User Reviews

Mersey Boys: A Letter from Al Moran, based on a novel by Steven G. Farrell, combines a bit of mystery and history to deliver an interesting and entertaining concept. The story line instantly drew me in with the discovery of a letter to 'Mike' and I was fully invested after the seamless transition from a modern day study to a yesteryear bar. The flashback scene was authentic with a nostalgic feel that made me believe I had been transported back in time. The ensemble cast was capable and believable in their roles. This short film left me feeling that Al Moran was the most interesting man in the world and I definitely want to see more of his story - please!

This short-film is understated, with no frills that lays bare the raw talent of acting by the entire cast, packed with colourful dialogue, substance and spark between the characters. There is an electrically-charged atmosphere in the pub, even before the guitars are switched on! Raining in both the present and past helps make what is a very cohesive and subtle switch from now to then.

The early years of The Beatles present a rare and intriguing insight into their way of life and any glimpse we can glean from that time, even when engineered through fiction, is priceless. Inside an intense 10-minutes this compact short-film successfully captures that - the screenplay is compelling and showcases the changing attitudes that were taking place at that time.

Cultures collide amicably between a young John Lennon and an American Professor, Al Moran, and the playful banter from John that ensues melts away barriers between the two. Some people can stay longer in an hour than others can in a week and this short-film epitomises that. I love the camera work - very 'fly-on-the-wall' and I really felt like I was there - just another guy leaning against the bar!

We're coming up to the 60th Anniversary of The Beatles' 1st gig in the South of England later this year, that took place in my hometown of Aldershot on the 9th December. You could say that this was the low-point of their career when only 18 people turned up and, although just a blip, the only way was up from here! I heard Ringo Starr once said "We didn't get any bigger than Liverpool - we just got more Cities".

Everything about this Production is World Class, right down to the costumes.

Well Done & Congratulations!

Sean Graham

This short film presents a prologue of sorts to what one hopes eventually becomes a full-length film presentation of The Mersey Boys, based on the wonderful novel of the same title by Steven Farrell, an almost "parallel universe" Beatles story, based largely in history and biography, through the eyes and pen of Dr. Albert Moran. Quite well done and generally well-acted, although this reviewer found the performances of the John and, to a lesser extent, young Moran characters in the bar scene a little tight. Jessica Messenger as Ginny the barmaid is a natural. All in all, recommended for Beatles fans, with the hope that it becomes a full-length film.

We know a lot about The Beatles. But what lurks in the minds and hearts of many are the private and public encounters, both real and imagined that shaped people's memories of The Fab Four. In Steve Farrell's fictious (or not), rendering of memory and encounter (Mersey Boys: A Letter from Al Moran)--we get an intimate knowing across intergenerational time and space. He offers a memoire of what was, and maybe what never was. But through the excavation of a life gone-by, we come to know of a particular life-lived, which also offers a fresh-take on the boys from Mersey who changed the world through music. Kudos for Farrell who takes us, and himself into the scene of knowing and rediscovering the past, and what he (and we), never knew. Bryant Keith Alexander, PhD, Communication, Cultural and Performance Studies scholar.

What a great idea to see the Beatles before they were the world famous BEATLES! I think my only criticism is about the men's hair. This is either later 1950s or very early 1960s. The bartender has a pony tail and Paul and Al both have longer hair that looks more like today.

What an incredible idea!

Everyone knows about the Beatles, except the very early days when they first met and were just learning how to play music. This short teaser starts to reveal that very time and place. It is based on the magnificent book by Steven G. Farrell. I would love to see all of the book made into a 2-3 hour film. And I'm sure millions of other Beatles' fans would as well.

I'm no expert on the early years of the Beatles, but I really enjoyed this short look into their early days from the perspective of an outsider, an American teacher working in Liverpool. I've read the book by Steven Farrell that this short was based upon and there's lots of potential here; I hope they expand on it, as this little window into the up and coming Beatles was wonderfully evocative. Check it out whether you're a Beatles fan or not!

I feel quite honoured to write my first IMDB review for this compelling piece of work - a short film that tells so much.

We open in Chicago where a father & daughter arriving home from their Uncle Al's funeral. While going through his letters, we flashback to Liverpool in the early sixties where Al began a job as a professor at Liverpool Art College. During a spell in a pub (the Cavern Club) he is taken by a lovely barmaid named Ginny & meets three young men who happen to be John, Paul and George.

I don't want to give too much away. It may be a short story, but its littered with so much of interest. It was the verge of the Beatles and through Ginny, Professor Al sees how women will be going through the cultural changes that depicted the 60s. Revolution is in the air.

