A Hard Day's Night

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The Fab Four from Liverpool--John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr--in their first movie. Nobody expected A Hard Day's Night to be much more than a quick exploitation of a passing musical fad, but when the film opened it immediately seduced the world--even the stuffiest critics fell over themselves in praise (highbrow Dwight Macdonald called it "not only a gay, spontaneous, inventive comedy but it is also as good cinema as I have seen for a long time"). Wisely, screenwriter Alun Owen based his script on the Beatles' actual celebrity at the time, catching them in the delirious early rush of Beatlemania: eluding rampaging fans, killing time on trains and in hotels, appearing on a TV broadcast. American director Richard Lester, influenced by the freestyle French New Wave and British Goon Show humor, whips up a delightfully upbeat circus of perpetual motion. From the opening scene of the mop tops rushing through a train station mobbed by fans, the movie rarely stops for air. Some of the songs are straightforwardly presented, but others ("Can't Buy Me Love," set to the foursome gamboling around an empty field) soar with ingenuity. Above all, the Beatles express their irresistible personalities: droll, deadpan, infectiously cheeky. Better examples of pure cinematic joy are few and far between. --Robert Horton

Description

In 1964, the Beatles had just recently exploded onto the American scene with their debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The group's first feature, the Academy Award-nominated "A Hard Day's Night," offered fans their first peek into a day in the life of the Beatles and served to establish the Fab Four on the silver screen, as well as to inspire the music video format. Songs: I'll Cry Instead, A Hard Day's Night, I Should've Known Better, Can't Buy Me Love, If I Fell, And I Love Her, I'm Happy Just to Dance with You, Ringo's Theme (This Boy), Tell Me Why, Don't Bother Me, I Wanna Be Your Man, All My Lovin', She Loves You.

Customer Reviews:

Great Beatles Comedy.......2007-09-01

I guess you would have to love this movie if you are a Beatles fan. It really takes you back to a time when movies were very wholesome and fun. The humor is a little goofy, but that whats makes it so enjoyable. It is a great film that the whole family can enjoy. Definately check this one out if you are looking for a very different film then what we have today.

A Hard Day's Night is all right!!!.......2007-08-18

What a movie! 88 minutess of pure Beatlemania in a DVD such as this. I enjoyed watching this movie after last seeing it in over 20 years. What memories. I thought the DVD did tribute with interviews with the people behind the scenes. I just wished the trailers would be in this collection. All in all, it is a good price to enjoy a piece of movie fun with The Fab Four!

Striking the fire.......2007-08-09

After their first visit to the U.S. and three appearances on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, the brains behind The Beatles, one Mr. Brian Epstein, decided to strike the fire while it was hot. In doing so, he created a phenomenon that few bands have ever witnessed or experienced other than The Beatles. "A Hard Day's Night" was the result. With this movie (in black & white) and the album release, he created a marketing plan that is still being used by many today. This movie gives the viewer a supposed look into the lives of the Beatles before and up to a televison performance. No doubt, these dudes were being seriously chased in real life, and this movie gives us a look at the madness from their perspective. If you've never seen this, watch it, you just may learn something. And while it's from a time of different attitudes and a simpler technology, it still delivers the goods from the standpoint of a fan. Yes, the songs are simple and light, but at the time they were also some of the most played on radio. This is a must own for any Beatles fan,
for it's a look at music history that will probably never be repeated again by anyone any time soon.

good Beatles movie.......2007-07-14

This was the first movie that the Beatles did and my favorite of their movies as well.

Plot - pretty much a day in the life of the Beatles. Shows a good look at Beatlemania. Best thing about it is the song performances.

Extras on the DVD - lots of documentaries about the making of the movie.

A Hard Days Night.......2007-07-10

I own this dvd and watched it a dozen times I like it. You never realize how funny they can be until you have seen them in a movie acting. It reminds me about funny flashbacks of hotdogs and yellow submarine and other strange hallucinations. If you look at some of the actors in the background you might think of other influences like FZ or Bo Diddly. I thought the bonus stuff was mostly lacking though in the movie there was a lot of live and concert footage anyways. It was very dreamlike to watch in a sense it was unreal probably because it's totally black & white. Very revealing if you ever find yourself emersed in BeatlemaniaYellow SubmarineThe Wizard of OzEnsemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa: Greggery Peccary & Other PersuasionsBob Dylan - Don't Look Back

