Paul McCartney "Eyes Of The Storm" book: amzn.to/3VcfLpS Update: An apology! As some have pointed out it wasn't Billie Eilish singing All My Loving, it was Elaine Kim. The day before this was released I read a UK national newspaper review of the documentary that mentioned Billie Eilish singing the song so I had that in mind and didn't notice a difference when I heard it for myself, I should have double checked rather than believed the newspaper! My point still stands though, it felt very unnecessary having that performance open the documentary.
I think the Anthology is redundant now, particularly after the Get Back documentary, which sets a new bar, these are the kind of documentaries we need, that focus on particular events.
Right and it is a totally original way to start this great movie with an amazing version of an not famous female artist. It starts with the sadest scene of the whole movie. brilliant. There was no Beatles song, sad enough for that scene at that time. And no, her voice is not ugly, it is just brilliant and unique.
I'm not sure why they didn't just clean up and expand "The First US Visit". An essential documentary in and of itself, revolutionary for the time, with a fascinating audio commentary on the DVD. If they felt modern commentary was needed, the approach taken in the Oasis documentary, Supersonic, is a better means of staying in the moment, using contemporary footage only. Peter Jackson already demonstrated that there was an audience happy to spend nearly 8 hours With The Beatles in 1969, free from outside voices or footage. The same people would have loved another 2 hours with them in 1964.
@eric_stroud_drums8454 Eight Days a Week had its moments, but those moments were generally within the archive footage. It's a shame they've taken that approach again here. By contrast, Get Back was an immersive experience, with a narrative flow (like the First US Visit film)
Just watched the documentary... Well, just a few things I'd want to say right away (after wiping my tears away from my eyes). 1. This is a true document of the time. 2. I hope there will still be such great people on planet Earth after the Baby Boom generation is gone. And I am talking not only about the Beatles. 3. Music is magical. 4. There are lots of examples around to prove the opposite, but the talking heads in this documentary are extremely important. 5. The fact that a documentary has been produced or directed by Martin Scorsese is the ultimate reason for me to see it. Well, this also applies to his regular movies. 6. All we need is Love. Big thank you for your videos, Andrew!
Exactly, one of the greatest moments in The Beatles career and we didn't see it, what a complete waste of a film, Eight Days A Week was better than this!
I enjoyed watching Paul constantly listening to the radio. He didn’t want to miss a second of music. (I did the same thing when I visited the UK in the early 80’s 😂)
You don’t have to say it, but I will: I did not need to hear about that woman’s erotic dream about George or the fact that she literally has to stop any time she hears a Beatles song in public. So ridiculous lol
'that woman'? You can call her by her name, she's not just anyone, but Leonard Bernstein's daughter, and quite talented, just like her famous dad. So I'm pretty sure, Andrew wasn't alluding to her.
@@musiclassica I couldn't remember her name. And he liked my comment, so you tell me who you think he was referring to, regarding unnecessary talking head interviews
Thank you, Andrew. I was waiting for your review. Don’t have Disney Plus. I expect the Peter Jackson Get Back documentary has spoiled me with its mega Beatles footage so I’ll pass on a film with only 15 minutes of Beatles. So enjoy your opinions and honesty Andrew. I know you are busy with other stuff so I appreciate you taking the time for a review for Beatles fans who never get enough of The Beatles.
Another great Beatles Documentary! The live footage sounds amazing, the hype, hysteria and the feeling of the times were certainly captured. Fab4forever
Why did they not even include the iconic first introduction by Ed Sullivan? (did that not bother you, Andrew?) A record 73 million people saw that, and to simply not even include it is mind boggling. They should have included that plus the first 3 songs from the Sullivan show. That extra 10 minutes could easily have fit. Also, why include a totally out of place clip of She Said, She Said toward the end? Sometimes film makers try to be to cute by putting their own spin on things. Too bad none of the producers stepped up and said "Hey, wait a minute, why is this in there". I'll be making my own custom edit of the show, which should leave me with an enjoyable 15-20 minutes.
Wasn’t disappointed just because I wasn’t expecting much. Don’t know why they felt the need to create this instead of just cleaning up the audio and video on The First US Visit. The music did sound great, which is why it was frustrating that there was so little of it. It’s irritating that they have the capability to produce superb updated versions of the Sullivan appearances and the Washington concert but instead we get this random hodgepodge. It was cool to see that Ringo still has the green pinstriped suit from the David Frost show and Get Back.
To be honest I think yet again another missed opportunity. Too many other people talking and not enough Beatles footage . From the beginning it took ages to hear George’s voice . Brian is hardly even in it . Thank heavens for the Beatles conquer America DVD . Was I expecting too much ?
I agree I’m gutted I wanted THE WHOLE OF THE WASHINGTON CONCERT which is what I thought we would get 😭😭 😭 Hardly any of The Beatles footage at all it was more like a Beatles fans documentary lol 😭😭😭😭😢
I sense that you wanted to go in harder, Andrew, with your review, but you refrained from doing so in the interest of impartiality. For me, it was a poor experience. Too many talking heads, not enough emphasis on the music and generally a very superficial examination of that historic visit. The highlights were Long Tall Sally and This Boy; everything else was rather predictable and more for new audiences rather than seasoned Beatles afficionados. 4 out of 10.
@ I’m seasoned going back to the ‘60’s and I found it very entertaining and informative. I have The First U.S. Visit DVD so this is a good companion to that
@ngpappas Spot on. Good for new fans not seasoned veterans like me who was 12 at the time. I haven't watched "The First US Visit" which I've heard is far superior. Going to make sure I do.
Smokey’s comments about that they were the first white band he had ever seen was the Beatles was a good part. For why they played This Boy. I think they could have picked it to show they can do what The Beach Boys were also doing with complex harmonies.
I've not seen the movie yet but it appears to me to be just more Beatles product. This subject has already been well covered by the 2016 Ron Howard documentary Eight Days A Week.
I’m a bit gutted to be honest I thought there was going to be more footage of The Beatles in it and the Washington Concert in full on it 😭 It was more like a documentary about The Beatles Fans 😭 I just want to see The Beatles and the Washington concert in the good quality I don’t want to hear people talking about The Beatles lol I’m hoping there will be a Blu ray with the whole concert on it, I don’t think Apple have a clue what Beatles fans really want, I don’t know about anyone else but I am bloody DESPERATE for Shea Stadium and if I don’t get it next year well I will probably go insane 😂 I’m 62 now and would like it before I leave this planet.
Yes more Beatles. We have missed them so much.. Our lives and childhood memories are so amazing and we all feel like we need our fab four years back...
Murray the K was annoying as Hell trying to say he was the fifth Beatle! Lennon didn’t like him because he was an obnoxious blowhard. I can’t stand him either!
Just watched it. I thought it was a very well done historical film and shows the huge influence they had in just those 14 days. The interviews were necessary in telling the story of what was happening in 1964. Without this happening we would not have heard of all the great British bands and musicians that followed. This documentary is why so many musicians point to The Beatles as major influences. They truly lead the way by their music,personalities and showing all races can get along. To me, this is a companion to the DVD, The Beatles First U.S. Visit, which shows more footage of The Beatles in the hotel and Concert in Washington
Appreciate it Andrew, as always. As for Washington looking cold, it was indeed cold in that city given the killing of JFK. America has never been the same since then. Thankfully The Beatles brought (and still bring) people so much joy!
The Maysles Brothers film captures the excitement so much better than this film. I liked some of the talking heads but others were unnecessary. The pace of the film dropped too much too often for me. Some of it was great….. but not one I’d return to.
Missed opportunity for me. It felt very flat, lots of footage of fans but not really a diary or a sense of purpose for the Beatles visit from their perspective. Less of the eye of the hurricane and more of a slight breeze. The few song performances seemed quite quiet in comparison to the main dialogue. Not sure if that was just me?
@@Kossman58I thought the same. Since watching I’ve gone back to watch my First US Visit, Ed Sullivan shows & Anthology DVDs where in my opinion the performance sound is harsher but definitely louder. The footage has been nicely restored and the dialogue greatly enhanced in the new film though.
I agree with much of what has already been written and what you said. The actual footage of the Beatles was brilliant although the omission of All my Loving was a major error. Too many rather similar stories from anonymous talking heads although the interviews with Smokey Robinson and Ronnie Spector were great. Either edit it down to an hour or significantly increase the proportion of original material from 64.
Excellent review. Thanks. “ manage expectations “ yes but still essential to see. Saw them live at cow palace and candlestick but never fully appreciate till hard days night. Now many years in, not a day goes by without them. You’re a treasure. Keep it up.
I really enjoyed the whole movie from start to finish. I was 9 in 1964 so I found it so interesting to go back to a time when I started getting into great music as a kid. The passing of George Harrison on this day 23 years ago was on my mind as i watched. Loved your review Andrew..
