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McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass

Play trailer Poster for McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass 2026 1h 27m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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For over 50 years the disappearance of McCartney’s original Höfner bass has been one of rock ‘n’ roll’s enduring mysteries. McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass tells the extraordinary story of this iconic instrument, and the fan powered quest to find it. The journey of McCartney's beloved Höfner bass – one of the most famous instruments of the 20th century – is a portal to the past. Bought in Hamburg for £30, it was by Paul's side through the birth of The Beatles and bore witness to their extraordinary rise to fame. When it vanished in the 70s it was thought lost forever. This rock ‘n’ roll detective story features exclusive interviews with McCartney, his brother Mike, Klaus Voormann, Elvis Costello and the roadies, journalists and fans who embarked on a mission to track down and restore the bass to its proper place in music history and to Paul. It's a story about fandom, creativity, love, loss, memory and the transformative power of music.

Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 3d
2/5
It’s difficult not to regard the entire project with a vaguely benign shoulder shrug. Go to Full Review Ed Power Daily Telegraph (UK) 3d
4/5
It’s an agreeably ambling tale, well told and with the quality of an anecdote spun over a pint. In other words, the Paul McCartney of music documentaries – pleasant, unpretentious and enough to put anyone in a good mood. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass

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Cast & Crew

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Arthur Cary

Director

Paul McCartney

Self

Klaus Voormann

Self

Elvis Costello

Self
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McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass

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Movie Info

Synopsis For over 50 years the disappearance of McCartney’s original Höfner bass has been one of rock ‘n’ roll’s enduring mysteries. McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass tells the extraordinary story of this iconic instrument, and the fan powered quest to find it. The journey of McCartney's beloved Höfner bass – one of the most famous instruments of the 20th century – is a portal to the past. Bought in Hamburg for £30, it was by Paul's side through the birth of The Beatles and bore witness to their extraordinary rise to fame. When it vanished in the 70s it was thought lost forever. This rock ‘n’ roll detective story features exclusive interviews with McCartney, his brother Mike, Klaus Voormann, Elvis Costello and the roadies, journalists and fans who embarked on a mission to track down and restore the bass to its proper place in music history and to Paul. It's a story about fandom, creativity, love, loss, memory and the transformative power of music.
Director
Arthur Cary
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 27m