That'll Be The Day
by Claude Whatham
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Billy Fury, David Essex, James Booth, Ringo Starr, Rosemary LeachDirector: Claude Whatham
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-11-28
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Reviews of That'll Be The Day
DVD Review: A Rock and Roll Historical Fable
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been hoping to get ahold of a DVD of this, but settled for the VHS so I would at least have some form of it. This is mostly available from British online stores and thus only in PAL form and/or "Region 2" DVDs - incompatible with US DVD players.
Getting the chance to see the REAL Keith Moon and Ringo Starr doing great jobs as actors in a Rock n Roll historical fable is a real treat. I only paid a few bucks for this and it's a cornerstone of my Rock Library.
Now if I could just get this as a DVD with the sequel "Stardust" which continues the tale into the 70's - That would be hip...
DVD Review: This isn't supposed to be about a good guy
Summary: 5 Stars
Seems everyone who denigrates this movie at all, does so bc Essex's character is such a scumbag. That's what makes it real. I felt I was almost watching a documentary.DVD Review: One for the time capsule
Summary: 3 Stars
David Essex stars in this movie about a young knockabout in 60s Britain who is attracted to rock and roll, mainly as a way of avoiding the responsibilities of work and adulthood in general. The movie has a great authentic atmosphere, but the viewpoint about the main character is not clear. It's removed, almost documentary tone reminded me of "Georgie Girl."
Ringo Starr has a featured role as a carnival worker who befriends him and shows him the ropes. He is outstanding, and made me wish he had more movie roles like this one.
DVD Review: Good Period Rock 'N' Roll Drama
Summary: 4 Stars
This film evokes the fifties rock 'n' roll period quite well, thank you. The film tells the story of a disaffected youth (David Essex) who runs away from the monotony of his "normal life" and it's inherent responsibilities. He finds himself working odd jobs at a seaside carnival where he befriends another kindred soul(Ringo Starr). Later, he gets his girlfriend pregnant and finds the responsibility of husband and father so overbearing when he hears the clarion call of rock 'n' roll. David Essex is quite excellent in the lead role, and the film is at pains not to portray his decisions as noble ones. What I don't get is that Essex's character is supposed to be a John Lennon type but I just don't see it. Ringo gives probably his best screen appearance, ever! It's the first time I've seen a film he's appeared in where you think he's in character and not an extension of his Beatles persona. It's also good to see Keith Moon in a nice little cameo. I'm still waiting for the film's sequel, "Stardust" to come out on DVD.DVD Review: Not exactly rock and roll
Summary: 3 Stars
Other than a brief, but tantalizing few scenes with Billy Fury, there isn't much charisma in the stars. I bought this dvd for the Billy Fury scenes. Billy is incredible. His image and performances are vital. Wish they'd had just footage of his performances as a bonus on the dvd. David Essex plays his role well, but the character is very unlikable. Ringo is excellent.
Description of That'll Be The Day
Named after a Buddy Holly song and set to a score of early American rock hits, Claude Whatham's story of a restless working-class lad in Britain the late 1950s (reportedly inspired by the early life of John Lennon) is a portrait dissatisfaction and disaffection. Real-life rocker David Essex (of the hit single "Rock On") stars as a Jim MacLaine, a schoolboy who chucks it all in a spontaneous rebellion. Not so much an angry young man as simply frustrated and directionless, he drifts through seasonal jobs, scamming girls with his veteran carnival buddy (a cocky Ringo Starr with rocker sideburns) and killing time in dance clubs. The overwhelming emptiness finally sends him wandering back to his dreary hometown for a more respectable life, but it's no better fit. While music is never the focus of the film, the nascent rock & roll scene simmers around the edges through American records and British cover bands (Billy Fury and Keith Moon appear in cameos). The drab small towns and chilly seaside holiday camps evoke a stifling sense of conformity and social stagnation--think of it as a uniquely British take on Rebel Without a Cause--that becomes the crucible for the rebellious British rock & roll explosion around the corner. It's considered to be one of the great rock films, and it spawned a sequel, Stardust. --Sean AxmakerGeneral DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Eighth SeasonRelease date: 2008-10-14; DVD
Best price: $43.99
Price in other shops:
Mad Men - Season OneMAD MEN - SEASON 1 (DVD MOVIE); Release date: 2008-07-01; DVD
Best price: $27.00
Price in other shops:
The Unit - The Complete Third SeasonRelease date: 2008-10-14; DVD
Best price: $25.50
Price in other shops:
Smallville - The Complete Seventh SeasonRelease date: 2008-09-09; DVD
Best price: $34.97
Price in other shops:
House, M.D. - Season FourHOUSE: SEASON FOUR (DVD MOVIE); Release date: 2008-08-19; DVD
Best price: $28.99
Price in other shops:
Dexter - The Complete Second SeasonPARAMOUNT PICTURES; Release date: 2008-08-19; DVD
Best price: $18.25
Price in other shops:
Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fourth SeasonBuena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2008-09-09; DVD
Best price: $31.00
Price in other shops:
John Adams (HBO Miniseries)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-06-10; DVD
Best price: $30.96
Price in other shops:
The Dark Knight (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition)Release date: 2008-12-09; DVD
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
The Dark Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)Release date: 2008-12-09; DVD
Best price: $22.99
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
StardustRelease date: 2004-06-29; DVD
Best price: $2.95
Price in other shops:
Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennonby May Pang
St. Martin's Press; Published: 2008-03-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $16.32
Price in other shops:
A Charmed Life: The Autobiography of David Essexby David Essex
Orion Publishing; Published: 2003-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.91
Price in other shops:
SextetteRelease date: 2000-11-07; DVD
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops:
Blue Suede ShoesRelease date: 2006-08-29; DVD
Best price: $9.98
Price in other shops:
Ringo Starr - Photograph: Very Best of Ringo Starr (CD/ DVD)Release date: 2007-08-28; Music CD
Best price: $13.27
Price in other shops:
The Magic ChristianRelease date: 2003-01-21; DVD
Best price: $8.70
Price in other shops: