Beatles' Films' Reviews

A Hard Day's Night

A Day in the Life of the Beatles in the height of Beatlemania. The Beatles go to a place to film a show for TV. As if the craziness of the fans and the press wasn't enough, the Beatles have to deal with Paul's grandfather, who has come along with them and whom they have to keep out of mischief! Things get especially crazy when the grandfather persuades Ringo to leave only a few hours before the TV show.
The film got nominated for Best Screenplay and in my opinion will be enjoyed even by non-Beatles fans. A Special Edition has recently come out on DVD.

Help!

This is a more of a "fiction" film, unlike "A Hard Day's Night" which was more realistic. In "Help!", Ringo has got possesion of a ring which belongs to an Indian religious sect that makes human sacrifices to Kali. The person who wares the ring is the next victim, so the Beatles have to stop Ringo from being sacrificed. The problem is that the ring just won't get off his finger.
An enjoyable film, but a bit far-fetched some times. As far as availability goes, I think "Help!" is available on DVD but I'm not certain. Keep looking!

Magical Mystery Tour

Magical Mystery Tour is more like an extended videoclip than a proper film. It shows the Beatles and various other people go on a bus tour but the plot is basically non-existent and if you try to get any meaning out of the whole thing, you will not succeed. The film has great performances of songs, however, and is certainly worth seeing for their sake.

Yellow Submarine

This is a cartoon film of the Fantasia kind. "Once upon a time, maybe twice, there was an unearthly paradise named Pepperland..." a paradise of flowers, peace, music and love. Unfortunately, Pepperland is attacked by the evil Blue Meanies, who hate music and turn everything and eveyone grey. Old Captain Fred escapes in a Yellow Submarine and goes to fetch the Beatles for help.
This is a sort of fantasy film that doesn't have a tight plot but doesn't rely on it because its main charm is the colors and the fantastic places the Beatles go through on their way to Pepperland. For me, this is the film that introduced me to the Beatles and made me a fan. It's the best way to make a child into a Beatles fan. Is available on video and DVD.
"You see music and hear colors"