagh!
Get off, you bastard.
- Leave it, will you? Leave it!
- I'll fucking kill you!
You fucking killed him.
(Strains and gasps)
- I'll kill you. I'll kill all of you.
- Oh, yeah?
I'm gonna bring a crew down here
and kick the shite out of you.
- (Man in gang) Nancy boy!
- Bastards.
- (Man, distant) Fuck off.
- You're all shite, the lot of ya.
(Coughs)
You all right, Stu?
Huh... (Sniffs)
How do I look?
Put it this way -
you'll get better, I'll always be ugly.
(Children chattering)
(Record) # I've got a woman...
# They call her Chocolate Brown
# I've got a woman
# They call her Chocolate Brown
# Once she's started lovin'
# Oh, she just won't stop... #
Good.
# I got a bright woman... #
You call that art?
It doesn't look a bit like me.
- It's not finished.
- It doesn't look like anything.
# Sweet as she can be...
Stop it.
Stop it, I said, before I get cross.
Look at you, you're a bloody mess.
- (Door opening)
- What?
Cream tea, anybody?
Ask him what he thinks.
- What do you think, John?
- Does that look like me?
- Does it?
- You got the tits right.
- You shag her?
- There's more to life than shagging Celia.
- Sabrina.
- Because I'll shag her for you.
Don't be too shy to ask.
What friends are for.
- What do you think?
- Do you want the truth?
Please.
Hanging's too good for it.
- 50 guineas.
- That's cheap.
Don't let it go to your head. It might be ten years
before you sell another one.
Van Gogh never sold a picture in his life.
Yes!
I like the blonde but I prefer the brunette.
- Blondes have more fun.
- Who says?
- Swedes.
- It's got to look good.
You'll get it for 50, you know.
(Train rattling on rails)
(Bells pealing)
(John) Liverpool. Home of...
(Stu) Liverpudlians.
You know what I like about Liverpool, Mr. Sutcliffe?
No. What is it you like about it, Mr. Lennon?
I was hoping you'd tell me.
I know what Arthur's gonna say.
He's gonna say, "I gave you a chance.
"I put a brush in your hand,
I went out on a limb for you
"and you're tossing it away to play bass
in John Lennon's skiffle band."
Not a skiffle band.
It's a rock-'n'-roll band.
- "I opened doors for you..."
- It's not my band. It's a group.
We're a group. We're in it together.
- He's gonna shit himself.
- I like Arthur.
You know, he's all right.
But he thinks art's something
you got to hang on the wall in a pool of light.
It's a disease with him.
He thinks it's all about van Gogh.
- Nothing wrong with van Gogh.
- I had a word with him.
- Did you?
- Bumped into him in The Grapes.
I said, "Vincent, where did it all go wrong?"
- You know what he said?
- What?
He said, "If I could do it all again,
"I'd be up there shaking me bum
doing Blue Suede Shoes.
"It's all dick." That's what he said.
- I gave him your regards.
- Thanks.
You're a painter, Stu.
You are the best I've got.
I'm coming back.
- It's a pisser to throw it away.
- I'm not throwing anything away.
You could teach me a damn sight more
than I could ever teach you.
Arthur, I'm 19 years old.
I've got me whole life.
- And where's it gonna get you?
- Hamburg, for a start.
(Whistles) Take it easy, mate. Put it up there.
(Paul) Hey.
- It's a bit rough out there.
- It's nothing. Bit of a swell, that's all.
- You call that a swell?
- I call it mother's milk.
My dad was a sailor, and his dad.
I'm the son of a son of a sailor.
Bollocks.
Mum! Mum!
- Here.
- What is it?
- Scones. I've made you some scones.
- Mum, they've got food on the ferry.
- They haven't got my scones.
- I can't take scones.
If the lads know, I'll never hear the end of it.
- I'm in a rock-'n'-roll group, Mum.
- (Sighs)
So have you ever been abroad before?
Overseas, like?
Oh, aye. Yeah.
Yeah, I've been to the Isle of Wight.
- I'll write.
- You'd better.
Oh, every day. Every minute. Every second.
Now and then would be a start.
You're a tough negotiator, Miss Powell.
(Paul) Come on, George, we're starving.
- There's food on the ferry.
- Where are those scones your mother makes?
All right, lads.
(Ship horn sounds)
Shall we?
(Groans)
Is that right, pal?
You did say your father was a sailor?
(Retches violently)
You did say the sea was in your blood?
- (Silence)
- Sorry? Missed that.
I said...
Oh! Ugh!
You horrible filth.
(As pirate) Believe I'm feeling a shade better now,
but I do believe the captain's
trod on me parrot, sir, arrr, arrr!
(Chuckles)
# Bright lights
# Big city... #
Look.
