The Beatles ‘64 Documentary on Disney+ Has It’s Flaws!

[@BruceColon-BSides]

I had low expectations for this and they were met. If you’ve seen The First U.S. Visit and Ed Sullivan DVDs, this brought nothing new to the table. This is not for hardcore fans anyway. The talking heads were all pretty lame. The surviving Beatles still look pretty good, but fer chrissakes someone please get Paul to stop with the same old, tired anecdotes already! Beyond tiresome. Yeah, I didn’t care for it at all.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You know I had a whole bit in my head about just what you say here Bruce! The lame interviews! I’m pinning this because I shot the whole video off the top of my head and just forgot to mention your excellent point brother! ❤

[@archangelmusic13]

even the washington clips were poor video quality. they couldn't even clean that up?and i thought they would at least make the drums sound better on those clips. but they didn't improve the sound.

[@BruceColon-BSides]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLineIt was so bad. That whole period has been covered to the point of nausea. I might drop my own review by year’s end, but it won’t be pretty. We’ll see. Part of me can’t be arsed. 😆

[@stormcop55]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine did I say something wrong???

[@48musicfan]

As of this writing, I have not watched the documentary yet. When I heard it included talking heads, it lowered my expectations even more. I’m sure I will view it at some point, but I’m not in a hurry. I’m also not a fan of Disney and am in no hurry to give them my money.😂 - Roger

[@MrKeychange]

I always thought the best way to feel what it was like in 1964 was the Spielberg & Zemeckis film "I Want To Hold Your Hand". That movie is a lost classic that needs a platform.

[@denniswood1437]

That movie, I Want to Hold Your Hand is so much fun and really captures genuine essence of Beatlemania. I just watched it on DVD.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Agreed MrKeyChange❤!

[@MrKeychange]

@@denniswood1437 Right? It also has a Back To The Future feel to it. A few of the same actors too.

[@joemcdonald7798]

Eddie Deezen, Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

[@adamfindlay7091]

Thanx

[@ralphdelrio5826]

If you are over 60 years old. You are obviously not the target market and might not get what you are watching. Nevertheless, it is a 5 Star Documentary. Well paced and straight forward. Great Soundtrack. It's great that the quality of this film is very good as well. It has cleaned up fine, sonically too! The The First US Visit film still stands on it's own. This fresh approach was long overdue. I hope there is more to come from the early years. The impact the Beatles had on the United States is incalculable and what they brought to this country in countless ways is still felt today. From the way we talk, dress and deal with each other in terms of music as art and its cultural impact. They are still the benchmark which is incredible.

[@josephblue4135]

As a 70-year-old I really enjoyed this documentary. I haven't seen the other documentaries about this time period.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Not seeing this before woulda helped me appreciate it more Joseph! ❤😊

[@johnurban7333]

As a man of your generation, I totally agree. Anything new and well done is worth it. People don't understand the historical importance of this film.

[@johnurban7333]

​@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine I don't understand how people don't understand what Martin Scorsese did. Quit looking at it like i need more new footage. Beatles people always think of themselves and what they want. This film is very well made. It covers a lot of the race relations and how The Beatles affected that. But I guess it's more important to see John tuning his guitar because you haven't seen that before.

[@aaronknight9759]

The cash grab is getting more desperate. The primary fan base is quickly dying off.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I fear you are right Aaron! So sad! ❤😢

[@robbielux8353]

What all of us long time Beatle fans have to realize is that these new documentaries are mainly to educate the youth and the importance of the Beatles on popular culture. It’s to turn new heads on to this amazing phenomenal group. It’s not necessarily for those of us who already know. I’m still gonna watch it because like everyone else, I still am fascinated by the Beatles..and yes they did help ease racial tensions by refusing to perform in front of a segregated audience forcing the venue to integrate everyone thus causing a chain reaction which pretty much ended segregated audiences in America and pretty much the world.

[@martincvitkovich724]

I was 12 when Kennedy was killed. I never knew the Beatles brought us through it ,never heard that narrative until a few years ago.

[@BrianRoberson-k7g]

I remember hearing that back in the 1980's. It gave the country something fun and new and positive to focus on.

[@debjorgo]

Yeah, it was shocking when we heard Kennedy was killed on the school PA. That was late November '63. The Beatles arrived in February '64. My mother and my sister went to church. There was some sort of revival going on. I don't think we usually had church Sunday night. My two brothers and I stayed home and watched the Beatles on Sullivan. I think the Beatles 'instant excitement' was just so much fun. I never did see how the Kennedy thing had anything to do with it.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I love your story Deb! I knew I wasn’t alone! ❤

[@johnurban7333]

Im surprised people don't understand what Martin Scorcese accomplished in this film. I loved it and thought it showed the impact they had in those 14 days. Beatle people just want Beatles footage because they seen everything. This film was made for everyone, not just Beatles people. Beatles people always look for something to complain about. I grew up with The Beatles and am happy to see anything new that's well done. This film captured that moment in time perfectly. How can anyone complain about Smokey Robinson being impacted by The Beatles

[@duncan9058]

…..and Smokey Robinson at the time was highly critical of the Beatles ‘copying’ him.