Very disappointed with this film. Non-related beginning with horrible Beatles cover. It’s the Same as 8 Days a Week film. Just a load of snippets that we’ve all seen before, same old footage of girls creaming…same old footage of stage appearances…. Great shot of McCartney trying to feed the Seaguls though! I think this is a perfect reflection for Americans who were in amongst all the hysteria ….but as a 62 year old Brit, after 20 minutes I found myself skipping through on Fast-Forward. Its a poor effort and certainly not worth all the hype.
What John was playing on that melodica in 1964... was not the intro to "Strawberry Fields Forever". It may bare some resemblance to it - but it certainly is not the intro. I am surprised that you even bring that old idea up... because it just really doesn't hold any weight - upon any real scrutiny. If someone wants to focus on just seeing The Beatles from 1964... I'd tell them to watch the Washington D.C. show, the Ed Sullivan Show performances, the "A Hard Day's Night" movie and the making of "A Hard Day's Night" film documentary. What I really wish we had... is a two hour film from each of their album recording session periods. A couple of hours of "Get Back" type film from each recording period - would be absolute gold. Fans would buy that up in droves.
@@aBeatleFan4everwhat’s the issue? It’s Strawberry Fields, It’s John’s song. He wrote it. Period. How do you know he didn’t sing that exact melody to Paul? Even then, that mellotron intro melody is already inherent in John’s chord progression.
I'm a Beatles fan but I've not seen the First U.S. visit film so I can't compare. But I loved Beatles 64. The key scene for me is when a reporter asks Paul what impact the Beatles will have on Western culture. Paul brushes it off with a joke but you see a moment of realisation that that impact is probably happening. You see his realisation that things probably will never be the same again. So the talking heads in this film, for once, are justified because it's not just the Beatles story, it's the story of everyone caught up in that moment, and our lives now. This film is about that cultural impact, and it tells it really well. Some random favourite moments: The Gonzalez family watching Ed Sullivan; The stunning rendition of Yesterday by Smokey Robinson (I really liked the focus on black people's response to the band); and the phenomenal version of Long Tall Sally.
Thanks for the really nice review. Have not watched yet but looking forward to doing that this weekend. I also realized after watching your review that I forgot about the "Eyes Of The Storm" book but now know what my ask will be for my birthday next month.
I really enjoyed it for what it is. Wonderful to see the footage cleaned up, and it seemed there were some bits I hadn't noticed before in the First US Visit release (hope that gets a Blu-rays someday!). And I loved the new interviews with Paul and Ringo. Wonderful spend the time with The Beatles- always a joyous experience.
John was happy to hear his own voice on the headphones due to experiencing a delay playback for the first time. The film crew showed different delay effects.
Andrew, thanks for your review. I purposely waited until I'd seen the doc until watching any reviews and this the first one I turned to, unfortunately I think you have been over kind. At the beginning you say we should manage our expectations, for me that's a huge understatement. We should have big expectations as this is a Beatles documentary made by Apple yet contained very little footage of The Beatles. The film was all over the place, at one point in the film The Beatles are being photographed and Ringo sighs, I felt exactly the same. The worst part of the doc for me was where we saw the curtain about to rise on the Ed Sullivan show, then it immediately cuts to a documentary about electronic communication! There were some good points, the interviews with Smokey Robinson and some of the fans as they are today. But overall it would've been better if they had simply remade The First US Visit with the cleaned up footage.
I wondered that. I felt the sound quality, while massively improved to the best it's ever been, was not quite up to the standard that you'd expect from an official release, but we shall see!
Great video once again!!! Love your channel from across the pond in Florida! Agree with everything you said, especially the "opening song". Also, maybe because I was so sucked in, but I felt that it ended a little abruptly. Not a big deal, but I found myself going "Oh, I guess it's over, ok.."-lol.
its a great doc! love the way events of the time were weaved into the narrative and the interviews with young people were amazing the beatles were huge in the 60s and still carry alot of charm and popularity the music is timeless
It is an historic documentary to discover of how the Beatles go to USA and preform there. Also, 50 years of the album and the film of A Hard Day’s Night.
Thanks for the good review. I was worried this documentary wouldn't have anything new for me so I was quite glad to see Ronnie's and Smokey's interviews, the interviews with people from different parts of NY and their opinion of The Beatles. My favorite new (at least to me) was the guy that hitched a ride to Liverpool on the tramp steamer, what happened to him, how it changed his life and then meeting John later in his career.
I watched it yesterday Andrew and I loved it. The MAL team have done a fantastic job with the footage and sound. Enjoyed the recent interviews with Paul & Ringo and the archival interviews with John & George. Christmas has come early for us Beatles fans.
Thanks as always Andrew. I haven't seen the film yet, but I really do have to wonder how much more can be squeezed out of old footage, most of which we are already familiar with. I (and no doubt you!) have got DVDs of The Beatles First US Visit, The Ed Sullivan Shows, Eight Days A Week - all overlapping extensively in their content. Enough already! Now if we were talking about a box set of Rubber Soul (/Help!?), and a 50th anniversary blu-ray of Help! the movie, then I'd be interested!
Thanks, Andrew! I have no idea when I will actually get to see this one, but I know I will love it. Probably a few of the modern bits will be annoying, but most of what you've described is stuff I enjoy. I've watched the clips and trailers, so it will be interesting to see if they've actually saved any really choice bits to reward the viewer of the whole thing!
I have the Maysles brothers video of the first visit. It's fascinating to watch. The boys were very interested in the technology the brothers had at their disposal to record the event. One thing I most remember is as you mentioned, the boys were leaving the hotel room to perhaps go to a rehearsal or something, John is lagging behind fiddling with a small keyboard player as the others are waiting, as you say, he starts playing the intro to 'Strawberry Fields Forever.' It was amazing to see and know he had the song in his head 3 years or so before he wrote the tune. One of the brothers even commented on that fact in the video.
Watched it at last. Very enjoyable. Smokey Robinson's version of "Yesterday" is the best I've ever heard (after the original). This new doc put things in context, and though It certainly doesn't replace "The first US visit" , it's a nice complement, with a few moments never seen before (by me anyway).
I actually enjoyed it more than I expected, although very little of the actual footavehas not been seen before. Long Tall Sally was the stand out momen. I also enjoyed the new Ringo clips.
Good review, Andrew. I just finished watching it, then tuned in to your review. I agree it was a bit of a mixed bag, but any new Beatles footage is a good thing. There were some lovely moments: Paul talking about the photograph exhibition (which took place in the Brooklyn Museum) and pointing out various details in the photos, watching Ringo simply enjoying himself wherever he was - in the hotels, in the clubs, or behind the drums, John playing the melodica (!), and George cutting up on the train. I'm sure I'll buy the physical DVD whenever it appears. By the way, George's hand on the shelf behind you and directly over your head, couldn't help but remind me of the hand over Paul's head on the Sgt. Pepper album cover.
Well done review. I look at the documentary from the perspective of what effect the Beatles had on America in '64 vs. what effect America had on the Beatles and their path. I think Scorsese and company are trying that angle due to the fact the other docs exist. But, I was expecting more of the Beatles' "journey" to and through America than was shown. I also expected more Paul and Ringo interview material since they both love to get nostalgic these days. I give it a B overall. Still it's Beatles content and who can argue with that? 🙂
Sometimes small things done wrong bother me… they should have used “Ferry Cross the Mersey” (not “ Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying”) over the Liverpool footage. Should have shown US “The Beatles Second Album” rather than the UK “With The Beatles” to illustrate the “You Really Got a Hold on Me” cover.
I thought this was FANTASTIC! (intro aside) Simply put, there's not enough focus on this period of the band, and the stuff we do have is pretty old and often unavailable. I find it hard to connect with the "electricity" of old Beatlemania documentaries with grainy DVD-quality footage, tinny audio etc. For the first time, this Doc gave me a feeling of being "close" to Beatlemania. The interviews of the young girls are wonderful, and I think it's good to appreicate the role that young girls and women played in taking the Beatles to the moon! This doc really showed how Cool the beatles were, and it's a gift to see the lads in such great quality in their primes. I think the talkiing heads did add quite a bit of context. I love the talk about how black artists reacted to the Beatles. People are sometimes uncomfortable with talking about race when it comes to The Beatles, but this Doc shows how the Beatles stood out from other white artists by respecting the black roots of the genre and giving back to the culture. I believe it's also widely accepted that they called their own album "Rubber Soul" in part as a cheeky, self-derogatory nod at their brand of white boy soul. I thought the intro was the worst part, and it made me cringe a bit. Im 25 and a Billie Eilish fan, and I found it totally out of place. However, the Smoky Robinson cover of Yesterday was stunning and made up for everything. This doc paints a picture of a time, a place, and an incredible band. For a 100 minute doc, I think it is quite good.