# Gone to my baby's head
# Oh, bright lights
# Big city
# Gone to my baby's head
(Shouting)
# I tried to tell the woman
but she don't believe a word I said
# Go light
# Pretty baby
# You'll need my help someday
# Oh, it's all right
# Pretty baby...
(Car horn)
# You're gonna need my help someday
# You're gonna wish you had listened... #
(Engine rewing)
(Chatter)
Fuckin' hell!
Fuckin' hell.
Wow.
- It's only temporary.
- Temporary?
What do you want for nothing?
You Top Ten yet?
You haven't done nothing yet.
People have died in here.
You can smell 'em.
(John) Whole families.
- (German accent) This is them?
- This is them.
- Yeah, we're them.
- This is Bruno.
You are how old?
- 18.
- 18. Everything's cool.
Everyone's 18.
- Lads, this is it. Remember the song.
- (Cheering)
- What's the song?
- (Laughter)
(# Saxophone blues)
(Cheering, whistling and whooping)
(Music ends, applause)
(Booing and hissing)
Good evening, ladies and genitals,
we're the band.
You'll be happy to know
we keep our clothes on.
(Silence)
Er...on drums, Mr. Pete Best.
On guitar, Mr. Paul McCartney.
On bass, recently arrived
from the dark side of the moon,
Mr. Stuart Sutcliffe.
And on guitar, Mr. George Harrison.
He's only just on solid food.
My name's Lennon.
John Winston Lennon.
I was named after Churchill -
John Churchill, the wet fish man.
Me parents were gonna call me after me father
but Dad's such a stupid fucking name.
(Silence)
If you'd all like to line up
and tell us your names.
- Thank you, brother.
- One, two, three, four.
(# Rock-'n'-roll)
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# From the early, early mornin'
to the early, early night
# You can see Miss Molly rockin'
at the house of blue light
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# Momma, Poppa told me
son, you'd better watch your step
# If he knew about Miss Molly
I'd have to watch my pa myself
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call
# Going to the corner,
gonna buy a diamond ring
# She hugged me and she kissed me,
made me ting-a-ling-a-ling
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and a rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call #
(Excited moaning)
(Bed rattling)
- Sutcliffe?
- Not now, John.
Tell all our listeners out there,
how are you finding it here in Hamburg?
(Excited moaning)
(Moaning continues)
- You are not cold?
- Cold? Me? No.
I don't feel the cold.
(Orgasmic shrieking)
You, erm...don't want to go inside?
I'd sooner freeze.
(Woman yells and gasps)
(With posh voice) So, Sutcliffe, I know
all our listeners will want to ask you this,
are you glad you came?
Was it the right choice?
# Oh, Carol
- (Cheering)
- # Don't let him steal your heart away
# I'm gonna learn to dance
if it takes me all night and day
(Whistling)
# If you wanna hear some music
like the boys are playin'
# Hold tight, tap your foot,
don't let 'em carry you away
# Don't let the heat overcome you
when they play it so loud
(Whooping and whistling)
# Well, let the music intrigue you
when they get a crowd
# Well, if you can't dance,
I know that you wish you could
# I got my eyes on you baby
cos you dance so good #
(Cheering, applause and whistling)
# I remember too a distant bell
# And the stars that fell
# Like the rain out of the blue
# When my life is through
- # And the angels ask me to recall... #
- Hey!
I don't want you doing that.
Listen, you.
You want to fight somebody, fight me.
If you don't want to fight,
then listen to the fucking band.
If you don't want to listen to the band,
fuck off and choke to death.
Do you understand me?
Get me meaning, mate?
I can't fight you.
You're wearing a dress.
(Laughter)
All right, here's a slow one
for all you lovebirds out there.
# Well, I got a girl with a record machine
# Comes to lovin', she's the queen
# We go to dance on a Saturday night
# All alone I can hold her tight
# She lives on the 20th floor uptown
# The elevator's broken down
# So I walk one, two flight, three flight, four
# Five, six, seven flight, eight flight more
# Up to the twelfth, I'm starting to drag
# Fifteenth floor, I'm ready to sag
# Get to the top, I'm too tired to rock
# Well, she called me up on the telephone
# "Come over, baby, I'm all alone"
# I said, "Baby, you're mighty sweet
# "But I'm in bed with aching feet"
# This went on for a couple of days
# But I could not stay away
# So I walk one, two flight, three flight, four
# Five, six, seven flight, eight flight more
# Up to the twelfth, I'm starting to drag
# Fifteenth floor, I'm ready to sag
# Get to the top, I'm too tired to rock #
That's 7.50.
My name is Klaus.
Cheers, Klaus.
- It sounds German.
- Why are you over here, Klaus?
I liked your show. You had fun.
Fun? You call that fun?
What do you call it?
I call it three nights with no sleep,
too long between drinks,
I call it dying for a piss.
I call it a hard fucking day's night.
