The Beatles - The Making of A Hard Day's Night

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
A Hard Day's Night is "among the five best movie musicals I've ever seen," says Roger Ebert, "right up there with Singin' in the Rain." That ringing endorsement of the most famous film from rock's most famous group, the Beatles, is only one of the testimonials recorded in You Can't Do That: The Making of "A Hard Day's Night." This engrossing 1994 documentary is hosted by Phil Collins, who actually appeared in the original among a crowd of frenzied teenagers at the theater where the songs were filmed. There's plenty of behind-the-scenes footage, and producer Walter Shenson, director Richard Lester, and screenwriter Alun Owen, among others, contribute comments, which are occasionally punctuated by brief clips from the film (à la HBO's 1990s series Dream On). Micky Dolenz, Roger McGuinn, and Beatles fans are also interviewed, and George Harrison's voice is heard briefly. Filmed at the height of Beatlemania shortly after their 1964 trip to the U.S., A Hard Day's Night was conceived as an excuse to release a soundtrack album. But while nine songs were written, only seven were used in the film, and for many fans the chief item of interest here will be the inclusion of one unused performance, "You Can't Do That," shown partially during the documentary, then in its entirety as an epilogue. --David Horiuchi
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The Beatles: The Making Of A Hard Day's Night
Director: David Leaf ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000B6WXQ2 |
Product Description
DESCRIPTION: A 30th anniversary retrospective of the movie that launched the Beatles to stardom on the silver screen. Phil Collins hosts this documentary which examines the making of "A Hard Day's Night", including behind the scenes footage and stories, interviews, and much more. For many fans the chief item of interest here will be the inclusion of one performance, "You Can't Do That" which was NOT included on the original soundtrack album. It is shown partially during the documentary, and then in its entirety as an epilogue. SUMMARY: Thirty years after A Hard Day's Night, its producer, director, writer and others describe its making. United Artists Records came to Walter Shenson, asking him to produce a movie so UA could issue a soundtrack album. Shenson signed Lester to direct, and they got the Beatles to agree to star. Shenson sent Owen to Dublin to spend time with the Fab Four; from this came a script built around their being prisoners of their own success. Phil Collins, himself an extra on A Hard Day's Night, hosts this examination of a seminal film: what was ad-libbed, why was it a hit, what was its influence on other movies, and how did it define the way the public viewed each Beatle for years to come? [IMDB - J. Hailey] DVD FEATURES: This officially licensed release from South Korea is NTSC All-Region (Code 0) in 4:3 Full Screen display with Dolby Digital Sound. The documentary is in ENGLISH with optional (removable) English, French, Spanish and Korean subtitles. Includes: Text/Photo Galleries; Profile - Cast Members; Discography - Phil Collins; Biography - Phil Collins; Trivia Quiz.
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The Beatles DVD Collector's Set
Starring: Beatles , John Lennon , Paul McCartney , Ringo Starr , and George Harrison Director: Richard Lester Manufacturer: MPI Home Video / Apple ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004U0ZP Release Date: 2000-08-08 |
Amazon.com
This four-disc set includes two feature films and two documentaries (all previously available on DVD). Help! (1965), in which a religious sect is in pursuit of a sacrificial ring stuck on Ringo's finger, is a broad spoof of the spy flicks of the time, with James Bond-like themes and locales. Songs include "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and "Ticket to Ride." Only two years later but strikingly different in mood and tone, Magical Mystery Tour (1967) is chiefly a series of psychedelic music videos, including "Fool on the Hill," "I Am the Walrus," and "Blue Jay Way," loosely organized around a plot of a bus trip through the English countryside.The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit is an 83-minute black-and-white documentary by acclaimed directing brothers Albert and David Maysles that captures the group's trip to the U.S. in February 1964. It includes plenty of songs as performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, of course, as well as footage of the band riding the train or sitting in their hotel room watching television coverage of themselves. A subsequent performance in Washington, D.C., suffers from grainier footage and spotty microphones, but still captures the frenzy of the fans.
You Can't Do That!: The Making of "A Hard Day's Night" is an hourlong documentary that traces the creation of the historic 1964 film. Hosted by Phil Collins, who appeared in the original among a crowd of screaming teenagers, the film features extensive clips and interviews with those involved with the movie (though George Harrison is the only Beatle whose voice is heard). A highlight is "You Can't Do That," a performance that was cut from the original film. Obviously, a perfect DVD set would include A Hard Day's Night itself, but rights issues have kept it out of circulation. --David Horiuchi
Description
The Beatles DVD Collector's Set includes:
Help!
Nominated for two British Academy Awards, this 1965 theatrical feature takes the Beatles on a worldwide comedy adventure. After a magical ring gets stuck on Ringo's finger, a group of oriental mystics and a mad scientist stop at nothing to try to get it back. Special features include a fully restored print from the film's original negative, a digitally remastered soundtrack, 15 minutes of bonus footage, Spanish and French audio tracks, and English, Spanish, and French subtitles. Songs include "Help!", "You're Gonna Lose That Girl," and "Ticket to Ride."
Color, approx. 90 minutes, Dolby Digital
Magical Mystery Tour
A musical film fantasy that follows the Beatles on a psychedelic bus tour along the English countryside. It made its British debut on Christmas day 1967. Special DVD features include a fully restored print, a digitally remastered soundtrack, bonus newsreels, a history of the project, and English, Spanish, and French subtitles. Songs include "Magical Mystery Tour," "I Am the Walrus," and "Fool on the Hill."
