Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
        • 1960s Movies
        • 1970s Movies
        • 1980s Movies
        • 1990s Movies
      • Movies by Country
        • UK Movies
        • USA Movies
        • Australia & NZ Movies
        • Canada Movies
        • Europe Movies
        • Japan Movies
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Movies»Movies by Decade»1980s Movies»Movies 1985
    Movies 1985 Movies J 3 Mins Read

    John and Yoko: A Love Story (1985)

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    This three-hour made-for-TV movie is as disturbing as it is fascinating. On the one hand, it really tries very sincerely and compassionately to depict the 14-year relationship between John Lennon of The Beatles and conceptual artist Yoko Ono.

    On the other hand, the film omits so much of the plot and leaves so many things that are seen on the screen unexplained, that one has to be a Beatles aficionado to figure out what in the world is going on.

    Admittedly the movie only tries to concentrate on the one-to-one relationship between John and Yoko, but to treat Paul, George and Ringo as extras mars the project for the viewer. Since this was the first serious attempt to tell even a segment of the Beatles‘ incredible story, not having developed the other three members of the group beyond peripheral roles was a mistake.

    In every scene featuring The Beatles, one had to memorise the actors’ wigs to figure out who was supposed to be whom!

    Conversely, the actors who portrayed John and Yoko (Mark McGann and Kim Miyori) looked hauntingly identical to the stars they portrayed.

    The real Yoko Ono had a strong personal interest and involvement in the project and since several books had painted her unfavourably – and she had so often been wrongly accused of breaking up The Beatles – she wanted to ensure she didn’t come across poorly in this film.

    Yoko hated the first draft of the film which dwelled heavily on John’s drug use. The script was scrapped and Sandor Stern was brought in to write and direct a story that focussed on the two lovers and barely touched upon the drug use.

    Although the film was shot in England with a predominantly British cast, the role of Yoko went to American actress Kim Miyori (best known as Dr Wendy Armstrong on the US series St Elsewhere). An actor named Mark Lindsay was cast as Lennon because of his uncanny resemblance to the singer, but two days before principal photography was to begin, it was discovered that “Lindsay” was a stage name and his real name was Mark Chapman – the exact name of John Lennon’s murderer!

    The actor was paid in full without shooting a single frame of film and the lead role recast with Scully star Mark McGann stepping in.

    The film begins with John Lennon‘s 1966 comments likening the popularity of The Beatles with that of Jesus Christ and ends with a freeze-frame of John’s encounter on 8 December 1980 with his assassin.

    Watch out for an uncredited bit part appearance by future Austin Powers star, Mike Myers.

    John Lennon
    Mark McGann
    Yoko Ono
    Kim Miyori
    Paul McCartney
    Kenneth Price
    George Harrison
    Peter Capaldi
    Ringo Starr
    Phillip Walsh
    Brian Epstein
    Richard Morant
    Cynthia Lennon
    Rachel Laurence
    Julian Lennon (Age 5)
    Joe Randall Cutler
    Julian Lennon (Age 11)
    Samuel Wetmore
    Julian Lennon (Age 15)
    Paul Lockwood
    Kyoko Ono Cox (Age 5)
    Catherine Wrigley
    Kyoko Ono Cox (Age 8)
    Larissa Anastacio
    Tony Cox
    Vincent Marzello
    Elliot Mintz
    David Baxt
    George Martin
    John Sinclair
    Allen Klein
    Lou Hirsch
    Linda Eastman
    Catherine Strauss
    Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
    Bob Babenia
    Harry Nilsson
    David Gilliam
    Elton John
    Matthew Marsh
    Phil Spector
    Ray Charleson
    Mal Evans
    Martyn Whitby
    Aunt Mimi
    Val McLane
    Eisuke Ono
    Robert Lee
    Isoko Ono
    Harue Ito
    Leon Wilde
    Chuck Julian
    Jerry Rubin
    Danny Brainin
    May Pang
    Ling Tai
    John Dunbar
    Robert Daws
    Canon Verney
    Peter Howell
    Detective Sergeant Pilcher
    Bob Putt
    Sean Lennon
    Tim Kiley

