The Rutles movie, an insanely accurate Beatles biopic

[@larsland]

I know this bothers everyone but Brian Epstein's last name was pronounced Ep-steen and they regularly flipped back and forth publicly. In his personal life and around his friends, it was Ep-steen. "It WaS eP-sTiNe." No, it wasn't.

[@JPMM316]

“Stig sued himself accidentally” I love the Rutles

[@brewstergallery]

He / she also became an airline hostess

[@SamHarrisonMusic]

Also, from the KZbin comments of the Cheese and Onion video: 'In the DVD commentary, Eric said they found the animators of Yellow Submarine, who were still around in '78. He gave them some money and said give us 3 minutes and that's what they got. Pretty brilliant.'

[@larsland]

I wish I knew which staff were involved in specifics.

[@SamHarrisonMusic]

@@larsland Yeh, me too the animations epic )

[@RobotShlomo]

​@@larsland The animated segment was done by Little Big Films of London. The man who directed that segment is named George Earl Parker, who I believe is still alive.

[@larsland]

@@RobotShlomothanks!

[@Uetti]

Eric would reprise his role as The Rutles' reporter/narrator at the 2014 Grammy's special about The Beatles, in front of Paul and Ringo themselves. Amazing

[@NoviJimB]

I will never foget seeing this for the first time. I've been a huge Beatles fan my entire life. I had seen the skit that was done on SNL when Eric Idle was the guest host and he was a newscaster hailing the coming of The Rutles. They did one of the songs during that, maybe 'I Must Be In Love', and I f-ing lived that skit. I think that was in 1976. Maybe two years later my sister and I were sitting in our living room watching TV and this movie came on. Neither of us knew anything about it. Low and behold it was that skit, turned into a full movie. It was incredible. We had grown up listening to The Beatles from the time we were little kids, so we completely 'got it'. Neil Innes did such a fantastic job writing those songs, and they all did such great jobs doing their parts, and all the guest who appeared were perfect - George, Mick, Belushi, BIll Murray The K, pure genius. Over the years my sister and I talked about the movie now and then. I was visiting her in California some time in the 90's and we went to the video store and they had this. Neither of us had seen it since that time onTV. This was maybe 25 years later, it was so cool being able to sit together and watch again. The best mockumentary ever.

[@NoviJimB]

The SNL thing wasn't an SNL skit, it was actually a clip from Rutland Weekend Television, which Idle and Innes were on.

[@Uetti]

You should do a video in which you analyze The Rutles' songs, because I really love them all, great songwriting on their own

[@chadsmalley]

@@Uetti This ^^ 👍🙏

[@kenmills7512]

yes please

[@Tony-yp7ok]

If you haven’t seen it, there’s an Aspel interview with George and Ringo where they were asked how they felt about John’s death - Ringo says “stunned” and George immediately quips in with “shocked and stunned” 😂

[@chadsmalley]

You are so spot on about it being a ridiculously accurate biopic… I don’t think I ever thought about it in that way, but I totally see it now especially in the context of your previous work. They really nailed it, it’s crazy. All biopic directors should study this film (and watch your videos).

[@larsland]

Omg that last sentence is so nice I’m DYING

[@OkayOctowave]

The Rutles film is one 'biopic' that no one talks about within the Beatles community, as a fan of both Beatles and Rutles, I'm so glad to see the rise of Rutle recognition from Beatle fans. Neil Innes (who was responsible for most of the music) was fantastic when playing Ron, still sad by his passing back in 2020, may he rest in peas (peace)

[@lady_gleeson]

I saw an Idle interview where he said they had sent a copy prior to release to John and Yoko and they were such good sports about it, and loved it so mich they refused to return it. George also had such fun he went on to fund Monty Pythons Life of Brian. About which, Idle said was "the most anybodys paid for a cinema ticket"

[@lindapgolan7070]

Also a rumor that Paul did not like it, but Linda said it was great and for him to lighten up LOLOLOLOL

[@lady_gleeson]

@lindapgolan7070 I 1,000% believe that lmao

[@TrekBeatTK]

The sound over the foot film is the song "You need feet", if you were wondering. Not sure why your versions muted it. It was there when I watched it years ago.

[@larsland]

Bizarre. Two separate public versions muted it but it might have to do with copyright.

[@chadsmalley]

@@TrekBeatTK I found the actual song on KZbin, with different video, but this is definitely the song they used (not an Neil Innes composition, interestingly) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZrTc3qggrN4d68si=bt6YsQOZPI3L4jOU

[@MrJimithee]

They were more than just fans of the Beatles... They were MATES! Neil Innes is IN the film Magical Mystery Tour with his wonderful Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (And he's the minstrel in Monty Pythons Holy Grail!) Rest in peace Neil, one of the all time great song writers...

