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David Essex, Ringo Starr, Rosemary Leach, James Booth, Billy Fury ... see more see more... , Keith Moon , Rosalind Ayres , Kim Braden , Brenda Bruce , Verna Harvey , Robert Lindsay , Patti Love , Daphne Oxenford , Johnny Shannon , Deborah Watling , Sara Clee , Alan Foss , Beth Morris , James Ottaway , Karl Howman , Erin Geraghty

Long before Grease was even thought of, the British came out with That'll Be The Day, the story of a young man (David Essex) growing up in the dreary working-class world of Britain who comes of age an... read more read more...d finds his proper outlet in the first outgrowths of the rock-and-roll world in Britain. This film and its accompanying album were extremely successful in Britain. Along with an excellent (and nostalgic) soundtrack, it features acting performances by rockers David Essex, Billy Fury, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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59% liked it

1,294 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Claude Whatham

Release Date: October 29, 1973

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DVD Release Date: November 28, 2000

Stats: 62 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (62)

  • webalina
    July 7, 2007
    webalina
    Very similar to Quadrophenia (which I coincidentally saw right before this), but with a not quite so angry a tone. David Essex (of "Rock On" fame) plays Jimmy, a rather lost young man who has a dream of being a rock star in late 1950's Britain. He drops out of school to realize h... read moreis dream, but finds out it's not nearly as simple as he anticipated. Ringo Starr -- yes, THAT Ringo -- has a nice role as Mike, Jimmy's carnival worker friend. He has a funny scene regarding a tattoo in a rather private place. Essex does a pretty good job in this film, although you don't find yourself really rooting for his success because he does a few things that make you want to punch him. The soundtrack is outstanding -- every great 50's hit you ever heard on those Time-Life CD commercials is here. Plus you get a taste of Keith Moon's drumwork. He plays the drummer -- yeah, I know, quite a stretch -- in a band called Stormy Tempest, who's lead singer is early Brit rocker Billy Fury. All in all, worth a nostalgic look. I'm told there's a sequel, called Stardust.
  • jam233
    December 1, 2009
    jam233
    Solid British film, based on the early life of John Lennon, has a terrific cast with excellent performances from everyone, especially David Essex and Ringo Starr. Great score of 1950's hits, fast moving, well directed.

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Critic Reviews

March 26, 2009
Variety

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Nora Sayre
May 9, 2005
Nora Sayre, New York Times

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January 10, 2004
Chicago Reader

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Emanuel Levy
August 16, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

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May 24, 2003
Film4

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That'll Be the Day Trivia

  • What was the name of the movie where John Wayne said, "That'll be the day?"  Answer »
  • what was john wayne's catchphrase?  Answer »
  • In "The Searchers," when Marty asks if the party was for them, Ethan answered?  Answer »
  • Which Beatle starred opposite David Essex in "That'll Be The Day"?  Answer »
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