MovieChat Forums > Backbeat (1994) Discussion > George

George

posted 21 years ago by applescruffy
13 replies | jump to latest

How old was that guy, O'Neil, when he played George Harrison in Backbeat? Because even though I like this movie and I'm very pleased with the actors in general, I can't get over the fact that he looks way too damn old to play the seventeen (!) year old George. The first time I heard him say "yeah, eighteen in february" in the movie, my face twisted. Eighteen ten years ago is more like it. I just don't like things like that. It makes me feel like they thought "ah, just get the first guy in here who can pull a face like that Harrison and who can say 'scones' in a Liverpudlian accent". Eventhough he's just a minor character in the movie, I think they should have done my Georgie more just! Damn it. Aaah, good to have that of my chest.

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. -John Lennon

[–] bhaktigirl 20 years ago

I think they went for facial resemblance more than correct age, but you're right. The main problem I had with him was his BRIGHT blue eyes! Why not give him contacts, like Ian Hart? To see George with SUCH blue eyes was a bit distracting.....and wrong! :( George's soulfull dark brown eyes were his most striking feature, imho....

[–] applescruffy 20 years ago

Oh! Sharply noticed! I had already forgotten about that... Makes it even worse, you're right. It's so frustrating to know that no matter who's making what about the Beatles, they never get it right! There's always some annoying thing they didn't bother with or left out or got wrong. Is it a lack of respect or interest? Cause we always seem to know more about the Beatles than they do! Can't they hire one of us as an advisor?! We'd do it proper! Right?

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. -John Lennon

[–] benlenn 20 years ago

Well the bloke who plays george in the film, actually plays paul in a beatles tribute band called the backbeat beatles.....confusing or what.....hes much better at being paul, very good at the annoying mannersims of the man....(dont worry i still think hes gear) the band werent that bad actually, they were tres funny and played really well.....good larf really.

[–] bhaktigirl 20 years ago

That's really odd- but Paul has very dark eyes too- I can't imagine a blue-eyed Paul! The Backbeat Paul was really a good match, I thought.....

[–] applescruffy 20 years ago

Hmhm. He was great. I thought Ian Hart as John Lennon was nice as well. He didn't look that much like him to be honest, but he played him very well. I think Ian had a kind of charm in this movie that's a lot like John's. And he does a great version of the Lennon grin!

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. -John Lennon

[–] dysfunky 20 years ago

what i thought was Ian Hart resembled more Julian than John.The cool thing bout it though is he actually lived around liverpool.So he has that liverpudlian charm and character.

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.
- John Lennon

[–] applescruffy 19 years ago

Hmhm, he does look like Julian. That made me laugh by the way when I read some reviews of Backbeat. All the reviewers praised Ian because "he is the spit image of Julian Lennon, so he's brilliantly cast!" If anyone ever makes a movie about Aerosmith, lets get a Liv Tyler look alike to play her father! :) No, I jest, but I do understand their point. And you're right again. Ian's very charming.

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. -John Lennon

[–] bertschkid 19 years ago

Bravo! Ian Hart DOES look alot like Julian. He's also the movie's most accomplished actor and would have to be to convince me that John was in love with Astrid. Bullsh!t. I thought Gary Bakewell as Paul beared the closest resemblance to The Beatle they portrayed. He also played Paul in the critically derided television movie The Linda McCartney Story in 2000. Stephen Dorff looked the part of Stu well enough; but he was a bit too big. He's worked alot in television. Scot Williams also played Pete in the 2000 television movie In His Life: The John Lennon Story, but I wasn't convinced. The fact that Chris O'Neill has never portayed George in any other production and has a fairly unimpressive resume speaks for itself.

[–] applescruffy 19 years ago

You know, I just watched the special features on the Backbeat DVD and I have changed my mind somewhat. See, I was a bit ticked of because I thought the filmmakers had payed such little attention to who was playing George. Now I know they actually wanted to do him right by casting O'Neill. He may be a lot older and not an accomplished actor, but just like Ian and Scot, he was a genuine Liverpudlian ánd, like Ian and Scot, played the instrument his Beatle played. That I respect. With Bakewell they chose for the biggest likeness, which I respect as well, because it works well in the movie. But with the other guys they went for some likeness and simular background/talents/energy. That's a proper choice. I understand the choice. It's still too bad they couldn't find a more handsome George though...

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. -John Lennon

[–] kathyselden 18 years ago

I actually thought that the film's George was a real cutie! Pity there isn't much about him on the net. Anybody have any info on him? He's so cute...

Fiddle-dee-dee!

[–] LadyDi4476 19 years ago

I agree! The actor who played George looked nothing like him at all. That blue eyes was a major flaw and distraction. How difficult would it have been to put contacts on that guy?

The actor who played Paul was definitely the one who beared the closest resemblance to any actual Beatle.

Ian Hart got John's anger and mannerisms down but he looks way more like Julian than John. They should have gotten Julian to play the part in the first place.

In that case, George Harrison's son should play George if they ever do another Bealtes movie. He is the spitting image of his father.

We need a REAL Beatles movie. Not the story of Stu and Astrid. I mean who cares about those two anyway? That's like making a movie about Yoko! bleh!

Jack Nasty Loves You!

[–] applescruffy 19 years ago

Well, I happen to care a lot about Stu and Astrid. Ánd Yoko for that matter, they can make a movie about her as well as far as I'm concerned. I like watching anything about anyone who looms large in Beatle history. And having said that; I think Stuart was an incredibly interesting person in his own right.

And I seriously doubt it Julian and Dhani would be interested in playing their fathers...

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace. -John Lennon

[–] jefgg 12 years ago

Actors playing much younger characters is very common. Have you ever seen the movie "Grease"? Stockard Channing played a high school student who looked old enough to be a grandmother.