Is he always like this?
No. You'd be surprised,
he can be quite bitter and twisted.
What's the problem, Paul?
- (Sighs) It's about Stu.
- What about Stu?
He just stands there.
I know you can play bass
better than he can, we all know that.
But what Stu plays is just right.
It's rock-'n'-roll.
I know he's great
but all he does is stand there.
It's the way he stands.
English!
Showtime!
Come on, Bruno, have a heart,
we're knackered.
One o'clock. Showtime.
Just look at us.
Look at George, he's dead on his feet.
Look at Pete, his hands are fucked.
Look at me, I'm knackered.
I'm a shadow of meself.
- I haven't eaten in a week.
- Here.
I was thinking more
along the lines of a steak.
# Saw Uncle John with Long Tall Sally
# He saw Aunt Mary comin'
and he ducked back in the alley, oh, baby
# Yeah, baby
# Ooh, baby
# Havin' some fun tonight - whoa!
(Screams)
# Well, Long Tall Sally,
she's built for speed, she got
# Everything that Uncle John needs, oh, baby
# Yeah, baby
# Ooh, baby
# Havin' some fun tonight, yeah
# Yeah, yeah
# Have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight
# Everything's all right
# Gonna have some fun tonight
# Have some fun, some...
yeah, yeah, yeah #
(Knocks)
- (John) I can't sleep.
- Me, neither.
That's much better.
- All the difference.
- Mm.
(# Faint rock-'n'-roll)
# If you wanna dance with me
# If you wanna dance with me
# I took my loved one over 'cross the tracks
# So she could hear my man a-wailin' sax
# I must admit they had a rockin' band
# Man, they were blowin' like a hurricane
# That's why I go for that rock and roll music
# Any old way you choose it
# It's got a backbeat you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
# It's gotta be rock and roll music
# If you wanna dance with me
# If you wanna dance with me
# Way down south they gave a jubilee
# Those Georgia folks they had a jamboree
# They're drinking homebrew from a wooden cup
# The folks dancin' got all shook up
# They started playing that rock and roll music
# Any old time you use it
# It's got a backbeat you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
# It's gotta be rock and roll music... #
(Speaks German)
# I'm in the mood to hear a mambo... #
(Speaks German)
# Some people rockin' that piano
# That's why I go for that rock and roll music
# Any old time you use it
# It's got a backbeat you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
# It's gotta be rock and roll music
# If you wanna dance with me
# If you wanna dance with me #
(Cheering and applause)
Stuart. This is Astrid.
Astrid.
Fancy a drink?
Yes.
But not here.
- What's this place?
- It's a club.
- What does "enfer" mean?
- Hell.
Sounds promising.
(# Trumpet jazz)
(Chatter, indistinct)
- Ta.
- What do you call that?
Henry.
- Paul.
- Danke.
(Stu) I see your picture.
- It's not me.
- Of course it is.
It's nothing.
I was just testing the lighting.
You don't say much, do you?
Drummers don't talk.
You must have noticed that.
Might as well be deaf and dumb, drummers.
When was the last time
you heard a drummer say anything?
See?
You know why, don't you?
I'll tell you why,
cos nobody ever fucking listens.
It's all dick.
I could do with another Henry.
It's all dick, all this.
You dress up just to be noticed, to impress.
- Is that so terrible?
- Just to be noticed?
It's all bollocks, that. It's all down to dick.
Eh? So why don't we just
fucking say it for a change?
Never mind all the talk.
Never mind all the fucking bollocks.
All everybody wants
is a bit of fucking dick.
- Is he always like this?
- Why don't we say it?
- Why are you doing this?
- A bit of dick never hurt anyone. Never led to war.
- (Stuart) He thinks you're out of his league.
- Liars lead to war.
He thinks if he tried to pull you, you'd laugh.
Everybody's trying to impress
everybody else.
I used to do it, the same thing.
When I was about 15. Yeah.
Yeah? I've given up trying, mate.
You'll never shag her, Stu.
Get that into your head.
She's here with her fucking boyfriend.
I don't get on my knees...
- He's sorry he's doing this.
- I'm not sorry!
You should be.
I'm telling the truth.
It's the fucking truth, lad.
You haven't got the balls to chat her up
so you're having a dig.
That's the fucking truth.
You haven't got the balls because
you think she's out of your league.
That's what hurts, mate, isn't it?
She's out of your fucking league.
# Time to go home, time to go home
# Andy and Teddy
are waving good night #
Let's go. Come on.
Bollocks, Stu.
Thank you.
Hey, John, slow down.
- He's jealous.
- You think so?
You hurt his feelings.
He'll get over it.
(Distant ship horn)
- So, did you shag her, then?
- She's a photographer.
Klaus designs record covers.
You'll never shag her, not her.
Not Astrid. Not with all that lot.