[@larsland]

What’s so funny is I mentioned him and the band in my MMT video and I had no idea who he was at that time! I hadn’t put it together until someone else commented this earlier. 😊

[@RobotShlomo]

@@larsland Neil Innes was also in the light comedy group The Scaffold with Paul McCartney's brother, Mike.

[@stewartstafford]

The Rutles were definitely the precursor to Spinal Tap, Bad News and all the other music parody groups which followed. The Beatles wild times in Hamburg were an eye-opening experience for them and it's joked that Paul's permanent wide-eyed expression began there. (No matter what the detractors say, "to thine own self be true.")

[@josemaria8177]

The Rutles movie is everything I dreamed it would be when I discovered Eric Idle and Neil Innes decided to parody The Beatles. Also, Neil Innes is a true songwriting genius who deserves to be much more well known

[@larsland]

I wasn’t expecting to like it so much but I really was so impressed! This has nothing to do with the rutles I’m just generally a hater and comedies aren’t usually my bag. The fact this got me so excited is a really strong endorsement!

[@davidcarter5038]

Neil was a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band in the UK in the 1960s and had a few hits. They appear in the Magical Mystery Tour too.

[@SabineThinkerbellum]

@@davidcarter5038you put the words out of my mouth 😊

[@larsland]

@@davidcarter5038see I mentioned him/the band in my MMT video… had no idea who he was!!! Isn’t that crazy?

[@chadsmalley]

Neil was a genius! And such a top class dude. Loved that guy, his passing a few years ago pretty much hit me just as hard as Bowie.

[@Kieop]

"Bigger than Rod" was my favourite part as a kid. That and the Ratskeller.

[@larsland]

So funny

[@johnupdate]

Eric Idle also wrote „Always Look on the Bright Side of Life“

[@seansheppard8635]

"I know I can't hear you, but I know I can pick up what you're saying, baby!" -Bill Murray the K.

[@RicoCosta317]

Eric Idle should've won an academy award for this.

[@nellgwenn]

Well it was a TV show. This was an entire episode of SNL.

[@RicoCosta317]

@nellgwenn Well how about an Emmy then, or a Tony for the Broadway version. He shoulda won something!

[@Uetti]

His Paul is so damn spot on

[@neilmurray7330]

If you go back and watch Beatles Anthology, George makes a quip along the lines of during the making of Sgt Pepper we were drinking a lot of tea, with a cheeky glint in his eye.

[@ESyshej-gf2eg]

Yayy you’re back!! First of all I’m so glad you watched and reviewed this movie, it’s brilliant and hilarious and I have to agree, the best depiction in movie biopics of the Beatles. The best joke be that Stig never spoke since 1950 or something, being the quiet Rutle. Of course George being in this movie means this was truly done with love, and jn the classic Beatles fashion, with lots of humour.

[@larsland]

Such a fun watch!

[@philgallagher1]

Couple of things: 1. This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. 2. I really enjoyed it! 3. It's YOUR video on YOUR channel - you can rant as much as you like. I love it when someone is passionate enough to "sweat the details" and you are right about the height issue. It's this kind of thing that drags you out of the story and can spoil the whole thing (like a Starbucks cup in "Game of Thrones" or a digital watch in a Cowboy film!) 4. "The Rutles" is amazing, Neil Innes was an utter genius and so is Eric Idle. 5. I have subscribed and can't wait to watch the rest of your videos. 6. Finally I live in Liverpool and was born here in 1963, just as the boys were getting mega famous! Cheers!

[@MH90]

This film was so good at nailing that definitive Beatles story we all know now, and I can't be alone in having been caught out by essentially several Mandela Effect moments for the real Beatles. Like, I'll remember that the Beatles video for "Act Naturally" was Ringo's wedding.... nope, that's Living In Hope by the Rutles. "Piggy in the middle" is as good as a part of Walrus too. Also, Ricky Fataar was in the Beach Boys! He does a great job despite being very much not an actor.

[@yamihoole]

Can never have enough Rutles! You may want to listen to Eric Idle's commentary if you can find it. He makes a lot of interesting points, like in relation to Mick Jagger and Paul Simon's interviews, he says something like they are a little more willing to say things about the Rutles that they may not say about the Beatles. Like they're more candid when talking about the Rutles, y'know? I met Neil Innes a couple times, he was a very nice guy

[@larsland]

Oh wow I’ll look into it!!! 👀👀

[@TrekBeatTK]

It's often been theorized that Idle and the gang saw a rough cut of "The long and winding road" (the in-progress documentary that never came to fruition but eventually became the Anthology). That would explain how they nailed all the little bits so exactly. I think my favorite extreme in-joke is that the Yoko character's film about feet.

