No Hamburg No Beatles (2025)

  • TP
  • 01/10/2025 (FR)
  • Documentary, Music
  • 55m

Overview

“We were born in Liverpool but grew up in Hamburg” John Lennon. 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 Hamburg. In the 15 years after the end of WW2 Hamburg had become the vice capital of Europe. Its neon lit streets were home to sailors, prostitutes, drug dealers, gangs and low life. The group was still developing. At the time of their first Hamburg adventure, George Harrison, was only 17 years old. They were all still very young men, and their group was virtually unknown. By the time of their last German visit in 1966, the Beatles were a worldwide phenomenon.

Roger Appleton

Director, Writer

Cast

Frank McDonough's headshot

Frank McDonough

Self
Winston Churchill's headshot

Winston Churchill

Self (archive footage)
John Lennon's headshot

John Lennon

Self (voice) (archive footage)
Paul McCartney's headshot

Paul McCartney

Self (voice) (archive footage)
Pete Best's headshot

Pete Best

Self
Rosie McGinnity's headshot

Rosie McGinnity

Self
Carol Phillips's headshot

Carol Phillips

Self
Allan Williams's headshot

Allan Williams

Self

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