The Fab Four's famous first foray into film is considered one of the most innovative and refreshing music movies ever made. Celebrating the phenomenon of Beatlemania in 1964 and capturing John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in their electrifying element, A Hard Day's Night is a wildly irreverent journey through one day in the life of arguably the world's greatest rock'n'roll act. Driven by madcap humour, timeless pathos and an irresistible sense of adventure, join The Beatles as they travel from their home town of Liverpool to London for an all-important TV performance. Along the way the band are not only mobbed by obsessed fans, but tasked with rescuing Paul's mischievous grandfather (Wilfrid Brambell) from moments of high peril as well as keeping an eye out for a wandering Ringo who manages to disappear just before the concert. Nominated for two Academy Awards, featuring all-time favourites 'A Hard Day's Night', 'All My Loving', Can't Buy Me Love', 'I Should Have Known Better', 'She Loves You', 'Tell Me Why' and many others, directed with flair by Richard Lester, A Hard Day's Night is a lively trip back to a fun era of sensational music marking the true birth of British Beatlemania.
Review by Bo Nicholson @ InFocus Movie Reviews
Reporter: “What would you call that hairstyle you’re wearing?”
George: “Arthur”.
1964; Beatlemania has taken hold of the
world! John, Paul, George and yes, even
Ringo, were household names across the globe.
Executive types could smell an opportunity to make some money and thus,
The Beatles became movie stars.
The start sets the tone, that classic,
sustained G7 chord of the titular song, accompanied by scenes of the band
making a run for it from some manic fans. Within 10 seconds we saw George
stumble over (genuinely), get back up and keep running, laughing all the
while. In those 10 seconds we know that
the film will have a glorious soundtrack, a sense of euphoria and ad-lib humour
of good nature.
Highlights abound; such as the scene where
the boys are separated during a series of press interviews and give humorous
answers to condescending questions, or when the boys escape the daily grind and
run amok in a field to the tune of Can’t
Buy Me Love (George: “Sorry we hurt
your field, Mister”). Beneath it all
is about as true a ‘day in the life’ story we’ve seen based on a band at the
height of their popularity.
Yes, this is certainly an easier watch if
you are already a Beatles fan, but the good natured humour and subtle criticism
of the older generation desperately clinging to a way of life that is soon to
slip away from them, means that this is a film that deserves to be watched
regardless. A Hard Day’s Night is a British comedy classic, an absolute gem. A must see!
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