[@TTM9691]

Not theorized, that's exactly what happened. Idle has said so many times, including on the DVD which I wish I still had. Damn!

[@ringostarrk]

this is one of my favorite movies so it's safe to say that I was excited when I saw you were reviewing it ❤️

[@larsland]

Loved it!! So awestruck.

[@TheStradeyparkkid]

Enjoyed your summing up of the pre-fab four-legends in their own lunchtime. Two cast members you might have missed: the part of Dirk's wife Martini is played by Bianca Jagger (formerly married to Mick Jagger) and the Hells Angel who talks about Big Valerie outside Rutle Corps is Rolling Stone member Ronnie Wood.

[@larsland]

yeah i caught them but didn't get around to mentioning it.

[@derekroberts6654]

Tea drinking in the 60s lead to harder stuff in the 70s like Play-doh sniffing… There would be lines of Play-doh at these parties and backstages…

[@brendongomez8267]

First time watcher, great video! I own the DVD the song you could not hear was called ‘You Need Feet’ it sounds like a 1940s big band jazzy mid tempo song

[@larsland]

I’m so bummed I didn’t get to hear it!

[@TeleNikon]

Hi Lars, I absolutely love your videos, especially your LOST epic! The Rutles project came at a time when most Beatles fans-essentially most people-were still under 35. The film was introduced to the U.S. audience on SNL when Eric Idle guested, and it hit at the perfect intersection of comedy and cool because it was all about The Beatles. The genius of The Rutles is that it’s a loving salute to The Beatles, created by people who adored them and were close friends with them. Eric Idle, from Monty Python’s Flying Circus (a comedy group that carried on The Beatles’ own Goon Show-inspired humor), was at the helm. The Pythons’ musical mastermind, Neil Innes, not only contributed to Python sketches but was also part of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, who famously appeared in Magical Mystery Tour. This connection underscores something important: comedy was as central to The Beatles’ identity as their music. When they weren’t creating songs, they were crafting jokes-always with that signature Goon humor. The Rutles perfectly captured that spirit, celebrating The Beatles in a way only true fans and friends could. - - - Love your larger-than-life reviews and candid opinions!🌟

[@larsland]

Beautiful comment

[@AsWeGoAlongWithAngelAAPRP]

Right off the bat, Well Fucking Done! I really enjoyed your reaction to the movie. I felt jealous because I want to reexperince the first time I saw All You Need Is Cash(late 80's on MTV) and you laughing at the best jokes, especially Stig biting into an onion(?, always though it was an apple). If you can find a DVD of the movie, the Eric Idle commentary is pure Rutles gold. There's lots of cool factoids and stories. Including the time that Geroge and Ringo sang Ouch to Eric Idle at Friar Park. He suggested they start a group calle the Brutles. I wanted to cooment last night but wanted to save it till today. Yeah, I think a deep dive would make a great epsiode. Much love Lars

[@AsWeGoAlongWithAngelAAPRP]

Also the music is amazing. It was so good that the Beatles publishing company sued Neil Innes

[@brewstergallery]

From what I've heard Paul and Ringo were upset by The Rutles but George loved the idea and when John got a review copy from Gary Weis he loved it so much that he refused to return it.

[@Bisson79]

@@brewstergallery George and John loved it. Ringo liked it up until the '1968' part onwards as it brought back bad memories of the break-up. Paul was wary of it but Linda loved it. Paul came round when he found out Eric Idle came from near Liverpool and therefore had the 'right' to make fun as that's what Scousers do best!

[@brewstergallery]

@@Bisson79 That's great and thanks for filling in the gaps. Neil Innes and the Bonzos were in Magical Mystery. They had a similar sense of humor and the love of old English pop culture. George and Eric plus the Pythons also got on well.

[@hel_niflheim]

Well done, Lars! And yes, not many people appreciate the genuine love & respect behind the satire of The Rutles films. I was surprised at first that Neil Innes composed the score based on his memory of The Beatles. But it makes sense. Mimicry is not the point - it’s how the music *felt*-and he captured it beautifully. Thank you for sharing this one with us.

[@TodayImMaking]

Thanks for the trip down Rutles Lane! It's like I got to enjoy the entire movie again in 44 minutes. I believe that Paul hated this film at first but eventually came around. And speaking of Paul, you have GOT to watch his appearance on Carpool Karaoke if you have not done so already. It's on KZbin.

[@larsland]

OKAY So someone commented on my patreon that John loved it, Paul hated it. And considering *WHEN* this came out, I totally see him hating it. Time brings joy, and I'm glad he grew to like it. Re: carpool karaoke---I've seen it! Not a huge fan of James Corden, but I LOVE that video!! It's so touching.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

@@larsland According to Eric Idle, "Paul wasn't quite sure, but Linda loved it, so he came around."

