The musicians from Liverpool set out to conquer Hamburg. Backbeat shows the beginnings of the Beatles, when bassist Stuart Sutcliff was still a member of the band. The fifth Beatle did not embark on the path to overwhelming success because of his love to a German painter and photographer. The film reveals the forgotten story of the band and shows the difficult choice between a musical career, long-term friendship and budding love.

Directed by: Iain Softley
Script: Iain Softley, Michael Thomas, Stephen Ward
Cinematography: Ian Wilson
Music: Don Was
Sound design: Glenn Freemantle
Editing: Martin Walsh
Production: Finola Dwyer, Stephen Woolley