I agree with your assessment. I actually teared up on some parts, like when Smokey was talking about how they covered You Really Got A Hold Of Me, a song he wrote. Race relations was always a big part of The Beatles history that was rarely talked about so it was refreshing to see them cover more of it in this film. I throughly enjoyed watching this. It really gave an introspective look into 1964. This film will help casual fans and people born after The Beatles were done to understand that it was more than just screaming girls. This film has great historical significance and better explains The Beatles in 1964 and how they became the greatest band.
Should have just cleaned up ""The First US Visit" and expanded it. I liked the more linear approach there showing the trip from start to finish also should have had the whole Washington show without any interruptions and no interviews. It should have followed Get Back in style with more straight plot and the rooftop concert in Get Back would've been the Washington show. In my opinion "The First US Visit" version is more superior sadly.
Hello Andrew, enjoyed your thoughts on this documentary. I woke up early to watch it this morning and I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the lack of Beatle scenes. I gave myself a few hours then re-watched it and this time I definitely enjoyed it more. It is interesting, hopefully new fans will learn how things were during that time. I try not to be too critical of what is now being released by Apple. Us older fans have just about seen everything there is to see and newer fans will benefit from this. Take care!
I did enjoy this documentary, though to be honest, this was merely an update of The First US Visit 20 years on. But what for me was worth watching it for was the live audio featured in this Doc. Looking at it now, this to me was a Documentary telling the story of The Beatles arrival in the US, so we are going to get footage of the fans and their excitement/mania, how the press covered their arrival as well as talking heads of those who lived through this time, and the memories of John, Paul, George and Ringo. One thing I did learn from this was of Jack Douglas who went to Liverpool as a struggling Musician, his story is incredible, thinking of how he eventually ended up working with John. If this does come out eventually on Blu ray/ DVD. Then let it be as a two disc release of both this and The First US Visit. As a Beatles Fan I will buy it.
I tried to be patient with the talking heads while waiting for the footage I really wanted to see. Overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit and it ended before I wanted it to. I plan on watching it again in a month or so. Thanks for your review.
Really enjoyed the documentary. Always great to see updated/remastered performance and music, and thought the focus on the reaction to the Beatles phenomena by fans, critics and other artists, especially Ronnie Spector, Smokey Robinson (his version of Yesterday was fantastic!) and The Isley Brother. The Beatles reflections were typically funny, in the moment and insightful (especially John's final comments) A very good, enjoyable and useful addition to Beatles lore.
Great footage, poorly used. Scorsese's doc. on Dylan was great because it brought you to a specific time in history and Dylan's career. This doc. fails to bring us there in some ways. For starters, the use of All My Loving over JFK's casket was a mood breaker for me. Later on, Smokey Robinson singing Yesterday in its entirety was to me completely out of place since the song wasn't even written until a year later..... I enjoyed the interviews and the footage of the fans and The Beatles were great. It's called The Beatles '64, the footage was, the doc. should've kept us there as well. I'll still recommend it.
Most of the full concert footage that survives is around on DVDs if you look for them (on ebay and other places). It's great stuff but that clearly is not the purpose of this documentary. I guess they didn't promote it right because it was not clearly stated that this was not a concert film at all . DVDs of some of the Washington,DC concert are around, along with their set at the NME (New Musical Express) Poll-Winners concert on July 26, 1964. The NME concert is great, with all sorts of amazing live performances (such as the Stones and the Dave Clark Five).
I think it’s a decent documentary and definitely worth watching. The archive footage has largely been seen before which is perfectly understandable. It was most unlikely that hours of unseen footage was going to be found unfortunately. However, in my opinion at least, it’s the cleanest and best sounding we’ve ever seen it before. Just compare the quality of the footage in The First US Visit & Anthology DVDs and it’s like seeing it ‘new’. Hats off to everyone involved in the restoration. I’m not really a fan of ‘talking heads’ and like you Andrew I agree some are better than others. Ronnie Spector deserves special mention. Sadly she’s passed now but as she’s featured here I’m wondering if this documentary was intended for release earlier than we’re getting it. Seems likely that Paul’s book was intended as a compliment to the documentary as well as the release of the US albums boxset. As an ‘entitled’ Beatles fan I will always want more. I’d like an edit that dispenses with the talking heads and just concentrates on all the Beatles footage and complete performances. Hopefully there will be future physical releases. A wee bit of a missed opportunity but enjoyable nonetheless. Billie Eilish probably added to try and entice the youngsters to watch. Not my favourite rendition of All My Loving! I’d best say no more on that 😂 I’m a second generation fan who grew up with the Beatles but had to wait until the 70s to buy my own records. My parents are in their 80s now and they thoroughly enjoyed the documentary. Great nostalgia for them. Dad was working in the US at this time and when locals heard his ‘English’, actually Scottish accent, he was frequently asked if he knew the Beatles! If only. Great review Andrew, all the best to you.
Thank you. I myself also thought it was Eilish before reading the credits, something Andrew should have done also before vociferating about her "most miserable voice" ...
The whole point about there being very little story in A Hard Day's Night is that it's a vehicle for the music. No story required, other than a basic framework for the songs.
I really enjoyed Beatles '64 on Disney plus very nice documentary glad i seen this movie hopefully we get a Washington DC concert on dvd and cd maybe Ed Sullivan and Miami Beach TV show too on dvd and cd i wish they would have put more of the concert footage Washington DC concert good quality sound and picture quality glad Disney plus and Apple gave us this amazing footage! Thanks Andrew great review
Lovely review Andrew! I'll be watching this weekend. Re - headphones... they're actually been around since the early days of radio in the early 1900s, but originally developed in their more familiar guise for field radios of WW1. Headphones didn't become available for domestic use until the advent of stereo Hi-Fi's in the mid to late 1960s.
Yep, my late Great Uncle used headphones in WW1. My late Grandfathers had domestic headphones in the 20s, home made kits & radio sets were common at a time when radios were very expensive to buy.
I’m glad we got this doc, but it pales in comparison to The First U.S. Visit, especially the 2004 version. You’d expect to be cast back to 1964, but the talking heads totally killed that vibe. Also, not enough full performances I enjoyed your review, however. Happy Christmas season to you, my friend!
I thought the film was a mess. It jumped around from topic to topic without any real flow to it, as if they were just trying to find places to insert the talking head footage. The Maysles 1964 footage is brilliant and is fascinating viewing… which only highlights how subpar the rest of the film is. The Maysles’ First US Visit film is so much more successful in both telling the story of that time period and conveying the excitement of the Beatles… all without a single talking head to tell us the obvious. My fear is that this Disney documentary will now prevent First US Visit from ever getting a proper restoration and reissue in HD, which would be a real shame.
The restoration looks amazing respecting the grain of the films, they do a very small justice with Black Rock & Roll American Music rather than white influencing British Rock, that was THE direction that they totally missed to expand and to teach to a whole new generation and turn into a series. The Beatles where and still is an important part of a Political Revolution against abuse and control against the Working Class of this World. I really Enjoy it!
Hi mate great review. However I think I will keep my original DVD "The First US Visit" I think on this disc you get 83mins constant footage of the Boys.
Excellent work Andrew. I thought there was a lot of new footage from the Maysles filming I’d not seen before which was great. Although some of it quite trivial and can see why it was cut. The interview back home also had a bit right at the start if not seen. I think a bit like PJ in GB, they’d minimised repeating known clips where feasible.
I liked it. Even liked “the talking heads”. I didn’t mind the fans telling their stories as it’s a different perspective. My absolute favorite was Jack Douglas. I hope that wasn’t the one you were meaning as I feel his story was the best of the fans stories in it.
I wasn't talking about Jack Douglas, I enjoyed hearing his story and would like to hear more of it, although I'm not convinced it was entirely relevant to this documentary.
Great review, as always! I'm really fond of your style - clear, logical and informative. I can even say - somewhat jokingly - that I don't really need to watch the real thing after watching this :) One thing, though. I have seen John's melodica bit elsewhere, and I'm not sure this is where the intro to Strawberry Fields originated. It always felt to me like a sequence of rather obvious notes to be played on the instrument like this. It was Paul who played it on the studio version after all and he might have just been following John's guitar chords pattern. But I don't think we will ever know anyway. You might as well be right about this.
Good to hear your thoughts and a well balanced review. I'm not a Disney subscriber and not sure this would convince me to be one. Not a fan of too many talking heads like on Eight Days A Week. However I will dig out The First US Visit on DVD and rewatch that as it's been years since I last saw it.
Andrew , you are the first person that has ever referenced what sounds like the intro to strawberry fields by John on melodica ! I’ve always thought that too !
I have no interest whatsoever in audio or video streaming. I'm a first generation Beatles fan (age 68) and a lifetime collector of physical product. After hearing your description of this documentary, I don't feel that I'm missing anything. I'm content with my DVD of "The First U.S. Visit". I don't like the direction that Apple Corpse has been going in in the past 2 years. They're snubbing the older fans.
