Main Cast: Paul McCartney, Bryan Brown, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Linda McCartney
Release Year: 1984
Country: UK
Run Time: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Having written the music and screenplay for this film, Paul McCartney also plays himself in the leading role. When the sole copy of McCartney's latest album is misplaced, he must discover its whereabouts in less than 24 hours or else risk losing his recording company to the lowlife Mr. Rath (John Bennett). McCartney performs three new songs, along with a number of classic Beatles' tunes. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
Review
In his post-Beatles years, Paul McCartney has on occasion elicited cries from his loyal fans along the lines of "What were you thinking?" Give My Regards to Broad Street was one such instance, although in retrospect, it stands up slightly better than it once did. Just from reviewing the cast list, one should be impressed. Tracey Ullman, Bryan Brown, and Sir Ralph Richardson are all featured, as is some guy named Ringo. You have to try pretty hard to make talent like that uninteresting. Also, one would think that simply being one of the most famous men on the planet is not enough by itself to carry the movie. Having written the screenplay as well as starring, McCartney could certainly be accused of possessing an out-of-control ego. However, there are more redeemable qualities in this film than most might think. To wit, the man's personal aura simply cannot be overcome by such trivial matters as plot and character. Flimsy as they are, what stands out most is, naturally, the music. In what is still unheard of today, all of it was performed live for the camera. Not only is this expensive and probably what ate into the budget for the previously mentioned plot and character, but it's also very, very hard to do. And yet, aside from some reasonably strong new material, the film presented classic Beatle songs either recorded with new arrangements or "performed" for the first time anywhere. The music sequences, which really amount to nothing more than a strung-together collection of fancy music videos, are done exceedingly well. It's when the film tries to turn into a more modern version of A Hard Day's Night or Help! that it breaks down. It's ultimately unsatisfying, unless you read a book when there's no music emanating from the screen. ~ Dan Friedman, All Movie Guide
Tracey Ullman - Sandra; Ralph Richardson - Jim; Ian Hastings - Harry; John Bennett - Mr. Rath; Anthony Brown - Police Inspector; Jeremy Child - Record Company Executive; Christopher Ellison - Rath's Minder; Jon Ian Jacobs; Mark Kingston - Terry; Robert Longden - Tape Operator; Amanda Redman - Office Receptionist; Gordon Rollings - Monster; Gary Shail - Apache Dancer; John Burgess - Chauffeur; John Harding - Ernest; Philip Jackson - Alan; Louis Johnson; Richard Kane - Record Company Executive; Ruby Buchanan - Bag Lady; Frank Duncan - William; Leonard Fenton - Company Accountant; John Salthouse - Tome the Roadie; Leslie Sarony - Gatekeeper; Nicholas Askew - Teacup Child; Anthony Bates - City Banker; David Easter - Apache Dancer; James Wynn - Assistant Director; Trevor Jones - Roadie; George Martin - Producer; Donald Douglas - Police Detective; John Murphy - Wino
Credit
Adrian Smith - Art Director, Peter Manley - Associate Producer, Daivd Toguri - Choreography, Milena Canonero - Costume Designer, Selwyn Roberts - First Assistant Director, Peter Webb - Director, Paul McCartney - Composer (Music Score), Bruce White - Musical Direction/Supervision, George Martin - Musical Direction/Supervision, Paul McCartney - Songwriter, Anthony Pratt - Production Designer, Ian Mc Millan - Cinematographer, Andros Epaminondas - Producer, Stephenie McMillan - Set Designer, Bruce White - Sound/Sound Designer, Paul McCartney - Screenwriter