[@Riz2336]

All I remember is coming home from elementary school and hearing my first Beatles record my dad was playing on the turntable and I loved it immediately, one of the best rock bands ever

[@LarryGravesCanadianStudmuffin]

Well said, although I still enjoyed watching the film with my girlfriend, who also liked it. The Beatles are the best no matter what.

[@elliotgoldberg5657]

After the Ron Howard botch job a few years ago i had zero trust they would get Beatlemania right this time. I would never bother seeing this one!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You won’t be missing much Elliot! ❤

[@williamlangan5902]

I thought the Ron Howard movie was well done. It wasn’t pretentious.

[@elliotgoldberg5657]

@@williamlangan5902 i have to admit the chance to see the Shea Stadium performance on the big screen was a true thrill. Kudos to Giles Martin for excellent sound quality 👏

[@richbailey8174]

My wife and I watched it the other night....we thought it was a big nothing. They just mixed up the expanded version of the Beatles First Visit to the US with the Washington DC show film which was already available. Mixed in were old clips from the Anthology film and the now obligatory "Head shot" interviews. Some of those were interesting. Each segment used from the "First Visit" was too long and many of them weren't any good. They show at least 2-3 scenes of girls trying to get into the hotel where they were staying. There were many odd and out of place clips, like the one with Leonard Bernstein "conducting" a tape of "She Said She Said". There didn't seem to be a guiding "theme". It was more like they took a bunch of random stuff from KZbin and mashed them together at random by a high school AV class!

[@keithbartlett8926]

They should have done the Peter Jackson approach and let the original footage tell the story and no talking heads.

[@keriford54]

Great reaction, thanks, very thoughtful as always. When Get Back came out, it was a revelation, it inspired new insights into their creative process and band dynamics while making Let it Be, New year 1969. There were no talking heads, no use of music from the wrong time period, it took you to a specific time and place and immersed you in it. This documentary was just pleasant. A total missed opportunity, I'm not sure I fully agree with you that it has to be just about the music alone. I think your point about lifting the USA out of a slump from the Kennedy assassination is well made, but they did definitely have a significant cultural impact, pinning down what that was is hard, but the footage should have all been of the time. There was too much material that took you out of the time and place. There should have been more Beatles songs used, would also have been nice to have that music set beside some of the other music from the time, to paint the musical environment. I do think that there will be subsequent documentary movies made of importance, their story is so compelling, but this is not it.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I’m glad you feel I’m not alone in thinking this documentary could have been so much more Keri! ❤

[@michaellalli7693]

Thank you for this review!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You are so very welcome Michael, and right back atcha brother! ❤

[@tonyolivieri3345]

Another superb offering Michael Noland...................and a blessed Merry Christmas!!!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You’re a true gentleman and a scholar! Merry Christmas to you as well Tony! ❤

[@johnalello9233]

Great review Michael lots of good facts you made lots of sense! I did enjoy the documentary Beatles '64 nice quality picture and audio i would loved to see more of Washington DC concert and more of Ed Sullivan and Miami Beach TV show but overall i loved the interviews on the streets of NewYork City just like Rooftop concert! Glad Disney plus is bringing more Beatles product like Get back let it be now Beatles '64. Hopefully we can see Anthologies 1-2-3 and maybe Yellow submarine and Magical mystery tour A hard days night and Help! Streaming on one Site enjoyed all your thoughts Michael! Hopefully Apple and Disney plus give us an updated cleaned up 4k version of the Anthologies and maybe a 30 year anniversary anthology 4 ABC showed Anthologies back in the day Disney and ABC own each other this could happen soon! Thanks Michael love your show!

[@ronmartin4212]

And the Capiphone project-hopefully next year!!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Yeah the apologies rocked John! ❤

[@markrothery5720]

What I want is a official definitive live album called the touring years.

[@lumpygravy52]

Elvis opened the door for them.

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

I am inclined to agree with you. Too pompous.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I kept fighting the urge to recite the pledge of allegiance Peter! ❤😂

[@royceinthehouse842]

Very good review on this Michael. I haven't seen it yet nor is it a priority after what I'm hearing. I liked the way you came at this review.

[@DrGerard66]

Brilliant insights as always. "Judge on the music, and the music alone" - well said. *Way* too much attention is paid to the peripheral stuff which in my opinion devalues their true achievement. In terms of the new records - I have the boxset, but having listened to it I'd say "Meet the Beatles", "Beatles '65" and "The Early Beatles" are the keepers. They've done an excellent job of the mastering and it breathes fresh life into the songs.