    Director
    Sandor Stern

    Video

    Related Posts

    • Hitler's SS: Portrait in Evil (1985)
      Hitler's SS: Portrait in Evil (1985)
      This three-hour American-produced drama (with a mostly British cast) was first broadcast on US network television as a two-part miniseries…
    • Smooth Talk (1985)
      Smooth Talk (1985)
      Free-spirited 15-year-old Connie Wyatt (Laura Dern) is too young to drive, but not too young to drive the boys crazy. She…
    • Rebel (1985)
      Rebel (1985)
      A 20-year-old US Marine named "Rebel" (Matt Dillon) is on R&R leave in Sydney in 1942, recuperating from wounds suffered…
    • Ladyhawke (1985)
      Ladyhawke (1985)
      Seeing this movie in the 1980s as a young man was to fall in love with Michelle Pfeiffer. And just…
    • Re-Animator (1985)
      Re-Animator (1985)
      Director Stuart Gordon reached new heights of inspired gore with his debut - a witty and well-paced tale of an…
    • Juggernaut (1974)
      Juggernaut (1974)
      "Signal to all vessels. Am experiencing difficulties of an extraordinary nature. Would appreciate assistance if our position can be reached…
    • Julius Caesar (1970)
      Julius Caesar (1970)
      A not very well-known version - in comparison to the more famous Marlon Brando film of 1953 - of Shakespeare's…
    • Silverado (1985)
      Silverado (1985)
      There are some major credibility issues in this pretentious New Wave Western by Lawrence (The Big Chill) Kasdan . .…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleMister Mayor
    Next Article Copacabana (1985)

    Comments are closed.

    A Labour of Love

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small – to help me with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • Untamed Youth (1957)
      Mamie Van Doren and Lori Nelson star as hitchhiking chanteuse […]
    • King Creole (1958)
      Based on a Harold Robbins novel (A Stone For Danny Fisher), King […]
    • Till Death Us Do Part (1968)
      Alf Garnett (Warren Mitchell) was born a Londoner, and if he has […]
    • Amazing Colossal Man, The (1957)
      US Army Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Manning (Glenn Langan) is […]
    • Cuban Missile Crisis
      In 1959 a revolution took place in Cuba and Fidel Castro came to […]
    • Hitch Hike To Hell (1977)
      “She’s about to go on the ride of her life . . . it […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    60 years of Billy Liar: how the Bradford locations have changed today ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    60 years of Billy Liar: how the Bradford locations have changed today

    theb.fi

    Not everything is at it seems about the shooting locations for this classic story of a Yorkshire daydreamer.
    3 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    “I’ll tell you what Charlie, there’s always been a Holroyd at Holroyd’s mill and by god there always will be” Love this film.

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65006801 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Terry Hall: Coventry scooter ride-out pays tribute to singer

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Hundreds of people ride through Coventry on what would have been the singer's 64th birthday.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    metro.co.uk/2023/03/13/the-whos-roger-daltrey-thinks-theres-no-point-releasing-an-album-18434779/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Who's Roger Daltrey thinks there's 'no point' releasing another album

    metro.co.uk

    Bad luck.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64963359 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Sir Michael Caine's first Rolls Royce sells at Duxford for £120K

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Italian Job actor hired a chauffeur to drive the 1968 Silver Shadow, with its doors still intact.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64900348 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mystic Meg: Astrologer dies aged 80

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV star, whose real name was Margaret Lake, was a well-known TV figure in the 1990s.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Do you think she know it eas going to happen

    PlayTalk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay

    Talk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 8
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Gary Rossington had survived a 1977 air crash that killed several of his bandmates.
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    What a talented man. Lucky enough to see original band in concert. BRILLIANT.

    Rest in peace Dickie Davies. An absolute giant of British sports broadcasting.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dickie Davies, World of Sport presenter, dies at 94

    www.theguardian.com

    The broadcaster became something of a cult figure after fronting the ITV show for 20 years
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Yes, one of the great presenters. R.I.P.

    For fans of the radio series Round The Horne (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty close to the edge, even by modern standards. Bona! 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA

    For fans of the radio series "Round The Horne" (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty "close to the edge", even by modern standards. Bona!

    open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    For those interested, the complete “Jules and Sandy” is available on Audible…

    Bona to vada your jolly old eek. Lovely riah....

    RIP the beautiful Stella Stevens, who has died at the age of 84.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The co-star of Elvis Presley also worked in TV on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Bubblegum music Canada Civil rights Cold War Computer games Crime Disc Jockeys Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Folk rock Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen James Bond JFK Kraütrock Labels Madchester Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave New Zealand Nixon Northern Soul NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Reggae Rolling Stones Scotland Ska Ska revival Skiffle Soul music Space Race Sport Surf music Video games Vietnam war
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.