@Dennis As Emily Litella herself once misguidedly-opined: “I LOVE Talking Heads, as David Byrne was a real hoot, but what have they to do with The Beatles?!..
This sounds very similar to the Eight Days A Week snoozefest so I won't go out of my way to see it (I don't have Disney Plus). These films aren't for the superfans. We've seen all this stuff. They are for the casual fans or the newbies. I'm sure they will enjoy it.
This one actually features 17 minutes of previously unreleased footage. The restoration is generally good looking too. The AI upscaling is a bit noticeable at times, but it doesn’t look animated in the same way that Get Back does; the natural grain is kept intact. A joy to watch.
Hated the cover of All my Loving and saw no point, loved hearing Strawberry Fields in embryonic form, interesting to see the lunacy of the situation they were in. I enjoyed it and will watch it again. I also liked the Get Back films
Thanks Andrew. I’m shocked to say this, but I think I’ll pass on watching this film. I was unimpressed by the trailer because of how much time they spent on irrelevant celebrity interviews, and don’t think I can stomach a lot of asinine talking heads clogging up the runtime. They should have learned their lesson from Eight Days a Week.
It is hard to believe the Beatles org wouldn't want to really get a doc of Beatlemania right after the abysmal Eight Days a Week movie. The Shea Stadium tag was the only worthwhile section. But it looks like they fell short once again. I don't intend to see it
Just watched it. Would have lime more of Ed and the 1st concert. Less interviews. Good but could have been great. Fans and Press articles were good to see.
I enjoyed the film. Loved seeing the Beatles soaking in this alien culture that they found themselves in the centre of. The concert footage was brilliant, and judging by the credits, Peter Jackson's Mal software was involved to some degree. I listened to the accompanying soundtrack album, now that was disappointing. I'd hoped we'd get some cleaned up live recordings. But sadly not. We got remasters and mixes available elsewhere. I think that was a golden opportunity missed.
Haven’t been able to give it a watch yet, but I will say that I feel that most of the value from these kinds of documentaries comes from the unseen footage. The interviews are nice and all, but I really watch for the unseen or newly cleaned footage.
Great review, Andrew, and I agree. Lots of great footage, and a lot of missed opportunities and talking heads of varying relevance. Would have been nice to get updates from fans interviewed in 1964, but after the Adrienne from Brooklyn thing I guess they just didn't want to spend time on tracking people down. And why include the clip of Paul reacting to the radio announcement about a poetry reading and not even bother to include the punchline? ("We ain't written no poetry!") While this would have been better as an expanded multi-part series, it's still worth watching, and I hope at some point we get to see and hear even more spruced up concert recordings.
Good review Andrew, and yes I agree with your review. The problem with Scorsese is he’s always putting actors and directors in his documentaries and for me just doesn’t fit in anywhere. Nice to see but would rather have had just The Beatles in it. I always get annoyed when all the interviews go on about how great the Beatles are and were but we know this, it’s just cringe nowadays. All the interviews weren’t needed
Someone else here mentioned that they didn’t like the Jamie Bernstein segments, but I did. It would’ve been a missed opportunity not to hear from at least one or two of those teenage girls about what they thought of their actions/feelings 60 years later. Plus, it’s Leonard Bernstein’s daughter so we get some insight into what her father thought about it all. Leonard Bernstein was a central figure in U.S. popular culture at the time, so his opinions carried weight.
Yeah, I wish there was more music in it, as well. We know that there's a lot of Washington footage available. I'm wondering if it just isn't up to the quality necessary for good restoration. And, like you, I hope we get a DVD or Blu-Ray release. We old guys do like our physical media!
The documentary would have been much better if they had restored and used the footage from the documentary The First Us Visit with the new interviews with Paul and Ringo added. I don't know if it's me but i thought that the sound of the Washington Coliseum concert had a little too much reverb added.
The first concert was a Carnegie Hall the evening before the first "Ed Sullivan" show. Then they went from New York, to Washington, DC, and then to Miami Florida. Then back home.
@@jnagarya519 I don't think that's the case. I believe it was Ed Sullivan NYC (9th), then Washington (11th), then back to Carnegie Hall (12th) then fly to Miami on 13th.
I just watched it and as I predicted it's just the same old story everybody knows and love. The only highlight for me was the interview with Smokey Robinson and his performance of Yesterday.
Hi Andrew, great review and analysis on the Beates '64 movie. I thought the movie was very well done and I would give it a 5-star rating. Scorese did a great job of showing the hysteria that surrounded the Beatles. The recent interviews with Paul and Ringo were one of the many good parts of the documentary. Especially seeing a recent clip of Ringo playing the drum kit. It was also odd but profound when there was a short interview of John and Yoko during their hippie days. Being a long time Beatles fan since I was a kid in 1969, I have some other thoughts about the movie. When they showed John Kennedy at the very start, they could have spent another couple minute's defining the political psyche during the Kennedy Administration. Such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also, American Advisers being sent to Vietnam. But I think the main purpose of showing Kennedy was the hope he brought to the United States. Oddly enough, what struck me was George seemed like such a nice guy. Well behaved and great quips. an outstanding individual. Just a tremendous young George Harriso. He was really outgoing and happy. Maybe there was too much of showing the Beatles in the Hotel rooms and traveling in close quarters. There was a lot of close-up shots. I kind of felt like I was stuck in the room with them. It got a little tedious to me. They could have spent 20 minutes on the making of the Hard Days Night Movie and album. It would have been fun to see their fans or the Beatletes singing "we love you Beatles, o yes we do." Overall, the Beatles "64 was as good as I expected. I really showed what Beatlemania was like instead of just a portrayal. This is a good contrast compared with the Get Back and the Let it be Movies. Hopefully there will put out more documents such as Beatles "65, "66, "67, "68, and "69. Most of these years with the Beatles was shown in the Beatles Anthology DVD. But it seemed a bit one sided because there was not a narrator. Also there were not any interviews other than in the Beatle's inner circle.
Excellent review, Andrew. And your honesty is appreciated. I am a huge Beatles fan. Love them. But this new doc seems to be: 1. A lot of what we have seen previously. 2. The "talking heads" user too much yet again. 3.Billie Eilish in this movie of 1964 and her depressing version of a joyful song, i do not get at all.
Paul McCartney "Eyes Of The Storm" book: amzn.to/3VcfLpS
Update: An apology! As some have pointed out it wasn't Billie Eilish singing All My Loving, it was Elaine Kim. The day before this was released I read a UK national newspaper review of the documentary that mentioned Billie Eilish singing the song so I had that in mind and didn't notice a difference when I heard it for myself, I should have double checked rather than believed the newspaper!
My point still stands though, it felt very unnecessary having that performance open the documentary.
Ummmmmm, okay. So, who's Elaine Kim?!?
I didn't know who was singing All My Loving, but I "knew" it wasn't Billie Eilish (thank God!).
I think the Anthology is redundant now, particularly after the Get Back documentary, which sets a new bar, these are the kind of documentaries we need, that focus on particular events.
Elaine Kim: ruclips.net/video/mrFx2LZB7D4/видео.htmlsi=xs3mD2oUgo9EDSbE
Right and it is a totally original way to start this great movie with an amazing version of an not famous female artist. It starts with the sadest scene of the whole movie. brilliant. There was no Beatles song, sad enough for that scene at that time. And no, her voice is not ugly, it is just brilliant and unique.
I'm not sure why they didn't just clean up and expand "The First US Visit". An essential documentary in and of itself, revolutionary for the time, with a fascinating audio commentary on the DVD.
If they felt modern commentary was needed, the approach taken in the Oasis documentary, Supersonic, is a better means of staying in the moment, using contemporary footage only.
Peter Jackson already demonstrated that there was an audience happy to spend nearly 8 hours With The Beatles in 1969, free from outside voices or footage. The same people would have loved another 2 hours with them in 1964.
That is indeed what I was hoping for.
@eric_stroud_drums8454 Eight Days a Week had its moments, but those moments were generally within the archive footage. It's a shame they've taken that approach again here.
By contrast, Get Back was an immersive experience, with a narrative flow (like the First US Visit film)
Just watched the documentary... Well, just a few things I'd want to say right away (after wiping my tears away from my eyes).
1. This is a true document of the time.
2. I hope there will still be such great people on planet Earth after the Baby Boom generation is gone. And I am talking not only about the Beatles.
3. Music is magical.
4. There are lots of examples around to prove the opposite, but the talking heads in this documentary are extremely important.
5. The fact that a documentary has been produced or directed by Martin Scorsese is the ultimate reason for me to see it. Well, this also applies to his regular movies.
6. All we need is Love.
Big thank you for your videos, Andrew!
Direct and to the point: Skip this movie and just watch the Maysles Beatles First US Visit.