You know that, don't you?
She's a photographer.
You'd like her if you gave yourself the chance.
She wants to take our photograph.
She can photograph my arse, mate.
# I'm a roadrunner, honey
# Beep-beep
# Ah-ah-ah
# Beep-beep
# I'm a roadrunner, honey
# And you can't keep up with me
# I'm a roadrunner, honey
# And you can't keep up with me
# Come on, let's race
# Ah-ah-ah
# Baby, baby, you will see
# Beep-beep
# Here I come
# Yeah, beep-beep
# Move on over, honey
# Let me by... #
How do I look?
I would like to invite you to my house.
If you want.
- You accept?
- I accept.
Then you can see the photographs.
You will see what you look like to me.
# Ah-ah-ah
# Beep-beep #
(# Slow jazz record)
(Doorbell)
- You came.
- You asked.
(Quiet chatter in German)
This is Mr. Sutcliffe.
(Woman) Ah!
Hello.
- Everybody is talking about you.
- What are they saying?
That you're in a band
down on the Reeperbahn.
They say that you are quite fantastic.
Klaus is quite wild about this music.
But he did not tell us you are so beautiful.
(Laughs nervously)
(Record crackles)
(# Slow Latin rhythm)
Is he your boyfriend?
Klaus.
I've known Klaus all my life.
We have been lovers since we were born.
Fuckin' hell.
It's great. It's fucking great.
(Phone ringing)
Good evening, ladies and genitals.
We're going to do a little request.
Stu is going to sing youse a song.
We don't normally do requests
but it's Stu's request
and if we don't let him do it,
he'll only wet the bed.
Ta.
# Love me tender
# Love me sweet
# Never let me go
# You have made my life complete
# And I love you so
# Love me tender
# Love me true
# All my dreams fulfilled
# For my darling, I love you
# And I always will
# Love me tender
# Love me long
# Take me to your home... #
- Fuck. John!
- # Love me tender... #
Get out. Get out.
# Let me hear some of that rock and roll music... #
Fuck.
He fucked off, didn't he?
- He took one look. You know why?
- Yeah, I know why.
- Because we were shite.
- Yes, shite.
We're a rock-'n'-roll group, not a charity show.
- Well, fuck him.
- Listen, John, this group can't carry Stu.
We're not that good.
- You want him out.
- That's not what I said.
Listen, you. If Stu goes, I go.
Do you understand that?
No, you won't.
Did somebody die?
You can't do your solo spot anymore, Stu.
- Why's that?
- Because it's shite.
Give it to me straight.
Let's not beat around the bush.
You happy now?
(Distorted music and German voices)
(Engine rewing)
What are you doing here?
I went for a walk.
How long have you been here?
How long? Actually how long?
Ja. You're in front of my house.
How long have you been here?
Not long. Got lost.
I'm going to a movie. Do you want to come?
Sure.
(French dialogue on film)
(Recites dialogue along with film)
- I must go.
- I'll come with you.
- No.
- See you to the door.
- No.
- Why not?
Because I say so.
Too bad.
Tomorrow I'm driving out to the Elbe.
Have you been there?
The Elbe?
You can come if you like.
We can make some photographs.
Do you accept?
You could try twisting me arm.
(# Loud rock-'n'-roll)
# Have some fun tonight
# Have some fun tonight
# Yeah, have some fun tonight
# Have some fun tonight
# Have some fun, have some fun tonight #
- (Cheering and applause)
- Ta. Our friend's here.
- I went to the pictures.
- See anything good?
- Very good.
- That's all right, then.
Cos I'd hate to waste your fucking time
or anything like that.
Look who's here.
- Thanks.
- Thanks very much.
- Cheers.
- Zum Wohl.
So, tomorrow we will make a record.
- Yes?
- Yeah!
- Tomorrow?
- You have something better to do?
It is a backing record.
Maybe it will not be such a great record
but it goes round and round.
- (Laughter)
- It'll be great. Don't you worry about that.
I don't care
if it's Polly Put The Fucking Kettle On.
It'll be great because it's us, you see.
What he's saying is, we'll be there.
Yeah. I'm saying we'll be there.
Oh, yeah, we'd be quite prepared
for that eventuality.
Wouldn't we, Paul?
We're gonna be big, Sutcliffe.
You know that, don't ya?
I can see it coming.
We're gonna be too big for Hamburg.
We're gonna be too big for Liverpool.
Are you listening to me?
We're gonna be too big
for our own bloody good.
- Rise and shine, Tonto.
- Come on, Stu.
- I'm not coming. I'm ill.
- Ill? You're not ill.
- I'm sick. I feel like shite.
- Bollocks.
- I've been up all night, John.
- This is our big break.
- Get up now or we'll do it without ya.
- Do it without me, then.
All right, then. We will.
