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Beat Street [1984] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

A slightly dated but nonetheless fascinating snap shot of musical history, Beat Street is an urban musical detailing the roots of hip-hop. Set in early 1980s New York, the film focuses on the lives of a small group of young people setting their experiences against the larger backdrop of the city's burgeoning music scene. The story of up and coming DJ Kenny and his relationship with jazz musician Tracy may only be a device, but it's surprisingly effective, as is the ultimately tragic tale of graffiti artist Remo. The movie's real raison d'être, however, is to showcase the sounds of the street and thus is full of some of hip-hop's most influential names--Melle Mel, Doug E Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, The Rocksteady Crew, Jazzy Jeff and Arthur Baker--and while the combination of electro and rapping may sound a little crude to modern ears, there can be no doubt that Beat Street is the sight and sound of history being made.

On the DVD: Beat Street on disc comes with pretty basic picture quality, but the soundtrack has benefited greatly from the digital remastering. The extras are limited to a collection of stills from the film and an amusing guide to break beats, which seems like a wasted opportunity. Given the nature of the movie, it's something of a shame that this disc doesn't go deeper into the subject matter. For a far more detailed examination of how the music of Kraftwerk blended with the sounds of American city streets, go to Volume 3 of the excellent BBC series Dancing in the Street. --Phil Udell


My 2nd biggest musical influence
Review date: 2007-07-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

I heard a mix called The Lesson (the pay off mix) by Double Dee and Steinski back in 1983 , a few months later I saw this film. I knew from that moment on my future was determined. I went on to create mixes for various record companies.
Despite the appalling acting, this is an amazing film which I'm sure influenced many people like myself.A complete representation of the early evolution of Hip Hop, including Mixing,scratching,sampling, graffiti, and break dancing.

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Reviews


Sound of the future
Review date: 2005-12-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

The thing I most remember about Beat Street is the trailer. I was 10 years old at the time and had never heard anything like the sound of "scratching". I just couldn't wait to find out how it was made!
Then I saw the movie two times at the cinema and fell in love with "Break"...
Films that came afterwards, like Breakdance and Electric Boogaloo, are lighter, more California style (yet I still saw them loads of times and have the albums). Beat Street as I remember was a FILM, not an extended video clip.

3 stars for the song and dance routines alone
Review date: 2004-06-07 Rating: 6 out of 10

Jumping on the breakdance gravy train, Beat Street is part-cheesy Hollywood romance,part-musical. Unlike Wildstyle (released the previous year) this filmmakers employ "real" actors- they probably shouldn't have bothered as the performances are so wooden.This is only worth buying because of the breakers and rappers. Rocksteady Crew battling the New York City Breakers at the Roxy is the standout scene but there are other memorable moments. The US girls (Sha-Rock, Lisa Lee and Debbie Dee) display more talent in two minutes than the lead actors did in their deservedly short-lived careers whilst Treacherous Three's "Christmas Rap" has all the virtuosity and humour that the actors lack. By the end of the movie the greatest of the old-school MC's, Melle Mel takes over from the lip-synching leading man to show him how it should be done. If only that could have happened from the beginning.

Old School Hip-Hop treat
Review date: 2002-11-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

for those of you who remember the early 80's break dance craze, if you were into it in a big way then you should remeber this feature film. Has a story line has loads of great music and the challenge at the Roxy has all the best breakdance moves that you'll never forget. It's even got a bit of love, a bit of classical dance and some awesome tagging and burners (spraying on walls and trains)!! Get it while you can, i spent 3 years trying to get this!!

AT LAST!
Review date: 2002-06-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

At long last, I am finally holding the film I have been after for years in my hand and it's a DVD. I spent hours and hours trying to copy Crazy Legs backspin taking off his shoes, and now 18 years later, very unfit, I can try again (not). The challenge in the Roxy is a classic and to see it again brought the memories flooding back. If you are a hip hop head you must, must, must see this film. As Pras said in his song 'Blue Angels' "Beat Street the movie is my all time favourite", I have to agree.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jon Chardiet
Saundra Santiago
Leon W. Grant
Guy Davis
Rae Dawn Chong

Creators:
Rae Dawn Chong (Primary Contributor)
Guy Davis (Primary Contributor)
David V. Picker (Producer)
Harry Belafonte (Producer)
Andrew Davis (Writer)
Andy Davis (Writer)
David Gilbert (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM
Manufacturer: MGM
EAN: 9780792855194
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 0792855191
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC,
Release date: 2003-04-15
Universal product code (UPC): 027616884572
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1984-06-08
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Spanish (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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