Color, approx. 54 minutes, Dolby Digital
The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit
An historic, musical ride back in time as the Beatles come to America for the first time on February 7, 1964 and appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. Special features include 13 Beatles performances, a fully restored print, a digitally remastered soundtrack, a Beatles chronology, discography, and other statistics, and English, Spanish, and French subtitles. Songs include "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," "Till There Was You," and "Twist and Shout."
Black and white, approx. 83 minutes, Dolby Digital
You Can't Do That: The Making of "A Hard Day's Night"
The extraordinary evolution of the Academy Award-nominated film that convinced the world that the Beatles could be as influential and memorable as the music they sang. Hosted by Phil Collins. Special features include cast profiles, A Hard Day's Night trivia quiz, biography and discography for Phil Collins, and English, Spanish, and French subtitles.
Color and black and white, approx. 65 minutes, Dolby Digital
Customer Reviews:
"For Those of [Us] in the Cheaper Seats, Clap Your Hands" [for an Affordable Beatles' Collection].......2006-10-16
missing Movies.......2006-01-23
Fans of the wonderful Beatles will be ecstatic!.......2004-01-25
"A Hard Day's Night" is a great Beatles movie and it definitely deserved a "Making Of." The Beatles are very entertaining in it and in this VHS as well. John, Paul, George, and Ringo! Aaah!
The reason why I added a four star is because I would have liked more of the Beatles. After all, they are the main cast. But then, I do understand why they didn't have them in this, because they weren't there at the time and they probably didn't have much of their behind-the-scenes stuff. Also another reason is because I think only a Beatles fan would love it. (Ahem, that reason leads me to the fact that tells me that only Beatles fans would get this...) Some parts were rather boring, but that's the only complaint I have.
My favorite part in this VHS is Abbey Road Studios where the Beatles are composing their songs for the film ("A Hard Day's Night"). John and Ringo are hilarous in it. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Haha!
All in all, I enjoyed most of this one hour (and 5 minutes) "Making Of" with the writer, producer, director, and cast members of "A Hard Day's Night." I definitely recommend it for Beatles fans.
The Best Available DVD offering of the Beatles.......2002-07-27
Help! is essential for the true Beatles fan & collector. Making of AHDN is loads of fun, as well. A nice preview for the upcoming release of that cinematic classic this fall. Yes, Mystery Tour is tough to watch, though the Walrus Video established an MTV type years later. Love to have Let It Be out on DVD, as well, but no signs of that just yet.
Where's the rest?.......2002-05-10
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The Beatles - The Making of A Hard Day's Night
Starring: Julie Harris (II) , Peter Noone , Roger McGuinn , Brian Epstein , and Chris Hillman Manufacturer: MPI Home Video / Apple ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: 6305073694 Release Date: 1998-07-28 |
Amazon.com
A Hard Day's Night is "among the five best movie musicals I've ever seen," says Roger Ebert, "right up there with Singin' in the Rain." That ringing endorsement of the most famous film from rock's most famous group, the Beatles, is only one of the testimonials recorded in You Can't Do That: The Making of "A Hard Day's Night." This engrossing 1994 documentary is hosted by Phil Collins, who actually appeared in the original among a crowd of frenzied teenagers at the theater where the songs were filmed. There's plenty of behind-the-scenes footage, and producer Walter Shenson, director Richard Lester, and screenwriter Alun Owen, among others, contribute comments, which are occasionally punctuated by brief clips from the film (à la HBO's 1990s series Dream On). Micky Dolenz, Roger McGuinn, and Beatles fans are also interviewed, and George Harrison's voice is heard briefly. Filmed at the height of Beatlemania shortly after their 1964 trip to the U.S., A Hard Day's Night was conceived as an excuse to release a soundtrack album. But while nine songs were written, only seven were used in the film, and for many fans the chief item of interest here will be the inclusion of one unused performance, "You Can't Do That," shown partially during the documentary, then in its entirety as an epilogue. --David HoriuchiCustomer Reviews:
Inside story.......2005-09-21
HOP ON BOARD THE BEATLE TRAIN! NEXT STOP, 1964!.......2002-03-27
In watching this video, one gets the feeling of riding on the early Beatle train, enjoying the natural banter among the world's most famous foursome. One gets treated to some rare film footage and the song, "I'll Cry Instead" is included as a bonus treat as it was not in the original movie, "A Hard Day's Night." Following the Beatles' movements during the early part of 1964 brings all the madcap, pure fun back to the forefront.
I love the way each individual Beatle emerges; the differences in interests, temperament and approach shine through on each song and scene. This is such a treat!
This is truly a classic. In watching this, you will be shaking your bangs, dancing and singing along with the Beatles! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!
A FUN GLIMPSE BEHIND THE BEATLE CURTAIN.......2002-03-25
Each Beatle has his distinct brand of humor and input and it is just this individuality that makes this such a treat. As much as I enjoy "A Hard Day's Night," I find this an added bonus because one can index the songs as well as follow the Beatles as they prepare for their very first movie.
This movie will have you shaking your bangs, singing Beatle songs and shouting out a hearty YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! Ideal for any Beatle themed shindig. I LOVE IT!
You Can't Do That is on newer pressings.......2001-01-26
Later pressings have the outtake as described in the description.
Great footage of the early Beatles!.......2000-08-23
What makes this DVD all the better is that it indexes the songs so that you can play just the songs, without all the documentary footage. Of course, you do have to skip ahead to the beginning of each chapter in order to do this, but at least you don't have to fast forward or rewind to get to the next song.
For me, the Ed Sullivan footage alone is worth the price of admission.
DVD:
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