And we'll do it a damn sight better and all.
(Slow and smooth)
# My bonnie lies over the ocean
# My bonnie lies over the sea
# Ooh, ooh, ooh
# My bonnie lies over the ocean
# Ooh, ooh
# Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
# Oh, bring back my bonnie
# Ooh, ooh
# To me
# Ooh #
(Birds cawing)
You're serious about this, aren't you?
Of course. I'm German.
I should have known.
(Rock-'n'-roll beat)
# My bonnie lies over the ocean
# My bonnie lies over the sea
# Well, my bonnie lies over the ocean
# Whoa-whoa-whoa
# Yeah, bring back my bonnie to me
# Yeah, bring back... #
(Water lapping, bell striking)
The truth is I'm not much of a bass player.
This whole look was all John's idea.
It means the world to him -
the band, making a record.
- They'll do it too. You watch.
- And you?
- I just came along for a laugh.
- A laugh?
See the sights. Have a bit of fun.
Make all the pretty girls cry.
# Bring back, oh, bring back my bonnie to me... #
Astrid.
(She moans softly)
(Both laughing)
"She was very much half-dressed
"and big, indiscreet trees
"threw out their leaves against the pane:
"cunningly, and close, quite close."
Premire Soire, it is called.
First Night?
He was 16.
Do with a bit of color in here.
Do with a bit of red.
I like red. Lots of red.
Do you know why they roll out the red carpet?
For the king and queen.
They don't roll out a blue carpet
or a green carpet.
It's always red.
Red is the color of the Liverpool football team,
currently struggling
in the second division
but a super bunch of lads all the same.
You like football?
I like a result.
Klaus.
(Speaks German)
(Speaks German)
Klaus.
You're wearing my robe.
# Baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
(Giggling) # Come on, come on,
come on, baby now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah... #
- Yeah. Change the key, though.
- Sounds all right.
Oh, yeah. We're clever lads.
Who's this?
- Ringo.
- Ringo?
- Yeah, Ringo.
- He's a drummer from up the street.
- He's in me bed.
- He's very sick.
- What's wrong?
- He can't be moved.
- He can't stay.
- I heard you didn't live here.
- Heard where?
- You've moved in with the SS.
- Leave it.
- Leave what?
- All the patronizing German shite.
- It's only a joke, Stu.
It's always a joke with you, John, isn't it?
Don't you ever get tired?
Cos if you're moving in with the SS,
don't turn up at the Kaiser Keller tonight.
- What are you saying?
- (Laughs)
We've moved up the street.
We're at Top Ten now.
- The Top Ten?
- Top of the bill.
Great.
# The best things in life are free
# But you can give them to the birds and bees
# I need money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# Your love gives me such a thrill
# But your love don't pay my bills
# I need money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# Money don't get everything, it's true
# But what it don't get, I can't use
I need money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# Give me money
# That's what I want
# All right, money
# That's what I want
# Give me money
# That's what I want
# Lots of money
# That's what I want
# That's what I want
# That's what I want #
(Cheering and applause)
(John) 'Thank you very much indeed.'
(Birdsong)
(Dog barking in distance)
(Pigeon cooing)
Ich liebe dich.
What's that?
"I love you." In German.
Only in German?
Any way you wish.
- You've read all these?
- (Astrid) Of course not.
No, but you like to read. You're a big reader.
One or two.
Yeah, a big thinker.
You like all that, don't you, theory?
Sartre, Cocteau, and all their lot,
all that Left Bank shower.
Little Bohemians sitting around
drinking Chateau Spazzo
- and listening to Edith Piaf.
- You don't like Edith Piaf?
She's all right but she's an old woman,
she's got one foot in the grave.
I could never love anyone
who didn't love Edith Piaf.
You know my theory about art?
Did I ever tell you?
- It's all dick?
- Exactly.
- I wonder what makes you so...
- So what?
Such an arsehole.
Practice.
You are the angriest person I have ever met.
- What makes you so angry?
- I'm not angry.
I would like to be your friend.
You would like to be my friend
but you cannot behave like a friend to me.
You deny me. You deny yourself.
It helps nobody. Nobody's any happier.
It's such a waste of time.
Why don't I let you into a secret,
just between the two of us?
I'm not angry, sister.
I'm fucking desperate.
I think you're jealous.
Jealous? Jealous of who? Jealous of Stu?
Jealous of me.
(Loud knock, shouting in German)
- Aye aye. Gestapo.
- The police.
(Siren wails)
Knock, knock.
(Distant shouting)
(Sirens and bullhorns in distance)
- What's going on, then?
- Pontoon.
We're being deported.
(Speaks German)
He says George is underage.
- No, no, no, you can't do that, mate.
- You can't do this. We're a group.
- You're a group?
- Tell him.
So you're still a group.
