A Hard Day's Night
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Movie Reviews of A Hard Day's Night
Movie Review: The Best of them All
Summary: 5 Stars
This film was long overdue in DVD. The quality is superb and I am more confident with the longevity of the DVD over my older VHS copy. Yes, they did tinker with the screen ratio aspect of the original film to make it appear as if it is widescreen. Remember that at one time the same thing was done with GONE WITH THE WIND to make it appear as if it was Cinemascope. I forgive the current A HARD DAY'S NIGHT release for this commercially targeted ploy based on the high quality of the rest of the movie.
In my opinion this is the best of the Beatles films. It is a fictionalized version of a day in the life (pun intended) of the Beatles in those early hectic days. Inserted into the mix is actor Wilfred Brambell playing the part of Paul's mischief prone grandfather. The dialogue comes off so naturally that many assumed there was no script at all. In fact, the film was carefully scripted by screenwriter Alan Owen after he spent several days with the Beatles. The movie was directed by Richard Lester (The Three Musketeers). Lester was an up and coming director with several short films to his credit already. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT and HELP! provided him a golden ticket to later productions.
The great thing about A HARD DAY'S NIGHT is the boatload of trivia associated with it. There are so many interesting tidbits that you could fill an entire book discussing them. This is a film you have to watch several times to catch everything that is going on, for example:
-The "Clean old man" reference to Paul's grandfather is a comical reference to Brambell's character in an unrelated British television show.
-Look for a copy of John Lennon's IN HIS OWN WRITE in the dressing room.
-Ringo was actually hungover from an evening of partying during the "This Boy" sequence.
-There are coat hangers from the New York Plaza Hotel in the background of one scene.
-A cameo appearance by Tony award winning actress Anna Quayle (probably most remembered as the Baroness in CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG) talking with John Lennon on the staircase.
-Director Richard Lester accidentally walks into two performance scenes.
My one negative criticism of the DVD release is that the original mono soundtrack (at one time found on the United Artist release of the soundtrack album) was replaced with stereo during the movie's lengthy restoration.
In the mid 1980s Walter Shenson made the mistake of allowing A HARD DAY'S NIGHT to be restored for re-release in theaters. He was also planning to do the same thing with HELP! As with most classic theatrical re-releases, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT appeared in only a handful of obscure cinemas across the country. As ususal, none of the selected theaters were anywhere within a few hundred miles of where I was living at the time. Surprise: The film's limited re-release was considered less than successful and A HARD DAY'S NIGHT went straight to video and laser disk. A later restoration of HELP! skipped the wide screen completely and went straight to the home video market.
I bought the original VHS video tape by mail order catalog as soon as it was available in the late 1980s. By that time A HARD DAY'S NIGHT had largely disappeared from broadcast television. For several years during the late 1970s the local New York City ABC affiliate, WABC, aired A HARD DAY'S NIGHT every New Year's Eve. It was at that time that I captured the entire film soundtrack on cassette tape. In lieu of the film I subsequently played the cassette soundtrack over and over again. As such, I just about memorized every line of dialogue, the music, and the accoustic peculiarities of the old mono recording.
Yes, there is a point to this personal flashback.
Upon receiving my copy of A HARD DAY'S NIGHT in its clamshell case I spent a Saturday afternoon -- with specific instructions to not be disturbed -- enjoying the film from beginning to end. The quality of the VHS recording was superb. The solitary aspect that irritated me was the fact that stereo versions of the Beatles music were substituted for the original mono tracks. In doing so the overlay of the stereo tracks upset the original quality of musical number scenes. The two most notable alterations are that the lip-synching is not as well timed as in the original film. Secondly is that the new stereo tracks eliminated the original background sound. This is most notable during the final concert scene where the cheering of the fans is basically a repeated loop of the audience cheering before the performance and during the short break before the Beatles begin 'She Loves You.'
The more recent DVD release is an improvement over my aging VHS copy. The picture is crisp and clear. As noted in other reviews the DVD copy allows us to hear more of the movie dialogue. Unfortunately the out of place stereo tracks remain just as they were in the 1980s video release. I would have preferred that the film was restored back to its 1964 appearance rather than try and improve upon the original. Unfortunately "improving" the original (ala George Lucas and the STAR WARS films) has been the trend for almost a decade.
The DVD release is great. Hopefully a future release, and there are always new special editions of every film released in time for the holidays, will become available with the original soundtrack intact.