I hadn't been aware of this, have just ordered a copy, this might be the best thing that came out of the documentary for me, definitely underwhelming.
Exactly my thoughts. Might just put my DVD on tomorrow.
Everything is always better with more Beatles. Life is better with more Beatles. ✌️💛
I'm surprised they didn't show the big moment when Ed Sullivan introduces the Beatles for the first time and the Beatles play All My Loving.
Exactly, one of the greatest moments in The Beatles career and we didn't see it, what a complete waste of a film, Eight Days A Week was better than this!
Wish they would clean up and re release The Beatles Anthology.
Did you watch the 5-disc DVD set from 2013? I liked that a lot. It's on Amazon and elsewhere for about $50 to $65.
@@gli7utubeobut that’s not even in HD quality
I enjoyed watching Paul constantly listening to the radio. He didn’t want to miss a second of music. (I did the same thing when I visited the UK in the early 80’s 😂)
You don’t have to say it, but I will: I did not need to hear about that woman’s erotic dream about George or the fact that she literally has to stop any time she hears a Beatles song in public. So ridiculous lol
@@nzapa21 I thought it was great to hear the effect they had at the time , and her love for their music endures so strongly 💁♂️
'that woman'? You can call her by her name, she's not just anyone, but Leonard Bernstein's daughter, and quite talented, just like her famous dad. So I'm pretty sure, Andrew wasn't alluding to her.
@@musiclassica I couldn't remember her name. And he liked my comment, so you tell me who you think he was referring to, regarding unnecessary talking head interviews
I wasn't referring to Jamie Bernstein 😉👍
Thank you, Andrew. I was waiting for your review. Don’t have Disney Plus. I expect the Peter Jackson Get Back documentary has spoiled me with its mega Beatles footage so I’ll pass on a film with only 15 minutes of Beatles. So enjoy your opinions and honesty Andrew. I know you are busy with other stuff so I appreciate you taking the time for a review for Beatles fans who never get enough of The Beatles.
A restored Maysles Brothers “What’s Happening” was all that was needed. No need for Scorsese.
Another great Beatles Documentary!
The live footage sounds amazing, the hype, hysteria and the feeling of the times were certainly captured.
Fab4forever
Why did they not even include the iconic first introduction by Ed Sullivan? (did that not bother you, Andrew?) A record 73 million people saw that, and to simply not even include it is mind boggling. They should have included that plus the first 3 songs from the Sullivan show. That extra 10 minutes could easily have fit. Also, why include a totally out of place clip of She Said, She Said toward the end? Sometimes film makers try to be to cute by putting their own spin on things. Too bad none of the producers stepped up and said "Hey, wait a minute, why is this in there". I'll be making my own custom edit of the show, which should leave me with an enjoyable 15-20 minutes.
Wasn’t disappointed just because I wasn’t expecting much. Don’t know why they felt the need to create this instead of just cleaning up the audio and video on The First US Visit. The music did sound great, which is why it was frustrating that there was so little of it. It’s irritating that they have the capability to produce superb updated versions of the Sullivan appearances and the Washington concert but instead we get this random hodgepodge.
It was cool to see that Ringo still has the green pinstriped suit from the David Frost show and Get Back.
To be honest I think yet again another missed opportunity. Too many other people talking and not enough Beatles footage . From the beginning it took ages to hear George’s voice . Brian is hardly even in it . Thank heavens for the Beatles conquer America DVD . Was I expecting too much ?
I was moved by it. Thought it was very well done and historical
I agree I’m gutted I wanted THE WHOLE OF THE WASHINGTON CONCERT which is what I thought we would get 😭😭 😭 Hardly any of The Beatles footage at all it was more like a Beatles fans documentary lol 😭😭😭😭😢
I sense that you wanted to go in harder, Andrew, with your review, but you refrained from doing so in the interest of impartiality. For me, it was a poor experience. Too many talking heads, not enough emphasis on the music and generally a very superficial examination of that historic visit. The highlights were Long Tall Sally and This Boy; everything else was rather predictable and more for new audiences rather than seasoned Beatles afficionados. 4 out of 10.
@ I’m seasoned going back to the ‘60’s and I found it very entertaining and informative. I have The First U.S. Visit DVD so this is a good companion to that
@ngpappas Spot on. Good for new fans not seasoned veterans like me who was 12 at the time. I haven't watched "The First US Visit" which I've heard is far superior. Going to make sure I do.
I only saw The Beatles live once. This film represents the madness very well. A strange but wonderful moment in time.
Smokey’s comments about that they were the first white band he had ever seen was the Beatles was a good part. For why they played This Boy. I think they could have picked it to show they can do what The Beach Boys were also doing with complex harmonies.
They mixed their rock and roll with slow music to show how versatile they were
I've not seen the movie yet but it appears to me to be just more Beatles product. This subject has already been well covered by the 2016 Ron Howard documentary Eight Days A Week.
I’m a bit gutted to be honest I thought there was going to be more footage of The Beatles in it and the Washington Concert in full on it 😭 It was more like a documentary about The Beatles Fans 😭 I just want to see The Beatles and the Washington concert in the good quality I don’t want to hear people talking about The Beatles lol
I’m hoping there will be a Blu ray with the whole concert on it, I don’t think Apple have a clue what Beatles fans really want, I don’t know about anyone else but I am bloody DESPERATE for Shea Stadium and if I don’t get it next year well I will probably go insane 😂 I’m 62 now and would like it before I leave this planet.
I'm 76 and still waiting for both Washington and Shea.
Well put, completely agree.
Agree 100%
Yes more Beatles.
We have missed them so much..
Our lives and childhood memories are so amazing and we all feel like we need our fab four years back...
Murray the K was annoying as Hell trying to say he was the fifth Beatle!
Lennon didn’t like him because he was an obnoxious blowhard. I can’t stand him either!
Just watched it. I thought it was a very well done historical film and shows the huge influence they had in just those 14 days. The interviews were necessary in telling the story of what was happening in 1964. Without this happening we would not have heard of all the great British bands and musicians that followed. This documentary is why so many musicians point to The Beatles as major influences. They truly lead the way by their music,personalities and showing all races can get along. To me, this is a companion to the DVD, The Beatles First U.S. Visit, which shows more footage of The Beatles in the hotel and Concert in Washington
Appreciate it Andrew, as always.
As for Washington looking cold, it was indeed cold in that city given the killing of JFK.
America has never been the same since then. Thankfully The Beatles brought (and still bring) people so much joy!
The Maysles Brothers film captures the excitement so much better than this film. I liked some of the talking heads but others were unnecessary. The pace of the film dropped too much too often for me. Some of it was great….. but not one I’d return to.
Missed opportunity for me. It felt very flat, lots of footage of fans but not really a diary or a sense of purpose for the Beatles visit from their perspective.
Less of the eye of the hurricane and more of a slight breeze.
The few song performances seemed quite quiet in comparison to the main dialogue. Not sure if that was just me?
@@Kossman58I thought the same. Since watching I’ve gone back to watch my First US Visit, Ed Sullivan shows & Anthology DVDs where in my opinion the performance sound is harsher but definitely louder. The footage has been nicely restored and the dialogue greatly enhanced in the new film though.
I agree with much of what has already been written and what you said. The actual footage of the Beatles was brilliant although the omission of All my Loving was a major error. Too many rather similar stories from anonymous talking heads although the interviews with Smokey Robinson and Ronnie Spector were great. Either edit it down to an hour or significantly increase the proportion of original material from 64.
Excellent review. Thanks. “ manage expectations “ yes but still essential to see. Saw them live at cow palace and candlestick but never fully appreciate till hard days night. Now many years in, not a day goes by without them. You’re a treasure. Keep it up.
John playing the melodica blew my mind. I thought wow that sounds a bit like the intro to Strawberry Fields!. Bit of a mixed bag overall.
thats been around forever. in the first us visit film
@@markv.5962 someone's discovered that bit at last!
I really enjoyed the whole movie from start to finish. I was 9 in 1964 so I found it so interesting to go back to a time when I started getting into great music as a kid. The passing of George Harrison on this day 23 years ago was on my mind as i watched. Loved your review Andrew..
They did use the MAL tech on this. The team get a credit at the end.
Always good to actually READ the credits before posting an uninformed opinion.
Very disappointed with this film. Non-related beginning with horrible Beatles cover. It’s the Same as 8 Days a Week film. Just a load of snippets that we’ve all seen before, same old footage of girls creaming…same old footage of stage appearances…. Great shot of McCartney trying to feed the Seaguls though!
I think this is a perfect reflection for Americans who were in amongst all the hysteria ….but as a 62 year old Brit, after 20 minutes I found myself skipping through on Fast-Forward. Its a poor effort and certainly not worth all the hype.
What John was playing on that melodica in 1964... was not the intro to "Strawberry Fields Forever". It may bare some resemblance to it - but it certainly is not the intro. I am surprised that you even bring that old idea up... because it just really doesn't hold any weight - upon any real scrutiny.
