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Rae Dawn Chong, Guy Davis, John Chardiet, Leon W. Grant, Robert Taylor ... see more see more... , Dean Elliott , Franc. Reyes , The New York City Breakers , The Magnificent Force , Grand Master Melle Mel & the Furious Five , Afrika Bambaataa , Us Girls , Mary Alice , Gina Belafonte , Jim Borrelli , Lee Chamberlin , Hope Clarke , Rock Steady Crew , Douglas Davis , Shawn Elliott , Bernard Fowler , Tommy Gunn , Kadeem Hardison , Kool Herc , Duane Jones , Kool Moe Dee , Lisa Lee , Tonya Pinkins , Antonia Rey , Saundra Santiago , Kimry Smith , Soul Sonic Force , Billy Anagnos , B. Tina , Vic Magnotta , Paul Pesco , Tom Wright , Dadi Pinero , Leon Stephenson , Richard Thomsen , Wayne Frost , Jon Chardiet

Jon Chardiet plays a Puerto Rican youth who targets subway walls for his graffiti renderings. For a while, it looks as though Chardiet's problems will carry the plotline, but before long the film's tr... read more read more...ue raison d'etre comes to the surface. Rap-music deejay Guy Davis, in tandem with such like-minded individuals as music student Rae Dawn Chong, endeavor to stage a huge breakdancing presentation, featuring several musical artistes of the period. Harry Belafonte served as coproducer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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82% liked it

7,196 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Stan Lathan

Release Date: June 8, 1984

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DVD Release Date: April 15, 2003

Stats: 426 reviews

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Beat Street Beat Street Crew a/k/a New York City Breakers sesame street Beat Street Beat Street Crew a/k/a New York City Breakers
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Flixster Reviews (426)

  • matertenebraum
    May 21, 2010
    matertenebraum
    Without doubt Beat Street is the best film about the breakin scene. Everything about it is spot on,the clothes (puma),the music and most importantly the dancing! The storyline is basic,but hey whats there to tell a story about? The whole point of the film is to show what kids of ... read morethat moment in time were doing,what mattered to them. It shows that teenagers in general are good,all that mattered to these everyday kids was music,dancing and friendship. Having watched the DVD recently i was plesantly surprised how well it had stood the test of time! The clothes didn't look dated (possibly because Puma is now having a massive comeback),the music still sounds fresh,and the dancing is still captivating to watch. A film anyone 10-25 years of age should see as part of their youth culture.
  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    I said a hip hop, hip hip hop and body pop down to your video shop (and rent this movie!). I bet they don't have it in though
  • hobster1
    June 26, 2008
    hobster1
    Bronx teens who display their graffiti skills want to be seen as artists, not vandals. Too bad someone vandalized the script.
  • mpghoul1973
    May 7, 2009
    mpghoul1973
    I love this film! Hip hop the way it was and should of remained! Great soundtrack, ive been looking for it for yeeeaaarrrsss.
  • rainydays5008
    January 25, 2009
    rainydays5008
    I recently watched this again with my daughter's father in Brooklyn. He had no idea what a classic this movie was; he is from the islands. Once he saw the breakdancing he was glued! Wait til I show him Breakin'. I also saw Lee in the Bronx on Fordham road and he still looks the s... read moreame! Cap to the side and everything! He was eating a bag of chips; too funny! The only thing he didn't rock was the gazelles.
  • cxareigna
    October 24, 2008
    cxareigna
    This is the best of the breaking movies (IMO). It doesn't have over-the-top choreographed numbers. The acting was REAL (probably because most of the cast were/are actually performers -- crews and rappers). On the matter of music, it was fantastic. I know most people harold "Break... read moredance: The Movie (Breakin')" as the best urban dance flick, but "Beat Street" has a real feel, which is what MAKES the movie. There isn't much of a story, but that adds to the reality of it. Rather than a plot, it shows progression down chosen paths. The dancing is incredible, showcasing individuality. One scene did irk me, guess which one. Okay, I'll tell you. A battle in the subway. I would've preferred they left that one out or planned the choreography better. Eventhough I totally digged Ice-T in "Breakin' 2" for his studded-out style, overall the fashion in "Beat Street" kept my eyes glued to the screen -- true 80's ny street-scene. I fell inlove. Breakdancing used to be a part of my white-bred, middle-class youth. Everytime I see this movie, I'm inspired to take it up again. The music makes you want to move, and while watching battles, you catch yourself mimicking their performance. The best movies are the ones which inspire.
  • tootee299
    January 17, 2008
    tootee299
    I remember going to see this when it first came out, everybody was @ the movie theater, and seem like every girl cried when Ramo got killed on the tracks.
  • PiercedPink
    September 30, 2007
    PiercedPink
    ah yes one of the many joys of the 80's..right along with baggy pants...damn we didnt have it too good did we?
  • datkiddamien
    August 6, 2007
    datkiddamien
    This movie represents the true meaning of hip-hop. From graffiti, to DJing, to MCing, and b-boying, this movie is definitely THE hip-hop musical!
  • adoreac
    May 16, 2007
    adoreac
    I went to see this in 1984 while vacationing in Texas. I think that's the only reason why I liked it because I watched with a group of my cousins.

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Critic Reviews

Alex Sandell
June 11, 2003
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Interesting way of looking at a long-dead culture first coming to life.

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 30, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Philip Martin
December 26, 2004
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
February 8, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten
March 10, 2003
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Beat Street Trivia

  • What actress links Commando, Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, American Flyers, and Beat Street?  Answer »
  • An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture. (hint, it has performances by Doug E. Fresh, Kool Herc and Brenda K. Starr)  Answer »
  • Name the 1984 breakdancing movie starring Rae Dawn Chong as an upscale girl who falls in love with a DJ?  Answer »
  • In the 1984 break-dancing/hip-hop flick, Beat Street, what is Ramon's passion in life.  Answer »
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