[@TodayImMaking]

​@@larsland I'm not a James Corden fan either, but I can ignore him. Glad you saw it! Glad Paul got through his post-Beatles trauma. Glad he's still rockin' today!

[@Bisson79]

Ah the Rutles. As a Beatles/Python fan I love the movie but it's the songs that have really stuck around. Fantastic video Lars! ❤😊

[@petebear8212]

I remember it being on Rutland Weekend TV about Easter time 1976. It was so funny so when they made the TV film I was delighted. Being a Python fan I had to watch it and by the Vinyl album.

[@samguberman2288]

This the best pastiche of the Beatles story, it's so unbelievably accurate to those us who know The Beatles story.. The great Neil Innes wrote all the songs, you can tell he's a fan. I have the album as the songs are fantastic, Piggy in the middle is my favourite but all the songs are great, very funny film.

[@kirk90212]

At the height of my Beatles fandom when I was in high school I consumed every piece of Beatles media available. Somehow I had never heard of the Ruttles. Then one day I was watching TV and came across the movie somewhere before halfway through and I was like… “is that Eric Idle?”…. “is this supposed to be a comedy?”…. “wait a minute, this has got to be a law suit waiting to happen…” Years later I realize that it might be the most accurate telling for their story.

[@TimNatysin]

Great job Lars! And I don't say that lightly....to me The Beatles are the standard by which all other music is measured. Your video is done with love, and like you said (the negative ones) need to lighten up and enjoy. You look great, and look forward to more, however I have much (your previous videos) to check out, because I'm new to the game. Thanks so much, Tim😊

[@ChrisJohnsonChannel]

I didn’t want to spoil anything but a real Beatle makes an appearance as a reporter 😂

[@maryrath9062]

The Rutles is the best Beatles documentary.

[@alanr4447a]

36:55 The Nasty/Chastity 'experimental' film "A Hundred Feet of Film" DOES have a soundtrack, which I guess had to be cut from what you saw for copyright. It has a man sort of "comically" singing "You Need Feet", a spoken version of which had been recited in a _Dick Van Dyke Show_ episode "The Return of Edwin Carp".

[@laclaire8790]

It's crazy how much mockumentary is more accurate and at the same time more engaging than the official biopics. One of the best Beatle movies, Eric Idle is a genius and his movie shows how much, unfortunately, we miss done well spoof films. I am still amazed how much the actors were good in their roles neither too much caricatural, they were just great; George in his cameo was impeccable I don't know how he could hold his laughs with Micheal Palin acting in front of him and all chaos in the background, I love that he pulled out from the closet the old beatles suit, the wig he wore was ironically so much better than most wigs in beatles biopics. The joke about John and Paul...George what have you told to your friend Eric? Last thing I have to say, Lars never worry about you passion and how much you go into details, it's the best part of your videos and the reason why I love your channel.

[@ChrisJohnsonChannel]

I love that song “ I must be in love” its so catchy

[@bobberndt9744]

Zowie!! This one was like watching you on LSTea. And I am not even from Liverpool. 🤯🧔‍♂️

[@larsland]

LSTEA!! Hahaha!! Unfortunately for my cool person persona (joking), I’ve never done acid or any crazy substances. Much too irresponsible to be trusted with such items.

[@greenmonsterprod]

As I understand it, Ringo liked the early parts of "The Rutles", but felt the later sections were so close to reality that they brought back bad memories. Paul didn't like it, but Linda convinced him otherwise. John loved it. And George, of course, appeared in it. For the full parody effect, look for the documentary "The Compleat Beatles" (narrated by Malcolm MacDowell). It was made after "The Rutles" and is very similar in structure to the spoof. And I suggest looking for the soundtrack; it's actually a fun album on its own, beyond the parody aspect.

[@Zharkov1969A]

Another great, informative and funny video. You keep it up now. Don’t let the idiots get to you, they aren’t worth it.

[@thomastimlin1724]

With a Girl Like You is actually a parody on If I Fell. All songs were hilariously accurate in style yet melodies inverted, etc. Please Please Hold My Hand in the style of All My Lovin'...but the hook line combines the song titles I Wanna Hold Your Hand with Please Please Me of course. You know all this for sure but many watching do not. You're a real Beatles expert like this old man here who was a music teacher. in your flannel short videos, you definitely look gorgeous... I just wanted you to know that ....I have a daughter around your age. Besides all that you crack me up. And we have two cats..."get off the counter!!" in heard daily here.

[@rubbersoph]

seated 🍿

[@larsland]

Gender dysphoria be damned, rubbersoph is here!

[@Zholobov1]

There is another one. "Can't buy me luhch" it is called.

