As a child of the ’60s, I can vividly recall the electrifying energy that swept across the nation when The Beatles graced our television screens for the first time on The Ed Sullivan Show. Their impact was nothing short of revolutionary, and I’ve been an ardent fan ever since. So, needless to say, I’m absolutely thrilled about the current Beatle-Mania 2.0 we’re experiencing!
Directed by David Tedeschi and produced by Martin Scorsese, the new documentary titled ‘Beatles ’64’ has made its premiere on Disney+ to high praise from critics. This film explores The Beatles’ significant influence on America during their first visit in February 1964, following their groundbreaking performances on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’. It’s one of many musical documentaries for Scorsese, who has also directed works like ‘Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese’, as well as another film focusing on a Beatle – ‘George Harrison: Living in the Material World’.
1964’s release of The Beatles saw an extraordinary reception, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding it a near-perfect score of 97%, based on 30 reviews. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian gave it a perfect 5/5, praising it as “A stunning snapshot of cultural history.” Matt Goldberg from The Wrap, a self-confessed Beatlemaniac, remarked that although the documentary may only resonate with fellow fans, its portrayal of the birth of Beatlemania in America is undeniably powerful. David Ehrlich from IndieWire rated it a B, stating that despite being shorter than The Beatles: Get Back, Tedeschi’s 106-minute film retains the same captivating quality, never feeling new or necessary, yet each moment offers a genuine revelation.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend this year, I was captivated by the second significant Beatles-focused documentary produced by an Oscar-winning director and broadcast on Disney+. The first was “The Beatles: Get Back,” masterfully crafted by Peter Jackson. This three-part documentary delved into unseen footage and audio from the recording sessions of the Fab Four’s swan song album, “Let It Be.” Each episode was released daily during Thanksgiving 2021, starting on November 25 and concluding on November 27. As of now, “The Beatles: Get Back” holds a remarkable 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 119 reviews.
We’re Experiencing Beatle-Mania 2.0
The exceptional rating of “Beatles ’64” on Rotten Tomatoes coincides with the announcement that the long-awaited final single by The Beatles, titled “Now and Then,” has been nominated for both Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. This song is a revival of an unfinished John Lennon composition, completed by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and old recordings of George Harrison’s guitar from a 1995 session. Peter Jackson-commissioned machine learning technology was used to extract Lennon’s voice from the demo for the song featured in “The Beatles: Get Back.” The Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 2, 2025, and given the strong nomination, there is a high chance that The Beatles could win in their respective categories, an outcome once thought impossible by fans.
The resurgence of Beatle-mania isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Director Sam Mendes is currently working on four different biographical films focusing on each member of The Beatles. It appears that Ringo Starr has hinted that Barry Keoghan will portray him, while Harris Dickinson and Joseph Quinn are rumored to take on the roles of John Lennon and George Harrison respectively. Just like how Beatles ’64 demonstrated their rise to becoming one of the most iconic bands in history, their influence continues to resonate today through documentaries, movie adaptations, and even a fitting new tune. Contrary to what many thought, we’re not saying goodbye to the Beatles, but instead, we’re welcoming them back.
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2024-11-29 22:31