Beat Street (1984)

82% of users liked it
(7,112 ratings)

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 true raison d'etre comes to the surface. Rap-music deejay Guy Davis, in tandem with such like-minded… More 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 true 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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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Stan Lathan
Written By: Steven Hager, Andrew Davis
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

In Theaters: Jun 8, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Apr 15, 2003

Critic Reviews

Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Interesting way of looking at a long-dead culture first coming to life.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
Beat Street is one of the more innocent, sweet hip-hop films from the early days.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

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 that… More
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 that 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.
Anthony L

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
Mark H

Bronx teens who display their graffiti skills want to be seen as artists, not vandals. Too bad someone vandalized the script.

Cast

            Rae Dawn Chong as Tracy

            Guy Davis as Kenny

            John Chardiet as Ramon

            Leon W. Grant as Chollie

            Robert Taylor as Lee

            Dean Elliott as Henri

            Franc. Reyes as Luis

            The New York City Breakers
            
            The Magnificent Force
            
            Grand Master Melle Mel & the Furious Five as Themselves

            Afrika Bambaataa as Soul Sonic Force/Shango

            Us Girls
            
            Mary Alice as Cora

            Gina Belafonte as Elizabeth

            Jim Borrelli as Monte

            Lee Chamberlin as Alicia

            Hope Clarke as Dancing Instructor

            Rock Steady Crew
            
            Douglas Davis as Douggie Fresh

            Shawn Elliott as Domingo

            Bernard Fowler
            
            Tommy Gunn
            
            Kadeem Hardison
            
            Kool Herc as Himself

            Duane Jones as Robert

            Kool Moe Dee as The Treacherous Trio

            Lisa Lee as Us Girl

            Tonya Pinkins as Angela

            Antonia Rey as Flora

            Saundra Santiago as Carmen

            Kimry Smith as Erika

            Soul Sonic Force
            
            Billy Anagnos as Stunts

            B. Tina
            
            Vic Magnotta as Stunts

            Paul Pesco as The System

            Tom Wright as Stunts

            Dadi Pinero as Young Writer

            Leon Stephenson as Monte's Bouncer

            Richard Thomsen as Paul

            Wayne Frost
            
            Jon Chardiet
            
See full cast

Beat Street (1984)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

Anthony L

Mark H

Cast

Trailers & Clips

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