If someone wants to focus on just seeing The Beatles from 1964... I'd tell them to watch the Washington D.C. show, the Ed Sullivan Show performances, the "A Hard Day's Night" movie and the making of "A Hard Day's Night" film documentary.
What I really wish we had... is a two hour film from each of their album recording session periods. A couple of hours of "Get Back" type film from each recording period - would be absolute gold. Fans would buy that up in droves.
John was playing a note sequence of Strawberry Fields. Fact
@@Rockmyer - No... Listen to the two things back to back - and they are very different. Clearly not the same. There is just a bit of a similarity.
@@aBeatleFan4everwhat’s the issue? It’s Strawberry Fields,
It’s John’s song. He wrote it. Period. How do you know he didn’t sing that exact melody to Paul? Even then, that mellotron intro melody is already inherent in John’s chord progression.
I'm a Beatles fan but I've not seen the First U.S. visit film so I can't compare. But I loved Beatles 64. The key scene for me is when a reporter asks Paul what impact the Beatles will have on Western culture. Paul brushes it off with a joke but you see a moment of realisation that that impact is probably happening. You see his realisation that things probably will never be the same again. So the talking heads in this film, for once, are justified because it's not just the Beatles story, it's the story of everyone caught up in that moment, and our lives now. This film is about that cultural impact, and it tells it really well.
Some random favourite moments:
The Gonzalez family watching Ed Sullivan;
The stunning rendition of Yesterday by Smokey Robinson (I really liked the focus on black people's response to the band);
and the phenomenal version of Long Tall Sally.
Thanks for the really nice review. Have not watched yet but looking forward to doing that this weekend. I also realized after watching your review that I forgot about the "Eyes Of The Storm" book but now know what my ask will be for my birthday next month.
I really enjoyed it for what it is. Wonderful to see the footage cleaned up, and it seemed there were some bits I hadn't noticed before in the First US Visit release (hope that gets a Blu-rays someday!). And I loved the new interviews with Paul and Ringo. Wonderful spend the time with The Beatles- always a joyous experience.
John was happy to hear his own voice on the headphones due to experiencing a delay playback for the first time. The film crew showed different delay effects.
Andrew, thanks for your review. I purposely waited until I'd seen the doc until watching any reviews and this the first one I turned to, unfortunately I think you have been over kind. At the beginning you say we should manage our expectations, for me that's a huge understatement. We should have big expectations as this is a Beatles documentary made by Apple yet contained very little footage of The Beatles. The film was all over the place, at one point in the film The Beatles are being photographed and Ringo sighs, I felt exactly the same. The worst part of the doc for me was where we saw the curtain about to rise on the Ed Sullivan show, then it immediately cuts to a documentary about electronic communication!
There were some good points, the interviews with Smokey Robinson and some of the fans as they are today.
But overall it would've been better if they had simply remade The First US Visit with the cleaned up footage.
I wonder if there is a album in this? A decent live album with today's improvement in technology would be great.
I wondered that. I felt the sound quality, while massively improved to the best it's ever been, was not quite up to the standard that you'd expect from an official release, but we shall see!
Great video once again!!! Love your channel from across the pond in Florida! Agree with everything you said, especially the "opening song". Also, maybe because I was so sucked in, but I felt that it ended a little abruptly. Not a big deal, but I found myself going "Oh, I guess it's over, ok.."-lol.
@@egamache Thanks for watching 🙂👍
its a great doc! love the way events of the time were weaved into the narrative
and the interviews with young people were amazing
the beatles were huge in the 60s and still carry alot of charm and popularity
the music is timeless
It is an historic documentary to discover of how the Beatles go to USA and preform there. Also, 50 years of the album and the film of A Hard Day’s Night.
60 years.
Yeah, that one.
Maybe you haven't seen The First US Visit?
Thanks for the good review. I was worried this documentary wouldn't have anything new for me so I was quite glad to see Ronnie's and Smokey's interviews, the interviews with people from different parts of NY and their opinion of The Beatles. My favorite new (at least to me) was the guy that hitched a ride to Liverpool on the tramp steamer, what happened to him, how it changed his life and then meeting John later in his career.
Yes I quite enjoyed that story, although I'm not sure it was massively relevant to the Beatles in the US in 64!
I watched it yesterday Andrew and I loved it. The MAL team have done a fantastic job with the footage and sound. Enjoyed the recent interviews with Paul & Ringo and the archival interviews with John & George. Christmas has come early for us Beatles fans.
Thanks as always Andrew. I haven't seen the film yet, but I really do have to wonder how much more can be squeezed out of old footage, most of which we are already familiar with. I (and no doubt you!) have got DVDs of The Beatles First US Visit, The Ed Sullivan Shows, Eight Days A Week - all overlapping extensively in their content. Enough already! Now if we were talking about a box set of Rubber Soul (/Help!?), and a 50th anniversary blu-ray of Help! the movie, then I'd be interested!
💯
Agree 100%.
A 50th anniversary blu-ray of Help! needed to be released ten years ago... 🙂
Thanks, Andrew! I have no idea when I will actually get to see this one, but I know I will love it. Probably a few of the modern bits will be annoying, but most of what you've described is stuff I enjoy. I've watched the clips and trailers, so it will be interesting to see if they've actually saved any really choice bits to reward the viewer of the whole thing!
I have the Maysles brothers video of the first visit. It's fascinating to watch. The boys were very interested in the technology the brothers had at their disposal to record the event. One thing I most remember is as you mentioned, the boys were leaving the hotel room to perhaps go to a rehearsal or something, John is lagging behind fiddling with a small keyboard player as the others are waiting, as you say, he starts playing the intro to 'Strawberry Fields Forever.' It was amazing to see and know he had the song in his head 3 years or so before he wrote the tune. One of the brothers even commented on that fact in the video.
Watched it at last. Very enjoyable. Smokey Robinson's version of "Yesterday" is the best I've ever heard (after the original). This new doc put things in context, and though It certainly doesn't replace "The first US visit" , it's a nice complement, with a few moments never seen before (by me anyway).
Correct well spotted. Strawberry Fields is already in his head. Brilliant.
We have seen this before, in the Maysles Brothers film.
I just watched this documentary on Disney plus and absolutely LOVED IT, dont know why you bagged it
I actually enjoyed it more than I expected, although very little of the actual footavehas not been seen before. Long Tall Sally was the stand out momen. I also enjoyed the new Ringo clips.
Good review, Andrew. I just finished watching it, then tuned in to your review. I agree it was a bit of a mixed bag, but any new Beatles footage is a good thing. There were some lovely moments: Paul talking about the photograph exhibition (which took place in the Brooklyn Museum) and pointing out various details in the photos, watching Ringo simply enjoying himself wherever he was - in the hotels, in the clubs, or behind the drums, John playing the melodica (!), and George cutting up on the train. I'm sure I'll buy the physical DVD whenever it appears. By the way, George's hand on the shelf behind you and directly over your head, couldn't help but remind me of the hand over Paul's head on the Sgt. Pepper album cover.
Well done review. I look at the documentary from the perspective of what effect the Beatles had on America in '64 vs. what effect America had on the Beatles and their path. I think Scorsese and company are trying that angle due to the fact the other docs exist. But, I was expecting more of the Beatles' "journey" to and through America than was shown. I also expected more Paul and Ringo interview material since they both love to get nostalgic these days. I give it a B overall. Still it's Beatles content and who can argue with that? 🙂
Sometimes small things done wrong bother me… they should have used “Ferry Cross the Mersey” (not “ Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying”) over the Liverpool footage. Should have shown US “The Beatles Second Album” rather than the UK “With The Beatles” to illustrate the “You Really Got a Hold on Me” cover.
I thought this was FANTASTIC! (intro aside)
Simply put, there's not enough focus on this period of the band, and the stuff we do have is pretty old and often unavailable.
I find it hard to connect with the "electricity" of old Beatlemania documentaries with grainy DVD-quality footage, tinny audio etc. For the first time, this Doc gave me a feeling of being "close" to Beatlemania. The interviews of the young girls are wonderful, and I think it's good to appreicate the role that young girls and women played in taking the Beatles to the moon! This doc really showed how Cool the beatles were, and it's a gift to see the lads in such great quality in their primes.
I think the talkiing heads did add quite a bit of context. I love the talk about how black artists reacted to the Beatles. People are sometimes uncomfortable with talking about race when it comes to The Beatles, but this Doc shows how the Beatles stood out from other white artists by respecting the black roots of the genre and giving back to the culture. I believe it's also widely accepted that they called their own album "Rubber Soul" in part as a cheeky, self-derogatory nod at their brand of white boy soul.
I thought the intro was the worst part, and it made me cringe a bit. Im 25 and a Billie Eilish fan, and I found it totally out of place. However, the Smoky Robinson cover of Yesterday was stunning and made up for everything.