[@bradley8368]

I actually enjoyed the film, but I’ve got to agree with you Michael; it makes little sense to argue that the Beatles lifted America out of its malaise after the Kennedy assassination, when the people who were most affected by the event were the people who would be least impacted by the arrival of a British pop group. The reasons why the Beatles had the impact they did are far more complex than that. You could literally write a book, and many have, attempting to explain why the Beatles had the impact that they did. They were young, handsome, and foreign. The music was far more interesting than anything that was being offered to the American youth at that time. They were literally in the right place at the right time. And on and on. Girls wanted to *ahem* have relationships with them, boys wanted to be them. The whole Kennedy association is a totally contrived interpretation of events that has little to no relevance.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You know Bradley, even in slight disagreement, it’s great when we can find a common ground to agree upon! Thanx brother! ❤👌👍

[@RichardBrown-h3y]

The depression after JFK’s murder was real to me. I was 14, when the Beatles came to the US. They did lift us teens out of our misery.

[@kthevsamig4958]

@@RichardBrown-h3ythat’s a lie brother

[@christopherhahn6728]

Love your take, Michael. The Beatles were a great band, but that's it. Let's not idolize them.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thanx Christopher! I’m just hopin’ to survive the onslaught of comments brother! ❤😂

[@anthonyvigliotti6560]

I think you make excellent points here, Michael. For hardcore fans, not much new here. Newer fans will enjoy most of the movie, though. And boy oh boy, I totally agree with you on the JFK "connection": way overblown. While it sounds interesting, like you say here, that "theory" started years ago then got repeated over and over. IMO: it's revisionism. The Beatles were already huge throughout Europe BEFORE they arrived in the U.S. In fact, they had already broke in Canada, too. With Capitol's marketing and a stupendous single in "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and a bona fide killer LP in "Meet", they were ready to take America by storm regardless of the JFK tragedy. Thanks for a real take on this movie.

[@kirahastings9900]

Thank you for bringing up the marketing, which none of these documentaries ever mentions. Capitol spent $50k (a huge sum then) to publicize The Beatles. You couldn't walk into the huge Woolworth's in San Francisco without being bombarded with the album playing at a front counter and their handing out a free newspaper about them (and which misspelled Paul's name and switched his name with George's). I expected them to fail on Ed Sullivan. Alas, I fell in love instead. As for this "new" documentary, meh.

[@Gino65]

Absolutely Michael ! It's about the music only.

[@frankwalton7323]

I agree with you 100% Michael. Revisionist history taints The Beatles story again. Ron Howard did the same thing. I am disappointed but won't be seeing it anyway . Unfortunately Beatle product is now out of reach for me financially speaking. I will however buy Mark Lewshons next installment of Tune In if he ever gets it out.

[@duncan9058]

You nailed it. Revisionist history. A joke.

[@adelosman7524]

100% correct Michael. Hello from Cairo

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thanx Adelosman! Hiya back from the states! ❤

[@williamhallett5657]

I’m a huge Beatle fan. I was born in ‘65 so I didn’t live through this era really, and although I have seen tons of documentaries on them from the Compleat Beatles, Anthology, miscellaneous independent documentaries etc as well as the Wd Sullivan DVD set and the First US Visit. When I saw the trailer for this it reminded me of the 1970s when Capital Records kept re-packaging their catalog to make more music, such as the album Reel Music. I had desire to see this and probably won’t, even though they are my all time favorite band.

[@paullynn473]

Waiting for the documentary on One Direction 😂

[@aminahmed2220]

Awesome video Matthew Michael have a great weekend also I have lost my voice from a cold and also happy first week of December ❤😢😊😊

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Hope you get your voice back soon brother! ❤ Blessings as always Amin! ❤

[@timothyflyte9443]

Enjoyed your video. I was 8 years old in Feb.'64. I agree with you & most of the commentors who were young back then. We didnt really know or care about the politics of the era. The Beatles were cool. Ive got the first us visit on vhs and dvd with the bonus tracks. Glad to hear Im not missing much here. I was hoping the live performances would have better sound. These modern documentaries do tend to bevto serious.

[@matthewstreet1961]

Always love hearing your insights on Beatles projects Michael. Nice to see that we shared some similar thoughts. Cheers! 🎄🎅❤️🎶🎵🎼🍻

[@sugarjoe50]

It would be more enjoyable for young fans or those who never knew much about the Beatles U.S. arrival.

[@mjemigh3304]

Exactly! This film wasn't created for us old farts. We're becoming a smaller and smaller audience as the years go on.