[@scotttaylor7767]

Well done Lars it’s nice to see you smiling and laughing again! I’m glad this movie has put some laughs into your life. This movie was especially important to me when I was having chemotherapy. One night I was pretty close to the end. Burning up with an infection in ICU. The nurse knew I was a Beatles fan and brought this for me to us to watch that night. So I have very fond memories of this film. It literally saved my life. But thanks once again for a wonderful video. 😊

[@larsland]

Thank you! And glad you recovered

[@scotttaylor7767]

@ Thanks Lars yes still in the clear after one year. 👍 By the way if ever you can find a bootleg copy of the Beatles documentary Neil Aspneil was working on back in 1970 “The long and winding road”. It’s pretty obvious George Harrison gave Eric a copy to do this movie. And don’t forget back in 1978 it would have been incredibly hard finding Beatles footage on this scale. So without George lending that unfinished documentary it’s unlikely the rutles would have got made.

[@TerryTutor-cv3hh]

Wonderful video .Peace and Love, Terry and Julia Tutor

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

the clip at 6:42 features richard lester the actual director of the beatles first 2 films. "the rutles" is the best beatles parody but the 2nd best must go to "walk hard: the dewey cox story" (2007). starring john c. reilly its about a rock star's journey through the history of r&r. ole dewey meets up with the beatles in india during their psychedlic period. there's 2 versions of the scene, though, one from the theatrical release and one from the directors cut. both versions are funny as is the whole movie. i highly recommend it. thanks for the video.

[@kenmills7512]

Part 1- LOVED your reviews/thoughts on "The Rutles" It was shocking how much they got 100% when I first saw "The Compleat Beatles" Video in 1982. This project is a labor of love, but also very spot on. So glad toy watch your video of this, Thank you.

[@cesarmadero05]

Seated to see it. I legitimately believe that George, being the fabulous defier of The Beatles "myth" in their history, would consider The Rutles more accurate than The Beatles Anthology when he feels to be a little bit contrarian. He quoted "the trousers" joke very much.

[@larsland]

George is soo good at being contrarian

[@cesarmadero05]

​@@larsland George, as a friend of Eric Idle, got a great chance to be involved in the scripting of the film. The producer Gary Weis said: "We were sitting around in Eric's kitchen one day, planning a sequence that really ripped into the mythology and George looked up and said, 'We were the Beatles, you know!' Then he shook his head and said, 'Aw, never mind. I think he was the only one of the Beatles who really could see the irony of it all." Harrison said: "The Rutles sort of liberated me from the Beatles in a way. It was the only thing I saw of those Beatles television shows they made. It was actually the best, funniest and most scathing. But at the same time, it was done with the most love." And considering biopics, it IS the best one! I agree! Eric Idle got lucky that he got access to the cut of Neil Aspinall's first version of the Anthology documentary: in the seventies it was "The Long and Winding Road" and I think someone got access with incredible archives from the first time where they got incredible clips that weren't not much in circulation yet. There's a lot of good stories to tell about it. The best thing to remember is the official name is not just The Rutles, it's ALL YOU NEED IS CASH, which it's so funny!

[@TTM9691]

He also was always quoting "shocked and stunned". You can see it in the actual "Anthology", he drops it in I think when he's talking about the reception down in Australia or something.

[@cesarmadero05]

@@TTM9691 That one was from the balcony they where, while in Melbourne, seeing a crowd of thousands greet the band. "We were stunned, but happy that there was a nice feeling, and that we were popular there. Everybody was saying. There are more people here than came to see the Queen.' Well, she didn't have any hit records. Even saying funny quips too. Yeah. I love that one!

[@Wungolioth]

This is awesome, subbed, and for the first time in a long time, considering your Patreon in the near future.

[@StevenMichals0812]

I saw the Rutles on TV in the 70s. They were great. Rutlemania was real!

[@RobotShlomo]

In case nobody hasn't said it yet, the guy who is in the photograph as Leppo is actually guitarist Ollie Hallsall. He was originally supposed to be in the film, however when NBC green lit the film they wanted Eric Idle to be in the McCartney role. Their reasoning was that they wanted Idle to featured more as he was more recognizable from Monty Python. Ollie Hallsall still plays and sings on the record, and is the vocal that Idle lip syncs to. His vocals were actually recorded at half speed, so they would sound closer to what McCartney sounds like. Sadly, Hallsall passed away in 1992 from a drug overdose. I was actually lucky enough to watch this in 1978 when it first aired on NBC. My older brother then brought home the soundtrack which I played over and over for years. It made a steady run on cable television and on PBS in the 80's. I think part of the reason it's so fondly thought of by Beatles fans is that it's never once mean spirited. And it's genuinely funny. My favorite is the Ron Decline bit when he whacks the guy with the newspaper.