This doc paints a picture of a time, a place, and an incredible band. For a 100 minute doc, I think it is quite good.
I agree with your assessment. I actually teared up on some parts, like when Smokey was talking about how they covered You Really Got A Hold Of Me, a song he wrote. Race relations was always a big part of The Beatles history that was rarely talked about so it was refreshing to see them cover more of it in this film. I throughly enjoyed watching this. It really gave an introspective look into 1964. This film will help casual fans and people born after The Beatles were done to understand that it was more than just screaming girls. This film has great historical significance and better explains The Beatles in 1964 and how they became the greatest band.
Should have just cleaned up ""The First US Visit" and expanded it. I liked the more linear approach there showing the trip from start to finish also should have had the whole Washington show without any interruptions and no interviews. It should have followed Get Back in style with more straight plot and the rooftop concert in Get Back would've been the Washington show. In my opinion "The First US Visit" version is more superior sadly.
Hello Andrew, enjoyed your thoughts on this documentary. I woke up early to watch it this morning and I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the lack of Beatle scenes. I gave myself a few hours then re-watched it and this time I definitely enjoyed it more. It is interesting, hopefully new fans will learn how things were during that time. I try not to be too critical of what is now being released by Apple. Us older fans have just about seen everything there is to see and newer fans will benefit from this. Take care!
I did enjoy this documentary, though to be honest, this was merely an update of The First US Visit 20 years on. But what for me was worth watching it for was the live audio featured in this Doc. Looking at it now, this to me was a Documentary telling the story of The Beatles arrival in the US, so we are going to get footage of the fans and their excitement/mania, how the press covered their arrival as well as talking heads of those who lived through this time, and the memories of John, Paul, George and Ringo. One thing I did learn from this was of Jack Douglas who went to Liverpool as a struggling Musician, his story is incredible, thinking of how he eventually ended up working with John. If this does come out eventually on Blu ray/ DVD. Then let it be as a two disc release of both this and The First US Visit. As a Beatles Fan I will buy it.
I tried to be patient with the talking heads while waiting for the footage I really wanted to see. Overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit and it ended before I wanted it to. I plan on watching it again in a month or so. Thanks for your review.
Really enjoyed the documentary. Always great to see updated/remastered performance and music, and thought the focus on the reaction to the Beatles phenomena by fans, critics and other artists, especially Ronnie Spector, Smokey Robinson (his version of Yesterday was fantastic!) and The Isley Brother.
The Beatles reflections were typically funny, in the moment and insightful (especially John's final comments)
A very good, enjoyable and useful addition to Beatles lore.
I watched it today. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it brought a fresh look at the first USA visit.
Great footage, poorly used. Scorsese's doc. on Dylan was great because it brought you to a specific time in history and Dylan's career. This doc. fails to bring us there in some ways. For starters, the use of All My Loving over JFK's casket was a mood breaker for me. Later on, Smokey Robinson singing Yesterday in its entirety was to me completely out of place since the song wasn't even written until a year later..... I enjoyed the interviews and the footage of the fans and The Beatles were great. It's called The Beatles '64, the footage was, the doc. should've kept us there as well. I'll still recommend it.
Yesterday _may_ have started its life in France, prior to the first US visit. Not that it really matters, obviously.
Most of the full concert footage that survives is around on DVDs if you look for them (on ebay and other places). It's great stuff but that clearly is not the purpose of this documentary. I guess they didn't promote it right because it was not clearly stated that this was not a concert film at all .
DVDs of some of the Washington,DC concert are around, along with their set at the NME (New Musical Express) Poll-Winners concert on July 26, 1964.
The NME concert is great, with all sorts of amazing live performances (such as the Stones and the Dave Clark Five).
I think it’s a decent documentary and definitely worth watching. The archive footage has largely been seen before which is perfectly understandable. It was most unlikely that hours of unseen footage was going to be found unfortunately. However, in my opinion at least, it’s the cleanest and best sounding we’ve ever seen it before. Just compare the quality of the footage in The First US Visit & Anthology DVDs and it’s like seeing it ‘new’. Hats off to everyone involved in the restoration. I’m not really a fan of ‘talking heads’ and like you Andrew I agree some are better than others. Ronnie Spector deserves special mention. Sadly she’s passed now but as she’s featured here I’m wondering if this documentary was intended for release earlier than we’re getting it. Seems likely that Paul’s book was intended as a compliment to the documentary as well as the release of the US albums boxset. As an ‘entitled’ Beatles fan I will always want more. I’d like an edit that dispenses with the talking heads and just concentrates on all the Beatles footage and complete performances. Hopefully there will be future physical releases. A wee bit of a missed opportunity but enjoyable nonetheless. Billie Eilish probably added to try and entice the youngsters to watch. Not my favourite rendition of All My Loving! I’d best say no more on that 😂 I’m a second generation fan who grew up with the Beatles but had to wait until the 70s to buy my own records. My parents are in their 80s now and they thoroughly enjoyed the documentary. Great nostalgia for them. Dad was working in the US at this time and when locals heard his ‘English’, actually Scottish accent, he was frequently asked if he knew the Beatles! If only. Great review Andrew, all the best to you.
The cover of All My Loving at the beginning of the film is by Elaine Kim, a Korean RUclipsr, not Billie Eilish!
Thank you. I myself also thought it was Eilish before reading the credits, something Andrew should have done also before vociferating about her "most miserable voice" ...
No need for this. Gawd awful 2cents
No one needs anybody apart from the Beatles to sing anything on a Beatles documentary.
How on earth did Martin Scorsese allow this crap ?
The whole point about there being very little story in A Hard Day's Night is that it's a vehicle for the music. No story required, other than a basic framework for the songs.
I really enjoyed Beatles '64 on Disney plus very nice documentary glad i seen this movie hopefully we get a Washington DC concert on dvd and cd maybe Ed Sullivan and Miami Beach TV show too on dvd and cd i wish they would have put more of the concert footage Washington DC concert good quality sound and picture quality glad Disney plus and Apple gave us this amazing footage! Thanks Andrew great review
My expectations were not that high for this one.
I guess it would have been better to do a remaster of The First Us Visit with remixed audio.
Lovely review Andrew! I'll be watching this weekend. Re - headphones... they're actually been around since the early days of radio in the early 1900s, but originally developed in their more familiar guise for field radios of WW1. Headphones didn't become available for domestic use until the advent of stereo Hi-Fi's in the mid to late 1960s.
Yep, my late Great Uncle used headphones in WW1. My late Grandfathers had domestic headphones in the 20s, home made kits & radio sets were common at a time when radios were very expensive to buy.
I had some very basic headphones with my crystal radio in the '50s. Then Dave Clark (not the artist) headphones in the '60s.
I’m glad we got this doc, but it pales in comparison to The First U.S. Visit, especially the 2004 version. You’d expect to be cast back to 1964, but the talking heads totally killed that vibe. Also, not enough full performances I enjoyed your review, however. Happy Christmas season to you, my friend!
I thought the film was a mess. It jumped around from topic to topic without any real flow to it, as if they were just trying to find places to insert the talking head footage. The Maysles 1964 footage is brilliant and is fascinating viewing… which only highlights how subpar the rest of the film is. The Maysles’ First US Visit film is so much more successful in both telling the story of that time period and conveying the excitement of the Beatles… all without a single talking head to tell us the obvious. My fear is that this Disney documentary will now prevent First US Visit from ever getting a proper restoration and reissue in HD, which would be a real shame.
The restoration looks amazing respecting the grain of the films, they do a very small justice with Black Rock & Roll American Music rather than white influencing British Rock, that was THE direction that they totally missed to expand and to teach to a whole new generation and turn into a series. The Beatles where and still is an important part of a Political Revolution against abuse and control against the Working Class of this World. I really Enjoy it!
Hi mate great review. However I think I will keep my original DVD "The First US Visit" I think on this disc you get 83mins constant footage of the Boys.
Transistor radios sometimes included a single -- mono -- "earpiece".
A usually awkward hard plastic pointy one. I remember them. Not in 1964 though. I was just a wee bit busy getting out of my mother's womb on feb 7..😊
@@MrBallynally2 Yes, pretty much that. I to this day don't use earbuds because uncomfortable.
Excellent work Andrew. I thought there was a lot of new footage from the Maysles filming I’d not seen before which was great. Although some of it quite trivial and can see why it was cut. The interview back home also had a bit right at the start if not seen. I think a bit like PJ in GB, they’d minimised repeating known clips where feasible.
I liked it. Even liked “the talking heads”. I didn’t mind the fans telling their stories as it’s a different perspective. My absolute favorite was Jack Douglas. I hope that wasn’t the one you were meaning as I feel his story was the best of the fans stories in it.
Agree. I thought the ‘talking heads’ added a useful perspective .