[@brendongomez8267]

Great job! I agree w all your points! As a hardcore fan since I was 4 in 1981, I hated this doc for these reasons 1. Elaine Kim - using her version of All My Loving is like using Ace of Base in 1995 to sing In My Life at the beginning of Anthology to appeal to a younger demographic 2. Where is Brian Epistein? He made the mania happen, where’s the respect? Are we so shallow we think The Beatles just came on their own to the US 3. Discussing chord changes. Like the recent Beach Boys doc, no one talks about the chord changes, harmonies, only what it makes one ‘feel’. It’s as if no one wants to know how the melodies are created 4. Identity politics / side stories that have nothing to do w the Beatles - yes it all comes from the Blues, and everyone has a backstory but this is about the Beatles…and why did that one guy say his dad was an abusive republican - then we might as well say Lennon was an abusive democrat - who cares? It’s about the music 5. Smokey Robinson Yesterday- I love Motown but why hear a song from 1965 in a doc about 1964? 6. The Shea Stadium show is still in the vaults for what? Let’s just rerelease the Beatles US visit to appeal to kids..great job Apple 7.The name of this doc should have been Beatles 64 US Tour, not Beatles 64..in 64 they had a world tour after the US tour. Between this doc and Midas Man, Lennon and Harrison are laughing in disgust

[@MikeLeePhoto]

Mike I will stick with my original DVD "The First US Visit" 83 mins of the Boys al the way.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Me as well Mike! ❤

[@ronmartin4212]

I had a ton more on the Capitol boot series.

[@ronmartin4212]

On the Capitol boot DVD series,the entire airport scene,including the plane actually landing,was included.The entire press conference was included.The series was exhaustive in having whatever footage was shot,some it pretty lengthy,was included.The First US visit covered most,but the Capitol series covered the rest.(Meet the Beatles,The Beatles Second DVD,Yeah,Yeah,Yeah-coverung the Hard Days Night era,with the Denmark footage,5 hours of Aussie footage,including the rainstorm/tarmac ride thru the airport,the plane coming in was included,the entire Shell concert,Adelaide(biggest crowd at the Charting Cross hotel,where they're on the balcony,waving,and George does a Deustchland maneuver(wouldn't go over well today,for sure)If you can find the series,at least 60 2 hour DVDs thru the Let It Be era,it's well worth it!!

[@MikeLeePhoto]

Hi Ron yes here in Sydney also a few years ago our Channel Nine came across the Melbourne Concert at Festival Hall. They restored it. all cleaned up ,Hiigh Def and Widescreen . Looks fantastic.So clear and no scratches!

[@RobScuremusic]

I watched this documentary yesterday and quite frankly I was getting bored halfway through. Maybe I expected to much. I agree with your view of the opening sequence. I'm sure the Beatles would have had the same impact on the youth of America if they had arrived here before November 22, 1963.

[@larryzink8978]

Really underestimating the cultural paradigm shift that they on the tip of the spear , they were, intentionally or not, the most important cultural touchstone since WW2. At least for the western world. Their image was way more powerful than even their music. Their image was the epitome of modernity's sweeping changes, Vietnam, the pill, recreational drugs, political activism, alternative life styles. Your lens is understandably MUSO , that's your take, but in terms of media the were at the center of pretty much every shift. Just a fact.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Great opposite take Larry! I do concede your point in the media! ❤

[@Jaybroney]

that’s funny. This video came up when I open KZbin because when looking for something else to watch on Disney+, I ran across this very film. After watching your video and putting that along side of my overall opinion of Disney in the 21st-century, I don’t think I’ll bother wasting my time you save me a lot of irritation. so no spoiler for me as far as your description of the field goes. Anything I can’t stand is pomposity and I would’ve likely not gotten through the whole thing anyway but thank you for saving me from even that punishment.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You are more than welcome Jay! It’s been a weird year for Beatle releases, some good,, some bad, some just plain sad! ❤

[@David-u1v7p]

Hey, Michael! Remember, the Beatles were bigger than Jesus Christ! Why couldn't they be America's saviors?

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL! So true David! ❤😂

[@TJRtheOriginal]

I was 2 years old in 64....still a little too young to have experienced the Beatles in the 60's. I remember when I was a young teenager, my mother shared her memories of the JFK assasination and did her best to convey to me how sad the nation was over it. Even at that age it was hard for me to comprehend it all, but at least I was old enough to be able to "begin" to comprehend it. As I watched The Beatles 64 last weekend I Inwardly questioned that bit about the Beatles helping America to heal from the assassination of JFK and thought to myself: That feels like a bit of a stretch. But I also thought: I'm too young to comment on it. Thanks talking about it here. I think you are probably right. For the adults of the time period that where truly devastated by the assassination of JFK, I think the most The Beatles might have provided is a bit of a distraction.

[@paulrodriguez8852]

Mike The problem is? They didn't go more into.more musical performances, and more from 1964 could have been added like A Hard day's night, and others. That's the main problem most Beatles fans are having about the documentary.

[@jameswilson7084]

"The First US Visit" is a much better documentary on the topic of The Beatles' first visit to America. "Beatles '64" has very little Beatles live clips. "The First US Visit" was much better in that regard. And "The First US Visit" was sequential in its presentation. "Beatles '64" was all over the place. This was a good documentary for newer fans, but the older Beatles fans had to be disappointed by this new documentary. I won't bother getting this on physical media, should it get released. And the digital soundtrack album is also a disappointment. No Beatles live Washington or Ed Sullivan Show tracks at all.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Well said my friend, I’m glad you brought that up! ❤

[@mjemigh3304]

I guess I'm not surprised that we old people don't care for this film. We are NOT the target audience! Put your head into a twenty year old mindset and watch it again. You'll love it!

