5.6/10
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Absolute Beginners (1986)

| Drama, Fantasy, Musical | 4 April 1986 (UK)
Absolute Beginners Poster
In 1958 London a young photographer seeks media stardom to keep the love of a beautiful, aspiring fashion designer.

Director:

Writers:

(based on the novel by), (developed for the screen by) | 4 more credits »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

13 photos | 54 news articles »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Eddie O'Connell ...
Colin
...
...
Henley of Mayfair
...
Arthur
Mandy Rice-Davies ...
Mum
Eve Ferret ...
Big Jill
Tony Hippolyte ...
Mr. Cool
Graham Fletcher-Cook ...
Wizard
Joseph McKenna ...
Fabulous Hoplite (as Joe McKenna)
...
The Fanatic
...
Athene Duncannon (as Sade Adu)
...
Ed the Ted (as Tenpole Tudor)
...
Flikker
Alan Freeman ...
Call-Me-Cobber
See full cast »
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Storyline

A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes' novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer Colin is hopelessly in love with model Crepe Suzette, but her relationships are strictly connected with her progress in the fashion world. So Colin gets involved with a pop promoter and tries to crack the big time. Meanwhile, racial tension is brewing in Colin's Notting Hill housing estate... Written by Michael Brooke <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

fashion | photographer | fashion designer | stardom | sex | See All (147) »

Taglines:

The Sounds. The Moves. The Style. The Magic. The Musical. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Musical | Romance

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

4 April 1986 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Absolutamente Principiantes  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

$930,211 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (35 mm prints)

Color:

| (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The last feature film of actress Irene Handl, who died in 1987. See more »

Goofs

Stock sound effect of glass breaking is heard every time a window is broken and thunder stock sound effect is heard each time lightning strikes. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Colin: [narrating] I remember that hot, wonderful summer. When the teenage miracle reached full bloom and everyone in England stopped what they were doing to stare at what had happened. The Soho nights were cool in the heat, with light and music in the streets. And we couldn't believe that this was really coming to us at last. Nobody knew exactly why. But after so many dreary years of bombs and blitz and slow rebuilding; no sugar, no jam, nothing sweet anywhere; with the whole English ...
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Connections

References The Wind Cannot Read (1958) See more »

Soundtracks

Ted Ain't Ded
Performed by Tenpole Tudor
Composed by Edward Tudor-Pole (as Edward Tudorpole) and Julien Temple
See more »

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User Reviews

Exhilarating Adrenalin Rush
2 May 2001 | by (London, England) – See all my reviews

What a Corker of a movie which moves at a lightning pace of youth in the 1950's based on the youth culture book by Colin McInnes. We see the birth of the teenager in Britain wiping away the grey cobwebs of post war Britain and revitalising it with a kaleidoscope of colour. Eddie O'Donnell is the spunky immaculately dressed hedonist who wants to dance and carouse the night away in Swinging London and Patsy Kensit's film debut is superb as Colin'ns(O'Donnel's) sex kitten who's a real temptress. The music score is excellent which interwines with the plot very well and some of London's well known honey pots are featured, like The Wag Club which is sadly no more. Ray Davies actually appears in the film, as does David Bowie and Sade.Not forgetting the great songs by The Style Council and Smiley Culture with an underlying jazz groove by Gil Evans. The Introduction to this movie is one of the best ever and features a cast of thousands. Congratulations Julian Temple on this aesthetic musical delight.
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