The Beatles on Film

by tmamone
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September 09, 2009

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In celebration of the release of The Beatles: Rock Band this Wednesday, let's look at some of the best--and not-so-best--Beatles movies

A Hard Day's Night (1964)

Over 40 years later, this is still one of the best rock and roll movies in the world! The film—shot in a cinema verite style—follows the Beatles dodge rabid fans, uptight managers, and clueless industry insiders—and keep an eye on Paul’s troublemaking grandfather at the same time! Songs include the title track, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” and “If I Fell.”

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Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

After their manager Brian Epstein died, the Beatles tried to mange themselves, starting with directing their own movie “Magical Mystery Tour.” The premise of this movie is four or five magicians who live up in the clouds transform an ordinary bus trip to a “magical mystery tour.” Unfortunately, the final product ended up being a badly edited acid trip than a movie, and it was a critical disaster. Time’s been pretty good, though, and Paul likes to say how Steven Spielberg was influenced by the film. Includes the title track, “The Fool on the Hill,” and “I am the Walrus” among others.

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Let It Be (1970)

Since they signed a three-picture deal with MGM but didn’t want to do another “Hard Day’s Night,” the Beatles opted to do a documentary about the making of their new album. Unfortunately, it ended up being more about the band falling apart. But it does include the concert they did on the roof of Apple Studios. Songs include the title track, “Get Back,” and “The Long and Winding Road.”

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Across the Universe (2007)

After the atrocious “Sgt. Pepper” movie, making a musical based on the songs of the Beatles seemed like artistic suicide. Fortunately Julie Taymor’s musical exceeded expectations. Even Paul and Ringo loved it. So did John and George’s widows, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. Includes “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “I am the Walrus,” and “All You Need is Love.”

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Help! (1965)

The follow-up to “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Help!” is a surreal comedy/adventure that’s so over-the-top, you can’t help be love it. In this movie, The Beatles are chased all over the world by both a religious cult and a mad scientist who are over Ringo’s ruby ring. Includes the title track, “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,” and “Ticket to Ride.”

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Yellow Submarine (1968)

The Beatles didn’t really want to do another movie, so they didn’t really have much to do with “Yellow Submarine,” except contribute a few leftovers from the “Sgt. Pepper” sessions. In their first, and only, animated movie, the Beatles must save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies. After being shown a rough cut, the Beatles loved the movie so much that they agreed to appear in a live-action segment at the end. Songs include the title track, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” and “All You Need is Love.”

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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)

Like “Yellow Submarine,” the Beatles didn’t have anything to do with this movie except they wrote the songs. Unlike “Yellow Submarine,” this movie is a total disaster. The plot in nonexistent, the acting is terrible, and the songs are brutally butchered by Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees. Avoid this movie!

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