MovieChat Forums > Birth of the Beatles (1979) Discussion > Eleanor Rigby reference?

Eleanor Rigby reference?

posted 20 years ago by muzilon
4 replies | jump to latest

I saw this film a long time ago, if I recall correctly there was a short scene where the Beatles were in a cemetery leaning against a large headstone clearly inscribed RIGBY. I'm guessing this was a clever reference to "Eleanor Rigby" who "died and was buried along with her name" (Revolver album).

[–] GroovyDave1973 18 years ago

On a Beatles trip to Liverpool about 10 years ago I tried to find the grave you mentioned. It was in the grounds of Liverpool Cathedral but it turns out it was a fake, just put there for the film.

"Just A Little Bit Further" www.summerisle.tk

[–] muzilon 18 years ago

Doesn't surprise me, it was too much of a coincidence. :)

[–] sallygub 18 years ago

If it was fake, it would be in the film on purpose, and if it was real, the actors would go there on purpose. Either way, if there was a real Rigby tombstone, it would be in the movie without a doubt.

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[–] GroovyDave1973 18 years ago

If it was fake, it would be in the film on purpose, and if it was real, the actors would go there on purpose. Either way, if there was a real Rigby tombstone, it would be in the movie without a doubt.

mmmmmm not quite.

There is IS an Eleanor Rigby tombstone who was buried in 1939 at St Peter's Church in Woolton, which was the backdrop for John and Paul's first meeting in 1957. Paul always said he chose the name because it "sounded natural" he may have seen this gravestone and it lurked in the back of his mind, and thats why he came up with it.

So the one in the cathedral grounds was fake and in the film on purpose, but the real one in the Woolton church yard was not in the film.

never mind Sally.... you were half right.

Love the film, much better than Backbeat.

"Just A Little Bit Further" www.summerisle.tk