The Beatles: The Making Of A Hard Day's Night

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The Beatles: The Making Of A Hard Day's Night

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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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A Hard Day's Night [Region 2]
Starring: John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison , Ringo Starr , and Wilfrid Brambell
Director: Richard Lester
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B00006G9X1

The Beatles ~ First U. S. Visit (Original Version) [Import, All-region] (Dvd)

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The Beatles ~ First U. S. Visit (Original Version) [Import, All-region] (Dvd)

Manufacturer: Sun Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

The Arrival - February 7, 1964
2. All My Loving .. 3. Till There Was You .. 4. She Loves You .. 5. I Wanna Hold Your Hand .. 6. I Saw Her Standing There .. 7. I Wanna Be Your Man ..
8. She Loves You .. 9. From Me To You .. 10. This Boy .. 11. All My Loving .. 12. Twist and Shout .. 13. Please, Please Me .. PLUS!
The Departure, February 21, 1964
Import from Korea made for the USA/Canada/Korea (NTSC, All-Region). Original English Soundtrack. Subtitles: English; Spanish; French; Korean

ASIN: B000NNJ95G

Product Description

This is THE BEATLES: THE FIRST US VISIT, a day-by-day audio visual account of the group's arrival on U.S. shores. This full-length film takes us on an historic, musical ride back in time. This is the real Hard Day's Night, culled from hours of footage--some of which has never been seen before--and the Ed Sullivan appearances. Audiences of all ages have an opportunity to relive a time of glorious, innocent mayhem. People will be able to see and hear what happened, as it happened. Such a time will never come again. This DVD contains more than 13 performances which have been visually restored to near perfection. The tracks have been digitally remastered to produce a superb stereo sound.

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Inside story
HOP ON BOARD THE BEATLE TRAIN! NEXT STOP, 1964!
A FUN GLIMPSE BEHIND THE BEATLE CURTAIN
You Can't Do That is on newer pressings
Great footage of the early Beatles!

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

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: 6305073694
Release Date: 1998-07-28

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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

Customer Reviews:

Inside story.......2005-09-21

What a great piece of film. I have to watch it during the day, because it gets me too charged up at night so that I can't sleep. Getting the producers and directors views on working so closely with the 4 are riveting. John has always been my favorite, and their are a lot of candid moments with him. This film shows they were/are human. LG

HOP ON BOARD THE BEATLE TRAIN! NEXT STOP, 1964!.......2002-03-27

I really love this video. As much as I love the Beatles' 1964 classic film and title song, "A Hard Day's Night," I strongly feel this is a video that will delight all, from inveterate Beatles' fans to folks just getting familiar with their music.

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

This delightful DVD shows the mechanics involved in creating the Beatles' first movie, the 1964 classic, "A Hard Day's Night." Footage of the Beatles joking around on the train and in their hotel room is included and this makes for a very delightful package indeed. One gets the feeling of riding on the Beatle train, next stop 1964! during the train footage.

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

Only the first pressing of this DVD was missing "You Can't Do That".

Later pressings have the outtake as described in the description.

Great footage of the early Beatles!.......2000-08-23

It is great to see the Fab 4 in their hotel rooms and on trains and such, just clowning around, mugging for the cameras... But what makes this DVD worth owning is the music. Included are nearly all the Ed Sullivan performances, including of course the first night that Ed introduced the Beatles to America.

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.

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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

The value of this collection is in some ways priceless. "Imagine" a collection that could get us all five Beatles' films for an affordable price. The two-star rating isn't for the very good release, 'Help' or for the flawed, idiocyncratic, random, but sometimes groundbreaking and interesting 'Magical Mystery Tour' and all of the gravy of the accompanying "rockumentaries". Hopefully, the capitalist version of trickle down economics will materialize--the way it did for C.D. players and Walkman--when the prolitariat will be able to afford all five Beatles' (movie) DVD's, either separately or together. By the way, although the bickering on 'Let It Be' (not included here--or barely anywhere else) is legendary, so is the music. For those who have seen the last Beatle film, the strife is enlightening, but overrated. Can we have that movie, please? (For myself, I only saw it once: At a Mark Lapidos' Beatles' convention in 1980.) I hope trickle down theory works, and someday the rest of us will get the movies we want.

missing Movies.......2006-01-23

This Is an Alright set, But it is missing 3 great movies! Where is "A Hard day's Night"? The First Beatle Film. Also Where is "Let It be"? Let It Be is too hard to find! so they need to put that in there! Plus they are also Missing "Yellow Submarine" I Think they should Have put the Behind The Scenes in another set!

