I have been a big Beatles fan since I was a young boy. When the Fab Four played at Shea Stadium in New York City on August 15 1965, I would have been 6-years old. Even then I used to sing along knowing all the words to every song.
I have seen many documentaries on the Beatles and thought I knew all there was about their life as the world’s biggest ever pop & rock band.
Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer had the full blessing of Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, Yoko Ono and George’s widow Olivia Harrison.
The film takes us chronologically from first appearances in the Cavern Club right up to their last commercial concert in Candlestick Park, San Francisco USA in 1966 and beyond with a trip down memory lane; with their actual final live performance together on top of the Apple Building in London in January 1969.
Howard and Grazer have brought the audience new footage (much of which they accumulate curtesy of the fans that were at the events) and some interesting insights into the Beatles relationship and ethics. Particularly in their unity in refusing to go on stage at the concert in Jacksonville Florida where the seating was segregated between the Black and White audiences.
This was an extremely risky move for the Beatles at a time when racism was a big issue in the 60’s in many southern states but the authorities relented and not only was the concert integrated but this stand by the group ensued that the integration continued in all future concerts.
Also with the massive advances in technology Howard brought in record producer Giles Martin (Son of George Martin) to amplify the groups vocals at some of the USA stadium concerts where the boys admitted not being able to hear themselves sing due to the non-stop screams from the adoring fans.
Ringo joked saying “I could only see these arses in front of me shaking and had to guess when the song was about to finish.”
The film reminds us how the boys had individual personalities and each of them could hold their own in the interview stakes with a witty response to the press. But they never got nasty as Eddie Izzard says in an interview “They gave good natured replies.”
The group went on to tour and conquer the world but by the time they played what was to be their last major concert in San Francisco, things had got out of control and the enjoyment had gone from the live gigs.
As Paul McCartney says in the opening line of this film “By the end it became complicated but at the beginning things were really simple.”
Even though they made the decision to stop touring in 1966, the music still continued in the studio years and some of the best creativity was yet to come.
This is a film that will be enjoyed by all age groups young and old.
Ron Howard has made this documentary a labour of love and it’s really a celebration of the phenomenon that was The Beatles and how it was all about the music. So don’t expect a ‘Warts and all’ movie.
A terrific insight to a unique time in our history. Quite an emotional journey!
In cinemas now
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