Backbeat [Special Edition]

"Iain Softley's Backbeat tells the story of the early years of the Beatles, focusing on John Lennon's friendship with the doomed Stuart Sutcliffe. This collector's edition DVD presents the film in a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. An English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. Supplemental materials include an entertaining commentary track from director Iain Softley and actors Ian Hart and Stephen Dorff. Softley and Hart talk of the extensive work that went into the planning of the film. An audio interview with Astrid Kirchner provides a nice augmentation to the film, as does additional interviews with Softley and Hart. A still photo gallery, and footage of the casting sessions round out this excellent release from Focus."