Movie Review: Captures all the energy of those early days of Rock N Roll
Summary: 5 Stars
"A Hard Day's Night" represents the very height of BEATLEMANIA, a wonderful heady time of possibilities yet to be explored and the jubilation of Rock n Roll in general. I saw this at my local movie theater in 1964, after braving a line that ran the length of a very long Brooklyn block (unheard of for this third run theater). And remember this was in the day of the double features. The decible level inside the theater during the show was unbelievable, and the sound from the screen was pretty loud too. Non stop screaming, shouting, and singing that made most of the dialogue incomprehnsible. It wasn't until the film played on television years later that I discovered what a funny film this was. In contrast, when HELP debuted a year later, the second run theater I saw it in was packed, but quiet and attentive. The hysteria of BEATLEMANIA was over, and while it was a relief to be able to hear the movie, the excitement of the pandemonium was sorely missed. But on this day in 1964 my local theater became a real Beatle concert-going experience. The fact that my older sister got hit in the head with some girl's tossed shoe, and that it provoked laughter instead of the expected anger really brought home the fact that this was indeed something special. But its what happened after the film was over that has stayed with me all these years over any other movie going experience. After all this pumped up energy The Beatles had produced on came the second feature. I don't remember the name of it, but I do remember it was in color and the first shot was a close-up of a lily pad that silently floated on a lake for what seemed like five full minutes. Well that was it. This Brooklyn crowd went nuts "We Want Te Beatles! We Want The BEATLES! WE WANT THE BEATLES! WE WANT THE BEATLES! Over and over. Being the most seasoned 9 year old movie goer in film history, this was one thing I knew was never going to happen. I remember thinking how smart the theater owner was to book this film, whatever it was. It was obvious to me that this film wasn't being shown to enhance the pleaure of the previous film, or compliment it. It was designed to empty the whole theater, so that nobody would hang around and see The Beatles again (there was another line stretching down the block waiting to get in). But the audience wouldn't stop. WE WANT THE BEATLES! WE WANT THE BEATLES!I just shook my head. WE WANT THE BEATLES! WE WANT THE BEATLES! Then something happened. The 2nd feature stopped leaving a blank screen up there, and down came the theater manager and held up his hands. He was fat and sweating profusely. He waved his hands for everybody to be quiet. There was a palpable feeling of anticipation in the place. As the noise subsided he informed us, reluctantly it seemed to me, that they WERE going to show "A Hard Day's Night" again (an eruption of CHEERS!) and that after it was over he wanted every single one of "you kids" out of this theater. And, in what seemed like an instant, BLANG, that opening chord was struck and back on the screen there it was! And the whole place went WILD all over again. You still couldn't hear halfthe dialogue, but it didn't matter. I remember the poor heavyset matron, who looked like she just ran a marathon, resting on the arm of an aisle seat, looking at us crazy kids singing and screaming, and breaking out in the most good natured I-give-up-smile I have ever witnessed. What a time! True to his word, after the show, the manager was in the boy's bathroom,even the girl's bathroom, throwing out anyone who thought they were going to stick around one more time. And as we piled out into the street, we were the envy of everbody standing on line. "We saw it TWICE" and held up two fingers, which in retrospect was really a sign of victory. That was the day that I realised that in this world, anything IS possible.Movie Review: Still the most stunning rock movie ever made
Summary: 5 Stars
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT was a pivotal moment in the history of the Beatle's. Until its release, they had a massive number of detractors, who were positive that they were merely the flavor of the month, four guys who would enjoy a few months of success, and then disappear. People over thirty were having an especially difficult time taking them seriously. This film made everyone, and not just their fans, take them seriously. New York Times critic Clive Barnes wrote a reluctant yet highly praise-worthy review, explaining that while he had previously not enjoyed the Beatles, the movie was, nonetheless, irresistible.By any conceivable standard, this movie is ground breaking. Visually, director Richard Lester broke new ground by employing a hand held camera for much of the film, giving the film a realistically documentary look. He was also able in this way to give the film a constant visual energy that never flags from the opening credits until the final fabulous shot of the Fab Four's helicopter freeze framed in the sky. The script contains not merely a bevy of first-rate jokes, but introduces several moments of surreality. An example of the latter is the Beatles being chased by fans through a train near the beginning of the film. They reach a baggage car with a cage in the center for valuables, into which they lock themselves. They begin playing cards while the girls all scream. They begin singing, cards in hand, "I Should Have Known Better." Gradually, however, the cards disappear, with Ringo suddenly having drumsticks in his hands, then another a guitar, until they eventually and inexplicably have all their instruments. As the song fades out, the instruments all disappear, and the cards reappear in their hands.