[@ralphdelrio5826]

Probably the only smart post here. 😉

[@TheyCametoaLandDownunder]

BTW - "its flaws" should be "its flaws". No apostrophe in this situation!

[@xaviercallobre6822]

I'm glad SOMEBODY besides me notices these things. It seems that the majority of Americans misuse either or both.

[@TheyCametoaLandDownunder]

@@xaviercallobre6822 Thanks! Could be a generational thing. Teachers still taught gramma and punctuation at my school!

[@jeffzimmerman9928]

I hated it . Seemed like a typical Christmas cash grab from the , " All We Need is Cash" Collection . Thanks for ruining The Beatles Disney .

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You’re not alone, the whole thing was a let down Jeff! ❤😢

[@johnpbh]

I Feckin' loved this review of this documentary. To be honest, I didn't even know there was a documentary coming out... And I am a dyed in the wool Beatles nut... and have been ever since I heard their first single in Britain in 1962. I love your take on their place in history... and more especially your take on why they are the legends they are... THE MUSIC. Now I need to go and sit through most of what I have seen already for those 17 minutes. They way I read this is that it feeds Paul's need to be relevant instead of him just retiring quietly. know for sure if John had still been around he would have been scathing about it...!!!

[@iloveutubesince3207]

John being scathing about everything Paul did, what a surprise.

[@johnpbh]

@@iloveutubesince3207 Sadly that's the way it is. Everyone has an opinion. He wrote some gorgeous music so not sacthing about everything.

[@rhinog100g7]

BINGO!!!!

[@rayname908]

Disney takes a 15 minute bonus feature and tries to get people to pay for streaming a rehash with bland interviews. Only the 1964 extra footage and the cover of Yesterday were interesting.

[@williamhallett5657]

I’m a huge Beatle fan. I was born in ‘65 so I didn’t live through this era really, and although I have seen tons of documentaries on them from the Compleat Beatles, Anthology, miscellaneous independent documentaries etc as well as the Ed Sullivan DVD set and the First US Visit. When I saw the trailer for this it reminded me of the 1970s when Capital Records kept re-packaging their catalog to make more music, such as the album Reel Music. I had desire to see this and probably won’t, even though they are my all time favorite band. In other words, I think this was unnecessary.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Disclaimer: I haven't seen the film yet. However, I tend to agree with Michael regarding the over-reaching that happens with revisionism of everything these days especially regarding The Beatles. Fans who are not sycophants can have a hard time as those who are will be ready to rip into anyone who dares make a claim that is not positive. I think these exaggerations usually hold very little if any merit, after all John made some of the humblest reviews of his ex-band than anyone (some very harsh). Wild statements like The Beatles broke down communist Russia are nonsense views put forward by many are ridiculous. The Beatles remain the ultimate band in our history of popular culture. They were a phenomenon whose musical genesis, formation and development into the remarkable have no equal. They turned pop/rock music into an artform like no other had done so before and yes it had a huge impact, and this still continues today. But so many claims are just childish including the JFK statements and inferences. Looking at the audiences during that period how many people over 40 were in the crowds screaming away. These embellishments annoy me because they are not warranted nor are they needed. Michael's words on this are articulate, well-argued and break it down into common sense. The Beatles the best popular band in history - absolutely. So why do we need to make up stories and theme lines that are not accurate. Just tell the truth. Oh, and they were not the first to step on the moon!

[@MoneyCrespin]

Yes! 💯

[@ToddSauve]

I'll tell you Michael, you spoke the absolute truth that parents _hated_ the Beatles, and rock and roll in general back in the 1960s and 70s! Anyone who says differently must not have been there! Good grief! I could quote to this day the coarse words my dad had about it all but KZbin would delete the comment! LOL! 🎸🎸🎸💖😎

[@DarrellS54]

Apple should have just reissued " The First U.S. Visit " film instead.

[@keithbertschin1213]

Great take Michael. Very angry that this documentary was flagged as something special when it’s such a dud.

[@MIB_63]

I enjoyed the documentary for what is was. Nothing revelatory if you have watched The First US Visit. But the restored footage/sound and the recent interviews made it worthwhile warching. I guess it's mostly targeted to newcomers as a slightly superficial, polished introduction to this particular period in the Beatles' career. 3½ stars out of 6.

[@noahbody9747]

I bought a DVD several years ago titled, I think, the Beatles 1st US trip. It was about 45 to 60 minutes, can't remember since it's been so long since I've viewed the movie. If most of the new film contains most of the original film from the version I saw, then yet it's not for me.

[@therealinformalmusic]

The trope, that The Beatles became popular in the US at a time when the whole country was still in a malaise from mourning the death of JFK, was not uncommon in biographies of the group; I have not read it lately but I believe •Beatles Forever• by Nicholas Schaffner might be one that pushed that trope. Various documentaries on rock and roll also made the not dissimilar assertion that the death of JFK caused a void which The Beatles filled. Maybe British-made documentaries pushed that assertion for I am astonished that so many commenters from the US had not already seen and read what I thought was a common-though, of course, not necessarily accurate-trope.