Fans of the wonderful Beatles will be ecstatic!.......2004-01-25

"The Making of A Hard Day's Night" is a very interesting 'Making Of" (well, of course its a Making Of!) and is hosted by Phil Collins. The Beatles are in their usual charming and funny selves and, YAY, this video introduces a song which was cut out from the film, which is, "You Can't Do That." It is one of my favorite Beatles songs and I just love the guitar intro.

"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

Until A Hard Day's Night and Anthology are released in DVD, this, along with the remastered Yellow Submarine DVD, is basically it. You can save money by buying the packaged product. The First US Visit is like traveling in a time machine. Note how George is the only one who looks into the camera and mugs for it on the Sullivan Show debut. As far as I can tell, all the Sullivan appearances are on here.

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

Along with sebastian, I also wonder why "Let it Be" isn't avalable and also the excellent footage from the television special "The Beatles at Shea Stadium" some of which was also included in the "Anthology" series.

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The Beatles A Hard Day's Night

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000LCF3HM

Product Description

Format: DVD Jan 1997 Rated G Recording Mode: Stereo Sound: Stereo, HiFi Closed Captioned 90 min. B&W Movie Description A HARD DAY'S NIGHT presents a fictionalized day in the life of the Beatles as they give a performance on a live television show. Filmed just a month after their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, this film--the Beatles' first--introduces us to the unique personalities of each member of the band. The film opens with the Fab Four boarding a train mobbed with adoring young fans (mostly women) as they attempt to travel to the television studio in London. The antics of the band during rehearsals and makeup application provide a large part of the comic material in this feature, though there are other moments of pure hilarity. The unscripted vignette featuring a hangover-suffering Ringo is especially funny, particularly when he is arrested and risks having to miss the broadcast. None of this goes unnoticed by the director of the show, played by Victor Spinetti, who went on to become a recurring cast member in Beatles movies. As the clock ticks away dramatically, our heroes manage to free Ringo from jail and sneak onto the stage in the nick of time, delighted in the knowledge that they have nearly driven the director mad in the process. Arguably the first music video ever made, this faux documentary and its shooting style have been a tremendous influence on nearly every rock and roll feature since. Credits Cast: The Beatles Director: Richard Lester Producer: Walter Shenson Film Notes DVD Features: Region 1 Encoding Special DVD Features: English, Spanish, and French Language Tracks; English, Spanish, and French Language Subtitles; English: Dolby Digital Stereo; Spanish and French: Mono; Interactive Menus; Chapter Search; Biographies. Keep Case

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The Beatles Hard Days Night

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

English, Spanish and French Language Tracks
English, Spanish and French Subtitles

ASIN: B000S35EQY

The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (English, Spanish and French audio tracks)

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The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (English, Spanish and French audio tracks)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000B6WXU8

Product Description

SUMMARY: On the heels of the Beatles' first two successful films, A Hard Day's Night and Help!, came Magical Mystery Tour. Produced and directed by the Beatles themselves, the tour in question is a psychedelic bus trip around the English countryside where all is not what it seems and magic is everywhere. So get on the bus with the Beatles and a colorful cast of interesting fellow travelers for an afternoon of comedy, music, competition, magic and even romance! PERSONNEL: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Victor Spinetti, Jessie Robbins, Ivor Cutler, Derek Royle. Directed By The Beatles. ++++ This officially licensed release from South Korea is in ENGLISH (Dolby Digital Stereo) as well as Spanish (Mono) and French (Mono) with optional (removable) English, Spanish and French subtitles; includes Interactive Menu, with access to all 21 Chapters, as well as Chapter Search.

The Beatles "A Hard Day's Night" VCD set (2 Video CD's)

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The Beatles "A Hard Day's Night" VCD set (2 Video CD's)

Manufacturer: Miramax Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

35th Anniversary Edition of The Beatles "A Hard Days Night" 2-VCD(Video CD) set. Featuring new footage, enhanced picture and digitally restored soundtrack. Miramax Films is now re-releasing the film with a fully restored negative and digitally restored soundtrack. Imported from Singapore.

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