Original subtitles

(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.

50 fucking guineas.

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.

18 in February.

- 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... #