[@sammcbride2149]

I'm going to go way off topic here and mention that I love baseball and have my whole life. There was a documentary series about the history of baseball by the highly-acclaimed Ken Burns. I tried watching that documentary and found it totally unwatchable. It took itself so seriously and slathered so many gooey emotions all over baseball that I was embarrassed to watch it. So I'm not a fan of that unctuous approach to subjects that are meant to be fun. There was some of that in The Beatles '64. So I agreed with what you were saying about that aspect of it.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Ken Burns stuff comes off that way sometimes I agree Sam! ❤

[@dawnofthefrank7712]

Would probably buy a the Soundtrack if one is released but what i really want and it seems to be getting put off is a Rubber Soul release like Revolver got!

[@gregoryfeo6837]

How are those POST IT'S doing in the mono record notes? Didn't know they were around in 1964!

[@sonoftherabbitpeople4737]

I don't support Disney. I had to wait for a long time to get to see Get Back. I'll probably watch the 64 movie if it ever becomes available, just for my collection. Thanks for the head's up Michael. I don't think I'll hold my breath waiting for it though.

[@Paul_Wetor]

I have "The First U.S. Visit" on DVD and it holds up better, since it's all about following them. This new version (which it really isn't) adds footage that isn't special, as far as I can see. They also cut parts out to make room. This isn't three hours long. The interviews are somewhat interesting, but also break up the telling of the story. I'm a DVD collector and if this comes out on disc, I'm not sure I'd buy it. The Maysles brothers did an extraordinary job, they deserve the credit. P.S. One new clip shows the formerly off-camera girl holding a microphone. Interesting, but it doesn't add to the Beatles' storyline. That's why it was cut. What I did find interesting was when all four were so fascinated by listening to their own voices on the audio recorder headphones (the audio recorder was separate from the film camera). Despite being filmed and photographed so much, they probably never had really heard their own voices. This was pre-Hard Day's Night.

[@Bigeazy87]

Happy Holidays Michael! Count me as one of those who had seen all of the 90% previously available footage on past documentaries. Yes, the footage looks better and the Washington D.C. concert sounds better (although I haven't done the headphone thing yet, it sounds clearer on the TV speakers.) On the race relations aspect, that story has always been percolating. In fact there could have been a mention of the Beatles insistence their Jacksonville concert later in 1964 be played to an integrated audience. And to give credit where it is due, Frank Sinatra opened many doors for top shelf Black artists particularly in Las Vegas. Finally, the JFK angle, which has to begin with the first touching of American soil by the band was at the newly renamed John F. Kennedy Airport. To be clear I was born while Abbey Road was being recorded, so I'm relying on my parents and uncles for perspective. Your spiel on the effect on kids and adults isn't debatable. My sister had her 2nd birthday in December 1963. The kids did their kids thing and the grown-up folks were quiet. My dad was 26, but it was my mom (23 at the time) who took Kennedy's passing harder. She's now 84 and not over it. As for my uncle then 15, the Beatles represented a new generation of music that wasn’t Elvis (who my uncle loved as a kid and we played Elvis' There will be peace in the valley at my uncle's memorial in May.) The Beatles were the gateway but it was the Stones nearest and dearest to my uncle's heart. One aunt who was age 16 was a Motown girl, and the Beach Boys had a lot of love also. Point being it was a cultural and generational shift, and from my view it does include all of it. Music, clothing, hairstyles, world view, and anything else related. If you have 2 hours to spare, PBS did a fantastic documentary about the year 1964 which fleshes all of this out very well.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I love your whole story BigEasy! What a time our youth was brother! ❤

[@Bigeazy87]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Calling the Beatles saviors is too much. However, the song I Want to Hold Your Hand replaced at #1 was There I've Said It Again by Bobby Vinton (4 weeks #1). Before it, Dominique by The Singing Nun spent 4 weeks at #1, and the week before was Kennedy's assassination. Too easy to say the world did like the Wizard of Oz and went from black and white to color. But... these things did happen.

[@williamlangan5902]

So you have to hear a bunch of outsiders tell you how the Beatles “saved America from the Styx” before you get to the best part at the end. Typical of Disney. I won’t bother Santa for a copy!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Yeah it’s not on my Santa’s list either William! ❤

[@13thBeatleJr]

I’ll keep my bootleg DVD of the complete What’s Happening in the USA. 70 mins plus 15 mins of extra footage. There was nothing new this had all come out in 1991 on VHS.

[@ericbgordon1575]

I'm curious, Michael. Is the book you read titled The Boys from Liverpool? That's one of my favorite Beatles biographies, even though it was published in 1980 and almost immediately rendered out of date when John issued Double Fantasies and got killed himself. It did place some emphasis on the assassination of John F. Kennedy as a juxtaposition for when the Beatles first came to the US. I have no Disney subscription (despite considering getting one), so I'm unlikely to see this documentary.