It really is the showers you're taking us to,
isn't it, Mr. Goebbels?
(PA announcement in German)
- You will come back?
- I'll write.
- I don't like letters.
- I'll write anyway.
I have to see your eyes when you talk to me.
You don't have to open them.
Throw them in a drawer.
When I come back,
we can open them, have a laugh.
Don't you have something to say to me?
- I love you in German.
- Only in German?
Ich liebe dich.
Anywhere, anyhow, anytime.
- So I give you back.
- (Guard's whistle blows)
Bye.
I love you.
(Astrid) "'And big, indiscreet trees
"'threw out their leaves against the pane:
"'cunningly, and close, quite close."'
I've been reading these poems.
Rimbaud.
He's French.
I know Rimbaud.
You should read them.
A Season In Hell.
He was in a lot of pain.
Should be right up your street.
He was a queer.
He'd fuck anything that threw a shadow.
- Sheep, goats.
- He was possessed.
That's what Astrid said.
I met a fellow in Hamburg.
I didn't tell you this.
He's from the art school.
His name is Paolozzi.
I let him have a look at
some of the paintings I was doing.
- I'll go and see him when we get back.
- What do you mean?
See if he'll take me on. Some kind of grant.
- What about the band, Stu?
- I've got to get back there, John.
I haven't done a stroke since I left.
Band or no band, I've got to get back there.
She thinks I'm queer, Astrid.
- Bollocks.
- You heard her. She thinks I fancy you.
That's not what she said.
She said she thinks we love one another.
And what did you say?
I might have grunted.
What's the odds? It's all dick.
Fifteen!
Sixteen!
Seventeen!
Eighteen!
(Whooping)
Is there anyone who can
help this man out with a blow job?
(All cheer)
Ta, Cyn.
(# Rock-'n'-roll)
# If you wanna hear some music
like the boys are playin'
# Hold tight, tap your foot,
don't let 'em carry you away
# Don't let the heat overcome you
when you're playing so loud
# Let the music intrigue you
when they get a crowd
# Well, if you can't dance,
I know that you wish you could
# I got my eyes on you, baby,
cos you dance so good #
(Girls screaming)
(Train horn)
(Brakes screeching)
Come on. Rise and shine, Tonto.
Come on, surf's up.
Hamburgy-burgy-burgy.
(People speaking German)
(Station announcement in German)
Breaks your fucking heart, doesn't it?
I never finished this.
(Laughing) The painting!
Fuck the painting.
Open your eyes.
You've made me look like Klaus.
(Astrid) You don't like it?
I know what John's going to say.
Fuckin' hell.
(# Rock-'n'-roll)
# Well, you know that I love you,
tell the world that I do
# C'mon, pretty baby, why can't you be true?
# I need your lovin', baby, oh, so bad
# The best little woman that I ever had
# Slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
(# Out-of-tune bass notes)
# You gotta give me a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Oh! If you want our love to last #
(Cheering)
- (John) Thanks.
- You off? Pressing engagement?
- You're a bit flat.
- Flat?
I think it's the E string. Ask John.
Oh! I'm flat? Me!
That's it. Finish.
- Leave it alone.
- Something's got to be done.
We can't go on like this.
Half the time he doesn't turn up.
When he does, he's in the fifth dimension.
It's a waste of fucking time.
I've told you before, Paul.
If you kick Stu out, I'll go with him.
No, you won't. You fucking won't.
- You know how good we can be.
- Not without me.
- You won't kiss it goodbye.
- Just watch me, mate.
What is it? What is it between you two?
- What is it?
- Yeah, what's going on?
- Are you saying I'm a queer? Is that it?
- Oh, look.
- You saying I'm a fucking fairy?
- That's not what I said.
- That's what you said!
- He never said that.
He never said you were a fairy.
For Christ's sake!
Will you just leave it alone?
He spoke.
You can't blame Paul.
You act like you're not interested.
- I'm not.
- Bollocks.
I'm not going to play in a band
for the rest of me life.
Paul is, you are. It's what you want.
Found something better, have you?
I'll let you know. I'm going to find out.
- Calls for a drink, eh?
- I've got to go, mate.
Stu, she's just a girl.
All right, she's got a bit of
je ne sais fucking quoi.
She swept you off your feet.
But she's just another shag.
She's having a bit of fun with you.
She hasn't finished with you yet.
- She'll get bored.
- You don't know her.
- She'll get tired.
- You don't know me either.
She'll finish with you like she did to Klaus!
She's going to do it to you too!
She'll fucking do it to you!
Fuck you. Fuck you.
Fuck you.
(# Latin-style pop with flute and drums)
(Man speaking Russian)
(Speaks Russian)
He knows War And Peace word by word.
- The whole thing?
- The whole thing, in Russian.
My advice - take two.
What can I say?
You don't need to say anything.
Calls for a drink.
