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No Hamburg, No Beatles

“We were born in Liverpool but grew up in Hamburg”, John Lennon once said. This feature documentary seeks to find the truth in those words. The long and winding road that the Beatles took to worldwide fame passed through Hamburg, Germany in the early 1960s. Only a couple of years before they became household names, the former Quarrymen were cutting their musical teeth on nightclub stages in the city. Hamburg had become the vice capital of Europe after World War Two, its neon-lit streets home to sailors, sex workers, drug dealers, gangs and low life. Meanwhile, the English band was still developing, still young and virtually unknown. By the time of their last German visit in 1966, the Beatles were an international phenomenon. 'No Hamburg, No Beatles' explains how learning their trade in this fascinating city helped propel them to global stardom.

Top Cast

  • Frank McDonough

    Frank McDonough

    Self

  • John Lennon

    John Lennon

    Self (voice) (archive footage)

  • Paul McCartney

    Paul McCartney

    Self (voice) (archive footage)

  • Pete Best

    Pete Best

    Self

  • Rosie McGinnity

    Rosie McGinnity

    Self

  • Carol Phillips

    Carol Phillips

    Self

  • Allan Williams

    Allan Williams

    Self

  • Ulf Krüger

    Ulf Krüger

    Self

  • Howie Casey

    Howie Casey

    Self

Overview

“We were born in Liverpool but grew up in Hamburg”, John Lennon once said. This feature documentary seeks to find the truth in those words. The long and winding road that the Beatles took to worldwide fame passed through Hamburg, Germany in the early 1960s. Only a couple of years before they became household names, the former Quarrymen were cutting their musical teeth on nightclub stages in the city. Hamburg had become the vice capital of Europe after World War Two, its neon-lit streets home to sailors, sex workers, drug dealers, gangs and low life. Meanwhile, the English band was still developing, still young and virtually unknown. By the time of their last German visit in 1966, the Beatles were an international phenomenon. 'No Hamburg, No Beatles' explains how learning their trade in this fascinating city helped propel them to global stardom.

Rating

7.5 / 10
5 Reviews
1 Popular

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