[@bobtausworthe]

I enjoyed this documentary. What I'm sad about is that the soundtrack seems to have remixes of the recorded songs. I was hoping they'd run some of the live performances through the Peter Jackson AI and we'd get some cleaned up live performances. What a wasted opportunity

[@Foul_Quince]

I tend to disagree, respectfully - I think any story about music is 20% about the actual music at most. You can't understate the cultural impact of the Beatles in 1963/64 - for better or for worse (some cranky old conservatives like me probably would have seen it as a bad thing then). I'm a little younger than you - I was born in a week when they had 7 of the top 10, so my sharpest early memories were of them breaking up and everybody sort of going "meh". But The Beatles were the tip of a cultural spear - and that spear had previously been tipped by the young, sexy Kennedys and young, sexy Elvis and young sexy Marlon Brando - et al. They didn't cure America of anything, I think you're right and i think it might have been Ian McDonald who suggested they did, they just stepped in to carry on what had already started. They were the next level (bad mixed metaphor coming up) of the great wave that was changing the world. The Beates were seldom the first of anything, but due to their talent and fame they were social magnifiers. The door they came through was already open, they just invited their mates to the party after they got there. Disney is usually the culprit for re-writing history, and they love to co-opt big cultural legends and bend them to their own agenda. Let's be thankful they didn't do it this time! 🙂

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Thanx for your perspective Quince! Good to hear the other side of the coin Brother! ❤

[@denniswood1437]

The problem with Beatles '64 is that it is concentrating more on the social significance of the Beatles arrival as opposed to the sheer joy, fresh hope, wacky fun and pandemonium they brought to people.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Well said Dennis, I’m glad you brought that up! ❤

[@ronmartin4212]

I had at least 10 of the 60 Capitol DVD boots covering '64.And a few other series ones that covered a lot more.There was at least 10-15 minutes more footage of the train ride to Washington alone.

[@rachelsghost]

This is one I was looking forward to, Michael. I sooooo relate to this take. Pundits like to portray the Fabs as the second coming. They did in fact help change the world in look, attitude, and music... but things soured quickly in 1966 and the world quickly moved on as other equally pressing events clamored for attention. 👍🔥

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Well said Rachel. Damn them pundits anyway! ❤

[@JasonMAlexander]

So I’ve watched BEATLES 64 twice. Well 2 1/2 times lol. I have a mixed review. The original footage is great! It’s a great primer for new fans or people that are interested in the history of that time. It did keep me fixed at least all the footage of the Beatles. Upon subsequent viewings I’ve realized what was not sitting right with me; it’s very pompous and really exemplifies the cliche of the self important baby boomer! Martin Scorsese and some other dude made it and they interview people who were kids at the time. People their own age. The arrival of the Beatles, as important as it was, is treated as the Coming of The Messiah. They arrive a few mos after Kennedy’s assassination, the country is in mourning and wounded. Here come the Beatles to bring joy back to America! For many kids & teens that was certainly true but to the country at large, the adults, it was merely an annoying curiosity. They were like Cabbage Patch Kids, Elmo dolls, Fortnite, etc… The parents still had the real world to deal with and weren’t thinking “oh man all this fear, uncertainty & anger I feel bc the Prez was murdered isn’t so bad anymore thanks to those 4 lads from Liverpool! THANKS BEATLES!” The doc is very miopic and we don’t learn a lot about The Beatles at that time. I would HIGHLY recommend watching the Maysles Bros doc about the visit and a recent doc about the Maysles Bros themselves. Anyway I still recommend it to Beatles fans on the condition that you’re not expecting any major revelations or insight. That’s my 2 cents!

[@adamfindlay7091]

Pretty sure most filmage of Beatlemania has been heard/ seen by most.☮️ The Beat bros are the only band i listen to anymore. If you dont feel it in the music i Don't bother with product grab etc.

[@roywatson8133]

most of this came out on a dvd in 2004 thats all i need

[@auramac]

Its.

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

You have a good point that the kids weren't as traumatized by the JFK assassination as the adults (we would all be hit much harder 16 years later), and that most of the adults in '64 had little interest nor liking for the Beatles. I suppose that those in their late teen to 20s might have had more of an emotional impact by the assassination and then would have been uplifted by hearing the Beatles. I think the film got offtrack with a little too much time with Jack Douglas and then Smoky Robinson singing "Yesterday" (a '65 song). I liked the new footage of Paul and Ringo.

[@WhitbyStuff]

I like the joke about flaws by having a flaw in the thumbnail.

[@owensclock]

America was sad. Its president had been struck down by an assassin's bullet. Then the Beatles arrived and America was happy again, kind of like a sugar high. I was 16 when the Beatles arrived in '64. I don't remember it that way. This idea was fashioned by middle-aged writers who were trying to explain why the Fab 4 were so popular with the kids.