(Cheering)
You can do it.
(Cheers become fainter, distorted)
(Cries out)
- (Gasps and yelps)
- Stuart!
- Klaus!
- (Klaus speaks German)
(Shouts in German)
This has happened to you how many times?
I don't know. A couple.
I'm in a band.
We play eight days a week.
It can give you a headache.
Hmm. Er...
Mm... (Speaks German)
A blow to the head.
- You have had such a blow?
- Who hasn't?
Hmm.
It was the pills, the speed.
I'll lay off the speed.
Ja. Do so, Mr. Sutcliffe.
And also do this -
slow down.
Take your time.
Life is long.
You must not be in too much of a hurry.
(Bicycle bell)
(Astrid) Well?
- What did he say?
- You want the truth?
Please.
He said I should find a nice German girl
and ask her to marry me.
Oh, that's absurd.
I think I've got something to offer.
I've got a long way to go. I know that.
I'm not trying to pass meself off
as something I'm not.
But I want to be a painter.
I want the chance.
(Speaks German)
So, what do you say?
# Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
# Any old way you choose it
# It's got a backbeat, you can't lose it
# Any old time you use it
- # It's gotta be rock and roll music
- (Dogs barking)
# If you wanna dance with me...
- I'm in! They said yes!
- Oh!
# ..modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast #
Great news!
- Cyn.
- Er, Miss Powell to you.
Stu!
I'm in. The art school said yes.
Bollocks.
(# Edith Piaf on radio)
Who's that?
That's that old Edith Piaf.
Up here.
I don't want a lot. The usual things.
I'd like a house. I'd like babies.
But all I really want is John.
He's all I've ever wanted.
John wants the world.
- That's it.
- Yes!
- She wants babies.
- I know.
She thinks you're going to marry her.
I am.
She's lucky.
Do you think so?
- Yuck.
- It's rum.
- That's what sailors drink.
- I'm a sailor.
I'm the son of a sailor.
I'm the son of a sailor's son.
Tell me something, John Lennon.
When you are rich and famous,
when you are number one,
when your name is in lights
and everybody wants to be your friend
and somebody asks,
"Do you remember Astrid in Hamburg?"
what will you say?
I'll say, "She was the girl I always wanted.
"The girl of me dreams.
"Like Brigitte Bardot with better manners.
"I might have fallen in love with her
"but she fell in love with me best friend.
"And that was the end of that."
I love him, John.
I do.
Yeah.
Don't we all?
Paul can play bass.
Paul can play bass a lot better than I can.
He can sing a lot better too.
He's a bit flat, you know.
You don't need me, John. You never did.
Yeah, but it was our band, wasn't it?
- You and me, Stu.
- No.
It was your band, yours and Paul's.
We're going to be big. You know that, don't ya?
You'll miss it, Stu.
You're going to kick yourself.
We've got them by the throat, Stu.
- You're going to be here in Hamburg.
- It's what I want.
It's where I want to be.
"There goes Stuart Sutcliffe."
That's what they'll say.
"He could have been in the Beatles."
"There goes Stu Sutcliffe."
"He fell in love with a German girl.
"He could have been in the Beatles
"but he never really learned how to play."
(Whooping)
(Laughter)
# Wait!
# Oh, yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
# Wait!
# Wa-a-ait, Mr. Postman
- # Mr. Postman, look and see
- (Screaming)
# Oh, yeah
# Is there a letter in your bag for me?
# Please, please, Mr. Postman
# I've been waitin' a long, long time
# Oh, yeah
# Since I heard from that girl of mine
# There must be some word today
# From my girlfriend so far away
# Please, Mr. Postman, look and see
# If there's a letter, a letter for me
# I've been standing here waiting, Mr. Postman
# So patiently
# For just a card, or just a letter
# Saying she'll be coming home to me
# Please, Mr. Postman
# Mr. Postman, look and see
# Oh, yeah
# Is there a letter in your bag for me?
# Please, please, Mr. Postman
# I've been waiting a long, long time
# Oh, yeah... #
They were right.
# So many days, you pass me by... #
I give you back.
# See the tear standing in my eye
# You didn't stop to make me feel better
- But only for tonight.
# By leaving me a card or a letter
# Mr. Postman
# Mr. Postman, look and see
# Is there a letter in your bag for me?
- # I been waiting such a long time
- (Hysterical screaming)
# Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine
# You gotta wait a minute,
wait a minute, oh, yeah
# Wait a minute, wait a minute
# Please, Mr. Postman
# Wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
# Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
- # You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
- (Screaming)
# You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
# Please, Mr. Postman
# Wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
# Oh, yeah
# Wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman #
(Cheering and whistling)
Thank you very much.
See you, then.
- All right.
- (Car horn)
Bollocks!
- See you, then, Stu.
- Paul.
Hope it all works out.