One reviewer states this short is a teaser, & I can agree with that. The film itself captures the mood of the time, reflected in Paddy Murphy's tight script & economic direction.

Performances also capture the resonance of the era. Everyone is in good form, but will single out Fiach Kunz as Al, a slightly out of his depth American lecturer beginning to find his feet in a new country, intimidated, but attracted to this new way of life represented by Ginny & John. Jessica Messenger is equally brilliant as Ginny, an ordinary working girl with visions of future. One can event a predict a relationship going between them.

All in all a lovely provocative film with so much to offer

The pub atmosphere and dialogue and the personalities of the characters come through very well, and draw the viewer in. We enjoyed this very much and I would love to see it as a feature length film.

I enjoyed this short which has an interesting take on the early Beatles. The Lennon character rings true, as does Al's confusion. I hope a feature filming is in the offing.

It's always interesting to take stock of the American perception of those heady days when the Merseybeat sound was king of the airwaves and what was thought to be the truth behind the beginnings of the 'Fab Four' and their musical amigos who ruled the music charts in that era. This film is a great companion to the book by Steven G Farrell, both are highly recommended.

I never knew much about the Beatles, but this short movie very well introduced me to them, and I felt like I knew them. The quality was wonderful, and the story structure was excellent. I would love to see this continued and furthered.

This is such a great movie and watched the whole thing in ten minutes.

I recently have had the pleasure of viewing this short film at its screening at Greenville Technical College with the author of the novel on which it is based. The cinematography of the film is quite impressive, and the actors all play their parts to the hilt. The players were well chosen for their roles. The apparel and set pieces all accurately reflect the time period in which the film takes place and definitely lend it credibility. I bethought myself of Don Quixote with the manner in which the film is presented inasmuch as the bulk of it is recounted through a manuscript discovered by the nephew of its author; this was a good decision since it adds another dimension of critical interpretation to the narrative. This film is a novel and fresh historical-fiction story that without doubt would make a fine full-length film, and I hope to see that come to pass.

I'm so eager for this short. I loved the book, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard they were thinking of making a movie. I hope everyone loves it at the beach festival, and hopefully we'll get news about the movie soon after!

Anything Gerald Farrell puts his hands on is normally gold this being no exception. Exceptional dialogue and cast of characters the public truly needs this as a full-length film. Sit-back, relax and enjoy the ambiance of Beatles fever and understand how lucky we were to have the Mersey Beat.

Not only is the backdrop of the Beatles incredibly interesting, but the introduction of Al Moran and Ginny Brown into the tapestry of Beatles lore makes it even more so. Jessica Messenger's performance stands out as a person to watch as a budding talent.

Having already read and enjoyed the Mersey Boys book, I really enjoyed the short film. One thing I loved about it was that it used subtlety when introducing the Beatles. The film did not blatantly present them as "The Beatles," but introduced them as if they were regular British teenagers. I also loved the way the story was told. Ger reading the letter allowed for a smooth introduction to Al Moran. Lastly, I enjoyed how the actors spoke to each other in a regular tone and not overacting. This allowed for greater empathy from the audience. All this being said, I cannot wait for a full film adaptation when it is finally done!

I had the opportunity to few this short and I absolutely fell in love. It's a pity that it is only ten minutes long as could be an amazing full length film- I'm dying to know what more happens with Al Moran.

Draws you in from the very beginning. You don't see any story lines in other movies like this one, which is what really separates this short film from others. I highly recommend this movie for any music lover or fan of The Beatles! I hope to see a longer version of this movie in theaters one day, it definitely deserves it!

I really enjoyed this short film and for it to be kinda foreshadowing a much larger story is what makes it very interesting and intriguing to me. Great job to the cast and writers.

I thoroughly loved the premise of this film and the actor portrayals were spot on! I agree with the other review as I would love to see a full-length treatment of this meeting. Great work Gerald & crew👍

I liked this little short because it wets your appetite for the full-length pic. Hopefully they'll find a way to produce a full version. I've read the book so I know what happens, but the movie is different. There's a whole new take on the characters within the unique setting in Ireland. You can't get the authentic flavor of the story like actually seeing the real places in the book. The movie has its own unique take on the book.

But what happens to Al Moran after he meets John Lennon. Did he ever hook up with his flirt in the bar. Did he ever hook the Beatles up with a producer. I want to know the rest of the story.

Great little short. Hopefully it will lead to a full-length-motion picture. Highly recommend to any inquisitors of this unknown hero Al Moron who under circumstances unbeknownst to him ran into the most famous band of all time--The Beatles.

The acting and dialogue was very strong and it pulls the viewer in. The setting and environment were perfectly portrayed. I would very much like to read the novel by Steve Farrell