[@derekroberts6654]

Because Eric resembles Paul McCartney

[@RobotShlomo]

@@derekroberts6654 As Eric and Neil Innes have told the story, the "official" reason was that Eric was writing it, and they wanted him to have a bigger role. I wouldn't doubt that Eric more resembled Paul, was one of the reasons Lorne Michaels and others had for making that decision.

[@Nazz1967]

Yeah The Rutles are cool ,i first saw the vhs in 1985 ! and been a fan since . Apparently there Georges guitars we see in the movie . Stig character is playing the real thing .

[@McLir]

I had the same question about the animators for Yellow Submarine Sandwich. You went past where I'd given up, so thank you. That sequence is just spectacular in its own right.

[@ChrisJohnsonChannel]

This movie was made just 8 years after the Beatles broke up. That’s crazy

[@larsland]

CRAZY right????

[@Kieop]

The main reason this is so dead on is that both Neil and Eric were Beatle friends/insiders. Neil, in particular, was close friends with Paul's brother Mike and Roger McGough was in Mike's band, the Scaffold, while as you know Neil's band appeared in Magical Mystery Tour performing Death Cab for Cutie. Paul McCartney produced their single I'm the Urban Spaceman under a pseudonym. [Part of the PID conspiracy contends that fellow bandmate Vivian Stanshall and Paul McCartney are in fact the SAME PERSON!] Neil would later be featured in some of George's music videos. He and Eric would become lifelong friends of George. They get the essence of the Beatles right because they knew The Beatles.

[@TTM9691]

That was GREAT!!! I've been dying to see a reaction to The Rutles.....but who could do such a video? (*sings* "only yooooou!") I was high fiving the screen every time you noticed something else! It was like the movie scored a goal or something! I'm like you, I can't stand any of the recreation biopics. George himself was always quoting the Rutles, and said he preferred the Rutles version of the Epstein's death clip to the real thing! :P. (John also loved The Rutles!) (Paul, not so much!) PS: I absolutely LOVED your rant. There are some loser Beatle fans that are absolute embarrassments, on every single video, just ignore them. We know these types in real life also. They are so un-Beatley, un-rock and roll, so.un-cool, little dweeby obnoxious nerds who regurgitate everything they read in the Beatle books they get for Xmas. PS: I"m sure you know by now but Neil Innes is "Magical Mystery Tour"! He was in Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. / The SNL cast DEFINITELY loved the Beatles, all of 'em. This is basically a fusion of Monty Python (Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Neil Innes is also affiliated) and SNL. /. The guy who played Leppo (Stu Sutcliffe parody) in the photos was Ollie Hassal, and he's the "Fifth" Rutle, he and Neil Innes wrote and recorded the music. Stig and Barry are "real" Rutles, but Eric Idle himself actually doesn't sing or play on the recordings themselves. But man oh man, he does a great Paul McCartney!!! His eyes, during the Royal Variety Performance. PSSS: The soundtrack album is great! I listened to it endlessly back in the day, it was like having another Beatle album. The second movie and later recordings and stuff, not nearly as good.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

One of the reasons this is so accurate is because Eric Idle was friends with George Harrison. For a number of years, the Beatles (maybe it was Neil Aspinall, maybe it was Mal Evans) had compiled a lot of footage through the years for what was then being called "The Long And Winding Road." Eric Idle watched a lot of this footage beforehand. A lot of what they had compiled ended up in the Beatles' "Anthology" in the mid-90's. And this was still only 1977/78. The Beatles story was still fresh in everybody's minds. Furthermore, Neil Innes (Ron Nasty) was in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. They played in "Magical Mystery Tour." So, he was around. I absolutely love the Rutles. Everything about them. The music is phenomenal. Songs like "Doubleback Alley" and "Let's Be Natural" are just incredible. The whole mockumentary is hilarious.

[@MattMcQueen1]

This movie is extremely, particularly, really, underrated. The songwriting and performances are incredible.

[@Nokorola]

I love this film so much. I was recommended it by the absolute pros at my local Suncoast Video back around 2004 or ‘05 and I absolutely loved it. They also recommended The Ghost Goes Gear which was The Spencer Davis Group’s film that was one of the many made after the success of A Hard Days Night.

[@Tony-yp7ok]

Great video. I’ve always loved the hidden jokes and references in this that only fellow Beatles nerds would spot - just brilliant. The music is great too, the guitar solo on I Must Be In Love being a bit wonky and slightly out of time is genius - just like the young George 😂

[@richardworrall5942]

Eric idle was one of the monty python, the Beatles were mates and fans of Monty python Neil Inness was a major member of the bonzo dog dooda band, everybody was rubbing up against each other in the early seventies, later on george Harrison financed Life of Brian film and financed Handmade films wich made the monty python films.eric idle would have the inside story of what really happened, probably from George Harrisons point of view.

