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What to Know About the Rarely Seen Footage Included in Beatles ’64

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What to Know About the Rarely Seen Footage Included in Beatles ’64

As a film enthusiast who grew up in the 60s and was captivated by the Beatles’ music and charisma, I must say that the release of “Beatles ’64” on Disney+ is like finding a long-lost treasure chest. Sixty years after their first U.S. visit, this documentary offers an unprecedented glimpse into the lives of these iconic figures during one of the most significant periods in their career.

Six decades have passed since The Beatles graced America for the first time, yet their musical dominance remains unparalleled. As a devoted cinephile of music, I can attest that they’ve left an indelible mark on the Billboard charts. To this day, they retain the records for the most No. 1 singles on the Hot 100 chart and boast the most No. 1 albums (a whopping 19) in the annals of Billboard’s tracking history.

Six decades have passed since the two-week visit in February 1964, and until now, much of the backstage footage from that event has remained largely unseen. However, you can now catch a glimpse of it on Disney+. The documentary titled “Beatles ’64,” directed by Martin Scorsese, brings to light seldom-seen footage featuring the legendary rock band members Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, as well as their enthusiastic, often screamingly so, fans. This captivating documentation was originally filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles.

A significant amount of seldom-shown footage captures the Beatles enjoying downtime amidst their hectic lineup of radio, TV, and concert performances. This material presents McCartney feeding seagulls with bread from a window, Harrison sipping water while playing his guitar, and even Harrison lounging inside an overhead compartment on a train at one point.

David Tedeschi, director of Beatles ’64, remarks that they find this level of success utterly fresh and delightful. Their joy stems from the fact that they have longed for such achievement for numerous years.

The filming took place concurrently with the Brooklyn Museum’s display of candid photos taken by McCartney during his ’64 U.S. trip, providing Tedeschi with the opportunity to chat with the rock legend and gain an exclusive backstage perspective of the performance. In his interview, McCartney shares numerous anecdotes, such as composing “She Loves You” at his Liverpool residence in collaboration with Lennon, and his father suggesting a more refined alternative for the iconic phrase “She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah,” which was originally “she loves you yes, yes, yes.

As a true-blue cinephile, I must say that the unseen footage in ‘Beatles ’64‘ is nothing short of breathtaking. It features interviews with diehard fans who braved the biting cold just to catch a glimpse of these rock legends. The screaming hordes were an integral part of the Beatles’ tour, and these interviews offer a glimpse into their unwavering devotion. One fan shares her story of heading to the Plaza hotel and purchasing a towel piece rumored to have been used by the Beatles. Another recounts how he managed to secure a souvenir – the seat from Shea Stadium where he sat, thanks to an engineer’s kind favor.

Fans trailed the Beatles wherever they ventured. In an interview, Ronnie Spector, frontwoman of the Ronettes, recounts how she facilitated their covert escape from the Plaza hotel to Harlem, using a limousine. They savored delicious meals and had a chance to dance. “They appreciated it because no one recognized them, and they were left undisturbed,” Spector remarks in the documentary.

In this recently restored footage, it was intriguing for Tedeschi to observe the Beatles – seasoned performers – appearing slightly uneasy with the public attention. For instance, in one scene, Lennon can be seen questioning the cameramen as to why they were filming, believing they were recording a radio segment instead. This moment showcases their human side quite beautifully.

Tedeschi points out that while they were aboard the aircraft, they fretted about finding no one at the airport upon arrival. Despite their two chart-topping songs, they had no inkling of the sensation they would eventually create.

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2024-12-14 00:06

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