'Stuart Sutcliffe – The Lost Beatle' DVD

'Stuart Sutcliffe – The Lost Beatle' (Digital Classics) Released 20/03/06

Stuart Sutcliffe is often remembered as ‘The Lost Beatle’ or ‘the shadow behind the Beatles’, but for those who knew him well, they recognised that being a part of ‘The Beatles’ was only a fraction of his personality. He was the first to sport the ‘Beatles haircut’ and even appeared on the sleeve of 'Sergeant Peppers' but deep down who was this forgotten character? What were his fears? What were his dreams? We learn from this documentary that his two true loves were his art and his fiancée, Astrid Kircherr. These were the reasons for Sutcliffe’s departing The Beatles, these loves held the key to his dreams and desires. Sadly, these dreams never came to be anything but that when Sutcliffe tragically died from a brain haemorrhage.

Documenting enough Beatles trivia for fanatics but mainly focusing on the life of Stuart Sutcliffe, ‘Stuart Sutcliffe - The Lost Beatle’ is well worth a watch. It depicts Sutcliffe’s character beautifully, always emphasizing the romantic and sensitive nature of his being and his unconditional love for Astrid. It blends footage and interviews, to paint a truly remarkable picture of this influential and interesting man. Differing from well known Beatles film ‘Backbeat’, it provides a more intimate look at Sutcliffe’s character through his writing and his art.

This documentary portrays The Beatles from before their days of fan mania and follows their success to their tour of Germany where they truly found that fame. It was there that Sutcliffe found his love with Astrid Kircherr. It was due to this overwhelming love that Sutcliffe decided to quit the Beatles, leave his friend John Lennon and begin studying at the Hamburg State Art College. While the remaining four Beatles were enjoying their popularity and fame, Stuart’s health was quickly deteriorating. In 1962 he suffered a seizure, slipped into a coma and died in the arms of Astrid. It is in this documentary, that we are able to relive Sutcliffe through the words and love of Astrid. Other than this all that remains of his legacy is his art and the memories of those closest to him.

‘Stuart Sutcliffe - The Lost Beatle’ should be the first stop for people wanting to find out more about the tragic and fascinating life of Stuart. It tells most of all a tale not of 'The Beatles' but a tale of life, love and loss with which everyone can relate. The documentary left me feeling sadness at his death and a strange attachment to Sutcliffe, who truly was a captivating character. Highly recommended.

Film Description

The story of the shadow behind the Beatles, the fifth member of the group before the screaming teenage girls and the international fame. With a line-up of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best, and Stuart Sutcliffe, the Beatles began touring Germany in 1960. There they found their first tastes of fame and Sutcliffe found love with artist Astrid Kircherr. After the band's second trip to Hamburg, Sutcliffe stayed with Kircherr and began studying at the Hamburg State Art College, quitting the band. As the popularity of the band grew, Sutcliffe's health and sanity declined and in 1962 he suffered a seizure, slipped into a coma and died in the arms of his lover. Interviews with Kircherr, archive footage, intimate letters, poetry and artwork reconstruct moments from the life of the young artist and musician.

Film Details
Director Various / TV
Country UK Language English Year 2005
Technical Details
Certificate (Ex) Length 60 mins Label DIGCL
Cat No DC10008 Format DVD Colour Yes

http://www.moviemail-online.co.uk/films/17302;provider=kel1

Stuart Sutcliffe: The Lost Beatle
(Digital Classics)

Betty Clarke
Friday March 17, 2006
The Guardian

After the glossy treatment it was given in the 1994 biopic Backbeat, the life and loss of fifth Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe is finally pulled from beneath the shadow of his famous friends.

Revealed through his letters and the recollections of those closest to him, this is the un-rock'n'roll story of a sensitive soul and the twin loves of his life: abstract expressionist painting and photographer Astrid Kirchherr.

There are many salacious details of STDs and pill-popping, and discussions of just how close the friendship between Sutcliffe and John Lennon really was. But it's Sutcliffe's burgeoning artistic talent and Kirchherr's quiet dignity that resonate, her images capturing Sutcliffe's progression from the bequiffed "James Dean of Hamburg" to mop-topped and moody.

Aside from the heavy-handed implication that Lennon was responsible for Sutcliffe's death from a brain haemorrhage aged just 21, this is a tender exploration of a life cut short but not forgotten.

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1732632,00.html#article_continue

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