You know what you're doing.
- I do.
- We're going to miss you.
- Ah, you're well off.
- Listen.
Whatever I said, I never meant it.
Don't pay any attention.
Never did, mate.
Take care.
- Good luck.
- I'll say hello to Elvis for you.
- I'll give him your regards.
- Right.
- Take care, huh?
- You too.
Pete.
George, bye.
- All the best, Stu.
- Take care of yourself.
- Good luck.
- See you later, mate.
- Knock 'em dead.
- Auf Wiedersehen.
(Newsreader speaking German)
(Door opens)
- What's he doing here?
- Something terrible has happened.
- He's drunk.
- John said it. He fucking said it.
- You'd do it to Klaus, you'll do it to me.
- You're making a mistake.
Fuck you!
(Astrid) Stuart!
Fuck you. Fuck you.
- (Astrid) Stuart!
- Fuck you.
Get up!
Stuart! Stop it!
(Glass shatters)
(Whimpers)
(Sobs)
(Distant thunder)
I don't know what happened.
It wasn't me.
Who, then?
I don't know.
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
What will become of us?
# Momma, Poppa told me,
son, you'd better watch your step
# If he knew about Miss Molly
I'd have to watch my pa myself
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call - whaaa!
(Screaming)
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# Good golly, Miss Molly
# Sure likes to ball
# When you're rockin' and rollin'
# Can't hear your momma call #
(Cheering and whistling)
(Airplane passes overhead)
Like your hair.
- You should rest.
- No.
I have something to show you.
Damn!
- Put it on.
- No.
- Why not?
- You know why not.
Because you broke the radiogram.
What is it?
What's wrong?
They are going to be famous.
I don't want them to be famous.
Bollocks.
You'll think that you did the wrong thing.
You will try not to think it,
you will push it out of the way
but it will keep coming back.
- And you will hate me.
- No.
You've got it wrong.
You've got it all wrong.
They'll be famous.
The world's not big enough for John.
All he ever needed
was to see his way past me.
You showed him how.
I never had a moment's doubt.
I love you.
- I've got a surprise for you.
- I don't like surprises.
Everybody likes surprises.
- Not me.
- You'll like this one.
- Not me.
- Yes, you will.
(Grunts)
Aagh!
(Gasps, cries out)
Astrid! Astrid!
(Astrid) Coming!
Da-dah!
I'm sorry.
Stuart?
Sweetie?
No!
Oh, Stu...
You know what I like about Hamburg?
- No. What do you like about Hamburg?
- I was hoping you'd tell me.
Where's Stu?
Look at you.
- How do I look?
- Like a star.
Where is he?
He's gone.
He's dead.
- He was here?
- Yes.
- Just now?
- He's always here.
All right, everyone.
Here's a song for absent friends.
# Love me tender
# Love me sweet
# Never let me go
# You have made my life complete
# And I love you so #
Fuck it, let's go!
(Girls screaming)
(# Twist And Shout)
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah, ah
# Whoa, whaaaa
# Well, shake it up, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
# C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out, ooh
# Well, work it on out, now
# Work it on out
# You know you look so good
# Look so good
# You know you got me going, now
# Got me going
# Just like I knew you would
# Like I knew you would, ooh
# Well, shake it up, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
# C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out
# You know you twist little girl
# Twist little girl
# You know you twist so fine
# Twist so fine
# Come on and twist a little closer, now
# Twist a little closer
# And let me know that you're mine
# Let me know you're mine, ooh!
(Screaming and cheering)
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah, ah
# Just shake it up baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Twist and shout
# Twist and shout
# C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
# Come on, baby
# Come on and work it on out
# Work it on out, ooh
# You know you twist little girl
# Twist little girl
# You know you twist so fine
# Twist so fine
# Come on and twist a little closer, now
# Twist a little closer
# And let me know that you're mine
# Let me know you're mine, ooh
# Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
# Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
# Shake it up, baby
(Building harmony) # Ah, ah, ah, ah #
(Hysterical screaming)
(# Slow Down)
# Well, come on, pretty baby,
won't you walk with me?
# Come on, pretty baby, won't you talk with me?
# Come on, pretty baby, give me one more chance
# Try and save our romance
# Slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
# You gotta give me a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Oh! If you want our love to last
# Well, I used to walk you home, baby, after school
# Carry your books home too
# But now you got a boyfriend down the street
# Baby, what you trying to do?
# Better slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
# You gotta gimme a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Brrrr! If you want our love to last
# Ow!
# Well, you know that I love you, tell the world I do
# Come on, pretty baby, why can't you be true
# I need your lovin' baby, oh, so bad
# The best little woman that I ever had
# Slow down
# Baby, now you're movin' way too fast
# You gotta give me a little lovin',
give me a little lovin'
# Oh! If you want our love to last #