[@nicholaslongford3052]

Well I'm new here. I friggin love this channel. I'm a fan....

[@mermaidtavern1603]

Luv your enthusiasm for this masterpiece of a movie 😄

[@jbartlet827]

Just discovered your channel. This is delightful! You need to check out Todd Rundgren and Utopia's "Deface the Music". They used various Beatles songs as inspiration and the whole CD is just brilliant. This was a great video!

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

The reason why there is no sound on the foot footage is possibly a copywrite thing. They used the song You Need Feet by Bernard Breslaw - itself a parody of You Need Hands by Des O’Connor. It’s on KZbin somewhere. Neil Innes is so spot on with his music. But then he always had a good ear for what made a good pop song, which helped. He did, indeed, write the songs based on his memories and not by listening to the songs. He had to swear an affidavit to this effect when ABC Music tried to sue him. And he knew the Beatles reasonably well too. Neil and Eric were good friends with George Harrison. When he was in the Bonzo Dog Doo/Dah band he recorded in the next studio to the Beatles. He was listening with his ear to the door when they recorded Penny Lane (and then, by his own admission, went back next door and inserted a piano piece to Piggy Bank Love that parodied the piano part in Penny Lane!) The Bonzo’s also appeared in Magical Mystery Tour, at Paul’s insistence. Neil was also good friends with Mike McGear (really Mike McCartney) who was Paul’s brother. He was in a band with Roger MCGough and John Gorman called The Scaffold and was also in a band with Neil called GRIMMS. (Which was an acronym of the members names, Gorman, Roberts, Innes, McGough, McGear, Stanshall). I adore Neil Innes and his music. I blubbed like a baby when he died. I never reacted like that with any other celebrity death. Incidentally, George and Ringo did an interview on U.K. TV in the mid 80s with Michael Aspell. When Aspell asked them how they felt when they heard the news of John’s death George looked straight to camera and said “I was shocked. And stunned”. Which I really appreciated. He was historical consultant on the Rutles and was very involved in the process.

[@sammywhammybar]

ITS HERE

[@larsland]

IT’S HERE

[@brewstergallery]

Hey there and thank you for reacting to this amazing and groundbreaking, hilarious mockumentary by Gary Weis. The people involved included the late great Neil Innes of Bonzo Dog Doodah Band fame as Ron Nasty, Ollie Halsall from Timebox, Patto, Boxer and Kevin Ayers band. Ollie played and sang on most of the songs and is Leppo in photos, John "Admiral" Halsey who plays drummer Barry Wom was also from Timebox and Patto , Ricky Fataar as Stig O Tracy who was in Flame and did a ton of session work on guitar and Eric Idle doing a killer take on Sir McCartney. Sadly Eric turned on Neil and wrecked a later Rutles album by claiming only he had rights to the concept even though they both came up with the idea as part of " Rutland Weekend TV " which ultimately left Neil penniless.

[@genebaughbba]

Trust me George Harrison was involved in the writing of these songs. You know about his cameo right when he's standing in front of Apple and people are walking out with all kinds of valuable things.

[@Kuesel68]

Best biopic, best mockumentary, best music movie, one of the best pythonesque comedy, and one of the best soundtracks ever. Innes was a genius and didn't parody The Beatles but honoured them with his songs. BTW no wonder it is so accurate - George Harrison was a longtime friend of Neil Innes' and Eric Idle's and helped them along, not only as the interviewer. Also some insights are given by Mick Jagger or Paul Simon during their interviews. There are footages around with their full interviews.

[@derekroberts6654]

This is gonna sound strange. To me Julian Lennon doesn’t sound like his dad, he always sounded more like Neil Innes to me… truth. That thought came to me when i saw this notification. 😂🤷‍♂️

[@luizansounds]

Damn Ricky Fataar being part of the rutles, he was part of the Flame and The beach boys

[@markvamos2400]

Love you Lars!!

[@larsland]

Love YOU mark!

[@dominicschaeffer909]

Neil Innes was recording at Abbey Road with The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band while The Beatles were recording Revolver. The Bonzos were the band in the cabaret in Magical Mystery Tour. Neil was musical director for Monty Python. He and George were best of friends. We’re talking mid-sixties. The Rutles Documentary is wonderful. Too bad you don’t show any of it, we might enjoy it.

