The Beatles Movies

A detailed Summary of The Beatles Movies

If there was a time capsule that let the people of the future see what shaped the culture around the world in the 20th century there would be a few people who would be on the consensus list. Making up a part of that capsule would be the musical group "The Beatles". The group was founded out of Liverpool England in the early nineteen-sixties. This group with members consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr made its indention on popular culture with unparalleled levels of musical acclaim and fan adoration. Although they sold millions of records and compiled an impressive list of musical achievements their success can be attributed to their lesser-known influence in their film careers. They starred in a comedic-documentary-style film entitled "A Hard Day's Night" before they reached the levels of success that led to the term of "Beatlemania". The films success led to the popularity of the band, which lead to their success in the musical realm which gave them the power to influence the world's culture. Their influence of the Beatles film career changed the way music is seen, and they way film is seen. All this might have not been possible if they did not venture in their film car

The Beatles now were on top of the world as they were welcomed to hysteric crowds in their playing venues. The successfulness of A Hard Day's Night enabled the Beatles to influence other musical acts in making films, and television related performance. The BBC invited the Beatles, resulting from their first film success to broadcast via a global satellite one of their concerts, which was eventually seen by 200 million people. The power from the box office receipts and television exhibition rights, "they also facilitated, to vary degrees, the sales of a range of tie-in products"(Hanke, 29). They sold soundtracks to their films, sheet music, gift books and other novelty type accessories that would keep the Beatles in the mind of Beatles fans. This type of marketing led to the mass-marketing type promotions, that is common among mainstream releases. Before their was Star Wars action figures being sold, their were Beatles dolls being sold. The Beatles changed the ways the film producers make money. For the most part, the producers solely depended on the box office receipts. The Beatles destroyed that notion proving that a film can make money of its soundtrack, and other promotional tools.

Their film career began was not intended as a pipeline for the Beatles success but a desire from the newly formed group to work with an admired director. The Beatles had the unusual right to have powerful choices over the finalized script and director. They ended up working with director Richard Lester, who directed a highly successful comedic sketch show called The Goons. "It was evident that Lester incorporated his successful style and incorporated it into the Beatles comedic skills as he created a fast, innovative, entertaining film"(Davies, 12). "Everything is just right in this film- the music, the performances, the fresh sharp direction. They defined their persona during that film"(Sandahl, 59). One critic, Bosley Crowther also gave high regards to the film regardless of the group's 'bubble gum' image, saying that the film was "sophisticated" and it's "rapid-fire" innovative tactics, were as important to rock films as Citizen Kane was to the dramatic film"(Hanke, 9). The critical success helped out the Beatles as an artist and moneymaking item, because in some cases, a fan base is limited if the critical circles do not revere them.

The Beatles were at the height of the career when 1967 rolled around. They were touring more, and being on numerous television appearances, which was burning them in out in some eyes. They capitalized on this by making the documentary style film Magical Mystery Tour along with the soundtrack. This was another important step into the

With a retrospective of their films, it is unknown if the Beatles would have been as successful if they would not have done films. It is impossible to deny the importance and innovations that the Beatles films did for music and the music industry. The Beatles had their popularity explode after the release of their first film, and as their last film ended, it summed up many ideas, influences, and styles that the Beatles signified. They definitely would not have made as much money without film, and they helped out current musical acts that take advantage of pop culture status. They might have created the music video, but if they did not, they sure paved the way. They might have created the artistic musician, who is a continuous trendsetter, which allows them to be in the limelight ala Madonna. Regardless of their great music, the greatness of the Beatles would have never been realized without their film career.

innovation for the film community. The Beatles showed that they had control and stylistic freedom and made the innovative turn to animation. It was a true 'long and winding road' coming from the free cinema roots and documentary style roots to the animation format. This film was innovative in it's own right, in which it basically created the music video as we know it.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Day's Night, Music Television, Yellow Submarine, Beatles Beatles, Star Wars, Help Films, Mystery Tour, Richard Lester, Citizen Kane, Ringo Starr, hard day's, hard day's night, day's night, film career, magical mystery, magical mystery tour, mystery tour, music video, career film, beatles allowed, money film, career beatles, film magical mystery, yellow submarine 1968, box office receipts,

Approximate Word count = 2676
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Movies