
Following the touring band from Liverpool to France, the United States, Australia, and many more destinations, the film practically seats you on the experiential rollercoaster of being world-renowned and adored by millions.
This is achieved through the use of
original images of Beatle performances and several recent interviews with Paul
McCartney, Ringo Starr, and many other artists. 'Beatlemania' is shown to be more than a mere music phenomenon; it was a wave of popularity without
precedence, encompassing adoration for the foursome's style, attitude, haircut – in short, everything
the Beatles represented – that amounted to complete hysteria.
The
constant scenes of screaming, crying, and fainting fans gives the viewer a glance of the band’s lifestyle during the
touring years, and the film presents the dramatic extent at which the fame peaked, with even the police forces feeling overwhelmed. But the humour and wit of the band during amusing original interview
footage reflects their nonchalance regarding their celebrity
status: 'It’s not culture,' they say. 'It’s a good laugh.'
The strong
camaraderie between Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Ringo is presented as more
than friendship; the Beatles were brothers, united in all the decisions and strengthened
by their unique experience of celebrity that only they could relate to at the
time. Howard also shows the band's relationships that would shape their career, such as with manager Brian Epstein who effectively tailored the initial image of the Beatles.
The film also offers more than expected by tackling the issues of the time. The Beatles' rise is contextualised historically and geopolitically; from John F. Kennedy’s
murder to the struggle of the Civil Rights’ Movement, crucial
events are related to The Beatles and their performances. This offers an
in-depth vision of not only the band’s evolution, but the challenges they faced
and the controversies surrounding them.
Communication faux-pas, such as John
Lennon’s comparison of The Beatles to Jesus, are explained from
an insider’s perspective. The audience witnesses the build-up in expectations
and mounting pressure suffered by the group's members, and it's impossible not to feel further sympathy and love for the four-piece.
Overall, Eight Days a Week is a must-see for all Beatles maniacs, and a worthwhile watch for those just curious of the band’s thrilling
journey through the 1960s. The inclusion of unknown anecdotes and clever use
of primary sources and interviews makes this a vital documentary that will certainly entertain its
audience.
What | The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years film review |
Where | Various Locations | MAP |
Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
When |
15 Sep 16 – 15 Nov 16, Times vary |
Price | £determined by cinema |
Website | Click here for more details |