[@ChrisJohnsonChannel]

One really as to know Beatles history to get the jokes and the gags in this movie 🎥 the whole film is just mocking the Beatles in a loving way of course

[@beansworth]

I have always thought, in the back of my mind, cheese and onions

[@ChromeDestiny]

The Rutles All You Need is Cash the interesting one cause it's one of the only times I know of where the parody was out before the real version, Idle and Inness were given an early rough cut of what became The Compleat Beatles documentary and they finished their parody nearly five years before The Compleat Beatles was finally released.

[@larsland]

Omg this is good extra info! Thank you!

[@dustandroktwok1447]

It was actually the rough cut of 'The Long And Winding Road' documentary that eventually became The Beatles Anthology

[@genebaughbba]

Orchids are one of the most durable flowering plants The blooms are very durable compared to other flowers.

[@davidcarter5038]

29:45 after four decades, I've only just noticed the mia farrow/sexy sadie reference. Plus there's a clip of George Harrison appearing on Rutland Weekend Television with Eric Idle to sing his pirate sone, kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpKZXqOZfbSimZIsi=1q8mcBtkcO9KQsBb

[@larsland]

Crazy right??! There are sooo many references. I think I’ll be finding them for decades too!! You’re a superfan. Where do you find rutleland footage?

[@davidcarter5038]

@@larsland Living in the UK, I got to see RWT as it happened. In truth, the material wasn't the strongest - the neil innes / rutles sketches were probably the best of the material - and it was transmitted late at night not in prime time. RWT was so named because Rutland was the smallest English county and ceased to exist (at least as a county) when it was merged with Leicestershire (Ithink?).

[@PeterBondeVillain]

Lars is a Dropout fan?? Stop being so perfect

[@larsland]

Huuuuge dropout fan. Lots of dropout refs in the yellow sub album vid!!

[@atleengelstad5303]

If you havent already, you should take on "This is the spinal tap" next.... Its an epic movie, with more memorable moments then any other "mockumentary" films ever!

[@genebaughbba]

And the record-burning made the original records that were still around more and more valuable.

[@monovision566]

I sing Cheese and Onions every day.

[@tonydalton459]

The Rutles is brilliant, and the more you know about the Beatles story, the funnier it is. Special mention to Neil Innes for the wonderful parody songs.

[@JeffSchall]

I wonder if anyone did a Beatles documentary that hits on all the points within the Rutles video. So, you'd watch entire Beatles video, then watch the Rutles video, and get every point. I want to share the Rutles with my kid, but he doesn't have a lot of background knowledge of the Beatles. So giving him a video showing the Beatles and then the parody would be ideal.

[@larsland]

I've heard that the Compleat Beatles is the closest and this film was based off of it. But I'd have to go by word on that... because I haven't seen it!

[@JeffSchall]

@@larsland Sounds great. And narrated by Malcolm McDowell, to boot! 🙂 Thanks kindly.

[@genebaughbba]

I don't claim to be as clean as Paul's grandfather but I am a beetle person. I think you'll enjoy this more having a thorough beetle background.

[@RuggeroBelloni]

Very funny and clearly proves that even parodies of Beatles tunes will have better melodies than most contemporary songs😊.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

The semi-legendary story of the Prefab Four who made the sixties what they are today

[@thomastimlin1724]

I saw the original USA broadcast in the late 1970's. I was in college had grow up with eh Beatles, had all albums, knew the whole story. This film made me lmao. I Iost it when George Harrison showed up as TV announcer while in the background people were stealing stuff from "Apple " offices. the very first cast of Saturday Night Live was in this for example... Dan Aykroyd as Brian Thigh, ex-record producer who turned down the Rutles, just as Decca had turned down the Beatles, a parody of Dick Rowe Gilda Radner as Mrs. Emily Pules Bill Murray as Bill Murray the K., a parody of Murray the K. Plus Saturday Night Live Producer and 2 writers: Lorne Michaels as Sleazy Merchandiser Al Franken as Ron Decline's Henchman [YES! THAT Al Franken!!] Tom Davis as Ron Decline's Henchma

[@vt-stv]

I really hope you get a chance to watch actual monty python (if you haven't yet) eric idle's antics are so funny.

[@larsland]

I’ve seen it!!! Amazing. and I saw a Monty python show on broadway in 2007!!!

[@timbaker6540]

Such an innovative film

[@paulgouldhawke7658]

At 31:29 George Harrison waves as he gets in the tent

[@bigwave25]

One of ‘em screamed in me ear 😭😂

[@larsland]

😂

[@nigeldelrocket]

I'm not Nasty but Ron is..... John L loved this saying "It's about time !" and Yoko loved she was depicted as a Nazi. Linda Macca loved this but Paul hated how he was depicted. YEAH LARS Do A DEEP DIVE ON ALL OF THIS AND THE VERY LATE AND GREAT NEIL INNES

[@jaewok5G]

it's about time that the Rutles are getting the attention they deserve.