The Beatles : Anthology [DVD] [1995]
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Beatles Anthology was initially broadcast as a TV miniseries to run alongside the series of three Anthology double-CD albums. This set of eight documentaries has the heft and scope of one of Ken Burns' expansive projects. Still, you may find yourself with more material--particularly about the Beatles' early lives as lads in Liverpool--than you'll want to watch. The documentary material is copious, including early performance films and tapes, at the point before they found their true voices. The actual Beatlemania years--beginning in 1963 and concluding in 1970--feature extensive performance films, as well as home movies and archival material. The best parts, of course, are the interviews with the Beatles themselves, who produced the entire thing. Along with reworking two previously unreleased John Lennon tracks as "new Beatles songs", the Anthology includes some unseen Lennon interview tapes so that his acerbic voice can be heard as well. This stands as a comprehensive document of that heady period, the second coming of rock & roll, as the Beatles took what Elvis had started and expanded upon it exponentially. This box set gives a solid sense of the historical context and the way these four musicians changed the world around them in the 1960s. --Marshall Fine
Reviews
Amazing!
Review date: 2010-08-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
I bought this half expecting it to be very documentary-style, i.e. a little long winded and repetitive. I could not be more wrong...
The boxset itself is very nice, lovely design with the 5 DVDs in separate cases with a little background insert for each Anthology 1-4 and the Extras case. On loading the DVDs the menus are nice, clear, easy to use. I love the intro as each part begins with the screaming drowning them out, the "epic scale" effect is great.
The Anthologies themselves are PACKED with videos, footage, photos, recordings, interviews and, of course, music. From their childhood we see photos. From their early years we see many amazing grainy footage reels. And as the years go by we see cleaner, colour footage. Seeing fans screaming in the UK, US, Aus, Japan, and many other countries is frightening. Seeing young women fainting and having to be chased by the Police when then run at The Beatles as they play is very amusing. Some of the footage comes as a surprise. There are also clips from some of their movies, and lots of anecdotes regarding the making of them.
The interviews with The Beatles - Paul, George and Ringo - are not all recorded specifically for this DVD, I believe. There are interviews from different years, in different locations. Young Paul, older Paul, current (as of production) Paul. Same goes for George and Ringo. Only John's interviews are mostly audio recordings. A few visual interviews with presenters are wonderful to see though. The honesty of each man, the modesty and willingness to speak to the fans as admirers rather than just people who made them rich is always evident. Their integrity can never be questioned.
George Martin, their Producer, gives some great interviews also, throughout, as well as many other friends and family from their years together. Each contributes interesting information, funny anecdotes, and personal experiences.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and will watch it again in the future. Many people just take The Beatles as a "great band" without considering the lives of the 4 men, and their friends and families. Their struggles are often presented, without shame. Before watching this I was more aware of Paul and John. I knew little of Ringo, and nothing of George. This really opened my eyes, seeing how unique each man was. Each contributed so differently to the band, and each led his own life. They often bickered during their music writing, but in the end they always worked it out, until their break up.
I suppose the only thing that is really missing is the death of John Lennon. They jump from their break up in 1969/70 to reforming to create "Free As A Bird". I know it would have been a downer after such a great Anthology, but unfortunately we all know the history and it would have been 'nice' to have some official thoughts of that on the record.
If you are even just a teensy bit interested in knowing more about The Beatles but can't be bothered with auto- biographies - get this. You will not regret it! A very moving, entertaining and highly interesting production! I am very happy to have bought this, it has made me a bigger fan of the band, with a far greater understanding of the personalities behind those great songs which still outlive today's performers. Each song has a story.. each man told their story to the world.
RIP John and George, forever in our thoughts. Long live Paul and Ringo. "Peace and Love!" :)
The Beatles Anthology authoritative
Review date: 2010-08-16 Rating: 10 out of 10
A must-own for any fan of the Fab Four. This must surely be the definitive filmed story of the group that changed rock music in the 60s and continues to resonate within the wider scope of music history. What makes this impossible to replicate on this scale is the access the interviewers had to Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr, albeit the interviews with Lennon coming from earlier sources. But excellent perspective is given by having people close to the Beatles give their views on relevant aspects of their careers, both as a group and as individuals. Above all, taking us through the entire breadth of their music is the highlight. Superb footage exists of most of their music, including some rare clips, and portrays the lads at their very best (and sometimes at their worst).
Very nice documental!!
Review date: 2010-07-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
I've really enjoyed this documental. For every Beatles' fan is a must... and even if you're not, it's a very interesting documental... I recommend this product!!
Great!
Review date: 2010-07-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
I'd been meaning to get this for some time and recently decided to purchase it and am pleased to say that I am glad I did. It contains lots of material and all the interviews seem to be very frank and honest. It provides a great insight into a band that were before my time but that I have been a fan of for ages. Very interesting and a worthy purchase for any Beatles fan.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
The Beatles
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
Ringo Starr
Neil Aspinall
Creators:
The Beatles (Primary Contributor)
Paul McCartney (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: EMI
Manufacturer: EMI
EAN: 0724349296992
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: Black & White, Colour, PAL,
Release date: 2003-03-31
Universal product code (UPC): 724349296992
Number of discs: 5
Aspect ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
Audience rating: Exempt
Running time: 672 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1995-11-19
Language: English (Original Language)
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