I wasn't talking about Jack Douglas, I enjoyed hearing his story and would like to hear more of it, although I'm not convinced it was entirely relevant to this documentary.
@I would watch a documentary just based on his story. It was great! Especially the full circle moment.
Great review, as always! I'm really fond of your style - clear, logical and informative. I can even say - somewhat jokingly - that I don't really need to watch the real thing after watching this :)
One thing, though. I have seen John's melodica bit elsewhere, and I'm not sure this is where the intro to Strawberry Fields originated. It always felt to me like a sequence of rather obvious notes to be played on the instrument like this. It was Paul who played it on the studio version after all and he might have just been following John's guitar chords pattern. But I don't think we will ever know anyway. You might as well be right about this.
Good to hear your thoughts and a well balanced review. I'm not a Disney subscriber and not sure this would convince me to be one. Not a fan of too many talking heads like on Eight Days A Week. However I will dig out The First US Visit on DVD and rewatch that as it's been years since I last saw it.
Andrew , you are the first person that has ever referenced what sounds like the intro to strawberry fields by John on melodica ! I’ve always thought that too !
Although I'd love to claim credit I can't as that theory has been out there for many years!
@ first I’ve heard it ! ( but always thought it ) a crazy thought - you’d have thought this tune wouldn’t have even been on johns Radar in 1964 !
I'm in old age now. I was young in the 1960s. I loved the Beatles. I would have liked this to have been shown on the big screen at the cinema.
I have no interest whatsoever in audio or video streaming. I'm a first generation Beatles fan (age 68) and a lifetime collector of physical product. After hearing your description of this documentary, I don't feel that I'm missing anything. I'm content with my DVD of "The First U.S. Visit". I don't like the direction that Apple Corpse has been going in in the past 2 years. They're snubbing the older fans.
I viewed Paul’s photos at the NPG in London - several times. Amazing! Although he did need some training in camera settings etc 😄📷
Well summed up Andrew. Whilst I did enjoy, I just felt it’s a missed opportunity, it could have been better done. Less Talking Heads, More Beatles.
@Dennis As Emily Litella herself once misguidedly-opined: “I LOVE Talking Heads, as David Byrne was a real hoot, but what have they to do with The Beatles?!..
Enjoyed your review Andrew will catch up over the weekend keep up the good work.
This sounds very similar to the Eight Days A Week snoozefest so I won't go out of my way to see it (I don't have Disney Plus). These films aren't for the superfans. We've seen all this stuff. They are for the casual fans or the newbies. I'm sure they will enjoy it.
This is nothing like the Ron Howard movie and so very well done and moving. Loved it
@@johnurban7333it’s exactly like the Eight Days a Week doc. Talking heads over talking heads
This one actually features 17 minutes of previously unreleased footage. The restoration is generally good looking too. The AI upscaling is a bit noticeable at times, but it doesn’t look animated in the same way that Get Back does; the natural grain is kept intact. A joy to watch.
Hated the cover of All my Loving and saw no point, loved hearing Strawberry Fields in embryonic form, interesting to see the lunacy of the situation they were in. I enjoyed it and will watch it again. I also liked the Get Back films
Thanks Andrew. I’m shocked to say this, but I think I’ll pass on watching this film. I was unimpressed by the trailer because of how much time they spent on irrelevant celebrity interviews, and don’t think I can stomach a lot of asinine talking heads clogging up the runtime. They should have learned their lesson from Eight Days a Week.
It is hard to believe the Beatles org wouldn't want to really get a doc of Beatlemania right after the abysmal Eight Days a Week movie. The Shea Stadium tag was the only worthwhile section. But it looks like they fell short once again. I don't intend to see it
Just watched it. Would have lime more of Ed and the 1st concert. Less interviews. Good but could have been great. Fans and Press articles were good to see.
I enjoyed the film. Loved seeing the Beatles soaking in this alien culture that they found themselves in the centre of. The concert footage was brilliant, and judging by the credits, Peter Jackson's Mal software was involved to some degree.
I listened to the accompanying soundtrack album, now that was disappointing. I'd hoped we'd get some cleaned up live recordings. But sadly not. We got remasters and mixes available elsewhere. I think that was a golden opportunity missed.
Haven’t been able to give it a watch yet, but I will say that I feel that most of the value from these kinds of documentaries comes from the unseen footage. The interviews are nice and all, but I really watch for the unseen or newly cleaned footage.
There is not that much "unseen" footage, most of it has been seen for some decades alteady.
Is there another Disney plus? I have an account with Disney Plus and don't see any options for Beatles 64.
Have you tried just typing Beatles in to the search bar? It should show this as well as Get Back and Let It Be.
Great review, Andrew, and I agree. Lots of great footage, and a lot of missed opportunities and talking heads of varying relevance. Would have been nice to get updates from fans interviewed in 1964, but after the Adrienne from Brooklyn thing I guess they just didn't want to spend time on tracking people down. And why include the clip of Paul reacting to the radio announcement about a poetry reading and not even bother to include the punchline? ("We ain't written no poetry!")
While this would have been better as an expanded multi-part series, it's still worth watching, and I hope at some point we get to see and hear even more spruced up concert recordings.
Good review Andrew, and yes I agree with your review. The problem with Scorsese is he’s always putting actors and directors in his documentaries and for me just doesn’t fit in anywhere. Nice to see but would rather have had just The Beatles in it. I always get annoyed when all the interviews go on about how great the Beatles are and were but we know this, it’s just cringe nowadays. All the interviews weren’t needed
Someone else here mentioned that they didn’t like the Jamie Bernstein segments, but I did. It would’ve been a missed opportunity not to hear from at least one or two of those teenage girls about what they thought of their actions/feelings 60 years later. Plus, it’s Leonard Bernstein’s daughter so we get some insight into what her father thought about it all. Leonard Bernstein was a central figure in U.S. popular culture at the time, so his opinions carried weight.
Yeah, I wish there was more music in it, as well. We know that there's a lot of Washington footage available. I'm wondering if it just isn't up to the quality necessary for good restoration. And, like you, I hope we get a DVD or Blu-Ray release. We old guys do like our physical media!
The documentary would have been much better if they had restored and used the footage from the documentary The First Us Visit with the new interviews with Paul and Ringo added. I don't know if it's me but i thought that the sound of the Washington Coliseum concert had a little too much reverb added.
The first concert was a Carnegie Hall the evening before the first "Ed Sullivan" show. Then they went from New York, to Washington, DC, and then to Miami Florida. Then back home.
@@jnagarya519 I don't think that's the case. I believe it was Ed Sullivan NYC (9th), then Washington (11th), then back to Carnegie Hall (12th) then fly to Miami on 13th.
I just watched it and as I predicted it's just the same old story everybody knows and love. The only highlight for me was the interview with Smokey Robinson and his performance of Yesterday.
Hi Andrew, great review and analysis on the Beates '64 movie. I thought the movie was very well done and I would give it a 5-star rating. Scorese did a great job of showing the hysteria that surrounded the Beatles. The recent interviews with Paul and Ringo were one of the many good parts of the documentary. Especially seeing a recent clip of Ringo playing the drum kit. It was also odd but profound when there was a short interview of John and Yoko during their hippie days.
Being a long time Beatles fan since I was a kid in 1969, I have some other thoughts about the movie.
When they showed John Kennedy at the very start, they could have spent another couple minute's defining the political psyche during the Kennedy Administration. Such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also, American Advisers being sent to Vietnam. But I think the main purpose of showing Kennedy was the hope he brought to the United States.
Oddly enough, what struck me was George seemed like such a nice guy. Well behaved and great quips. an outstanding individual. Just a tremendous young George Harriso. He was really outgoing and happy.
Maybe there was too much of showing the Beatles in the Hotel rooms and traveling in close quarters. There was a lot of close-up shots. I kind of felt like I was stuck in the room with them. It got a little tedious to me.
They could have spent 20 minutes on the making of the Hard Days Night Movie and album.
It would have been fun to see their fans or the Beatletes singing "we love you Beatles, o yes we do."
Overall, the Beatles "64 was as good as I expected. I really showed what Beatlemania was like instead of just a portrayal. This is a good contrast compared with the Get Back and the Let it be Movies.
Hopefully there will put out more documents such as Beatles "65, "66, "67, "68, and "69. Most of these years with the Beatles was shown in the Beatles Anthology DVD. But it seemed a bit one sided because there was not a narrator. Also there were not any interviews other than in the Beatle's inner circle.
I have "The Beatles First US Visit" on Laser Disc. How is this different?
A lot different in image and sound!
Excellent review, Andrew. And your honesty is appreciated. I am a huge Beatles fan. Love them. But this new doc seems to be: 1. A lot of what we have seen previously. 2. The "talking heads" user too much yet again. 3.Billie Eilish in this movie of 1964 and her depressing version of a joyful song, i do not get at all.