[@zuni1919]

I guess I would say, why did 73 million families watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan if it was just a regular thing? I get what you are saying, but maybe they did not do it, yet the distraction of the Beatles and their kids obsessing took away the adult's angst of what was happening in the country at that time. Just a thought.

[@davidkornblatt851]

Micheal Jacksons Thriller has sold probably way more than any particular Beatles record! 34X platinum 70 million copies worldwide

[@jboard3094]

The beatles by their own admission couldn't read music and i have for many years had a sneaky feeling ghost writers and session players were involved in this tavistock institution tool. George Martin was a musical genius. Edit; truth! Good video thank you

[@dougsusie2319]

What?

[@ralphdelrio5826]

Oh Brother...

[@drmusic3641]

The whole myth about them being the saviors to the US after the Kennedy assassination has gotten out of hand. My wife just added Disney plus so I was going to watch this but now after listening to your review, I think I'll skip it. Just another rehash with "bait' added to get you to sit through it. They better start increasing the frequency of the deluxe sets instead of paltry items like this film and the US vinyl box because the fans are sadly disappearing

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You’re so right brother! I’m with you, if it ain’t on deluxe sets, I’m out too! ❤

[@daytripper9222]

I'm a first generation Beatles fan, but I have to tell you I didn't care for this at all.

[@MeanMrMustard1]

I've been to several Walmarts. I haven't seen any of the US albums.

[@alanlinfield8207]

The truth of the Beatles' cultural impact lies between two of the points you cited from the documentary. John saying that the Beatles were simply chosen to represent all the changes that occurred in the sixties - musical, cultural, political - is a gross under-estimation. (And I think John knew this. He was just being modest and leaving some room to credit all of the other mighty movers and shakers of his generation. And I'm more than fine with that.) But saying that the Beatles brought racial harmony to our society is over-selling their influence. (Damn, I never thought I would say/write that!) Many, many entertainers and political figures and spiritual leaders in the fifties and sixties combined were responsible for improving race relations. The Beatles were a very important PART of that progress. They were part of several very positive movements. We can say that and still maintain some perspective, can't we? Perhaps the book you're thinking of is Nicholas Schaffner's The Beatles Forever. It does start off with the Beatles arrival in New York city and Schaffner does write about Beatlemania helping America recover from mourning the assassination of JFK. I don't think he went overboard with this idea, though. Schaffner also says the Beatles gave the music industry a much-needed shot in the arm in 1964. But it does appear that this documentary (and Macca) went a tad overboard on this view and other modern day interpretations of the Beatles influence. I can think of two reasons for the "overboarding." First, there is not much left in the vault to be seen and heard and there is not much new to say or write about the Beatles conquering of America. Lacking anything new, the producers decided to embellish their tale. Second, as with many productions from the Mouse, there is an impulse to impose certain w*** philosophies of today on their narrative. Another great and thoughtful video, Michael. I think the off-the-cuff approach served you well for this topic. Thanks for posting!

[@isadoreladuca7532]

Sorry. I was 8 years old, and I'm a male. I did feel the craziness from girl fans was too much, but I have to admit I instantly wanted to be them. If you say they should be judged just by the music, why did fashion change overnight? As a boy I immediately felt that the "Elvis look" was dead. I don't understand it even now, but as a child I knew nothing was ever going to be the same.

[@brianmoran1968]

I signed up for Disney plus and can’t stream it. Can’t call Disney plus.

[@alanlinfield8207]

Damn, what a Mickey Mouse outfit.

[@mattgaskell945]

The Maysles original film captured the excitement of the visit and the music. The energy in this one falls flat too often with too much talking head footage and miscellaneous footage.

[@musiclassica]

Talking about flaws, it’s ITS and not IT’S in your title.

[@samuelmath1723]

Well, they should have called the documentary "Beatles '63" instead. I know. It's a bad joke.

[@stevebird9510]

Could the Author of that book be Hunter Davies. I had that book many years ago...also , just about everything Disney puts out is Trash in my opinion.

[@jonkotick5233]

Leave it to Disney to set the bar at its highest point and then crawl under it. I have no desire to watch this rehash compilation. My belief at this point is to have zero faith in Disney on any new projects. I also agree 100% about the way they have taken Paul's words and turned the Beatles into saviors at the expense of Kennedy. As far as giving John having the last word in many documentaries ... John started the group and as far as I'm concerned, ended the group. He was half of the talent he was in The Beatles as a solo artist.

[@tonyfox7510]

The talking heads were mostly an intrusion in this documentary. I expected much more considering all the hoopla generated by Apple and the media but it turned out to be a nothingburger.What a waste of a golden opportunity!

[@petersheely7246]

👍🤪😎

[@13thBeatleJr]

Like Eight Days A Week by Ron Howard. Another missed opportunity. 👎🏻

[@archangelmusic13]

michael i would appreciate if you could review my compleat beatles remake documentary, i told you about it before.

[@TigerRogers0660]

Sounds like another cash grab to me Michael !!

[@moonlightlove27]

Tthe Doors > The Beatles.