The reason this films continues to delight and entertain is that Richard Lester wanted to make a great movie that happened to star the Beatles, that could stand on its own, and not just a film that would capitalize on their fame. As a result, the film is stuffed to the brim: with ideas, inventive camera shots, unusual and bizarre characters, and more jokes this side of AIRPLANE! There are so many jokes that many might escape the notice of the casual viewer. For instance, while the "manager" of the Beatles argues with one of the boys, Paul sits with a Pepsi bottle to his nose, apparently trying to snort the contents into his nose. Or the constant jokes revolving around Paul's grandfather being such a "clean old man."
Special mention has to be made of Wilfred Brambell. He had achieved great success in one of the greatest TV shows of all time, STEPTOE AND SON, which was the series that the American TV series SANDFORD AND SON was based upon. Brambell is unforgettable playing Paul's grandfather. The boys are all so good you can't say Brambell steals scenes, but that says more about the unexpected charisma of the boys' performances than it does about Brambell, who manages to be equally as dominant in all his scenes. Astonishingly, he was only fifty-one years old at the time of filming, though he looks a great deal older than that.
I have been amazed in talking to friends to find out how many have not seen this film. Anyone who is a fan of the Beatles (or even if a non-fan) should see this film as quickly as possible. It not only represents the moment when the world at large was forced to take the Beatles seriously but also remains one of their greatest moments as performers.
Movie Review: Far better than I hoped, from the reviews
Summary: 5 Stars
When I finally decided to consider replacing my old MPI VHS tape copy of A Hard Day's Night (MP 1064) with the currently available 2 DVD set, I read the reviews on this listing to see if it was really worth re-buying something I've only occasionally watched over the last twenty or so years. It's not that I dislike the movie - far from it - It's just that this is one of those movies I can only watch once in a while with interest. Which only means; it's dated, although in the best possible way. But I love it, and having it as a VHS cassette rotting on my shelf made no sense, so I looked into the DVD.
I knew this was one of the first DVDs released and I've heard some which sound pretty bad, generally due to excessive echo from a careless transfer. And after reading the reviews here, I was expecting the music to be trash. (I took the precaution of making a digital recording of the soundtrack of the tape.) Also screen-cropping was an issue. I prefer widescreen when I can get it, but if someone actually cut part of the image off, which is what at least one reviewer seemed to be saying, that's catastrophic. Needless to say, I did approach this DVD with extreme caution.
But I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. As for the sound, my dread turned to relief when I heard that the Beatles' music on this DVD sounds as clean and pure as I could hope, with my only beef being that it is rendered in mono, rather than the "hi-fi" stereo of the VHS. But strangely, I found that in this case, mono works better. Instead of shifting from mono dialogue to stereo music, the DVD is completely mono, which makes for a more consistent viewing experience. For the performance section at the end, I believe a bit more echo was added to make it sound more "live." But as it's all studio tracks anyway, the alteration is somewhat justified and actually does add to the illusion you're listening to the Beatles perform, rather than lip-sync.
On the cropping; This DVD is in widescreen, which admittedly does make the image smaller and harder to see on the small screen. So why would anyone crop a movie to make it appear widescreen when it'd be better full? Profit? (So they could sell us another copy later on.) Possibly, but for some reason in this instance, I doubted it. What I did to check was pick an object in the movie close enough to the top of the full screen video that if it were cropped, would certainly not show up on the wide. I picked the helicopter propeller blades near the end of the movie, when you can see their top, before it takes off. I found that they were not cropped off on the DVD, although I'll grant it may be that they were closer to the top of the screen. But this may appear so due to the reduced size of the picture. In any case, if there is any cropping, it's not obtrusive.
So why all the carping? I'm going to guess because it's not the way you remember it. Take the fans' word for it, but for my money, the fact that I can actually hear what everyone's saying, plus the interviews, makes the DVD preferable.
Movie Review: Great and classic entertainment. Timeless.
Summary: 5 Stars
ABOUT THE FILM ITSELF:One of the biggest reasons film as a medium holds the effect over us the way it does is because it appeals to our emotions in ways some of the other arts cannot. This is because film incorporates sound, theatre, painting, dance and writing. That dry polemic aside,
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT is a fine example of what film can do. By incorporating sound, theatre, painting, dance, music and writing, this film presents one of the purest expressions of joy in cinema history.
What made the Beatles successful performers and artists and immortal cultural icons, was their collective personification all of their audiences' hopes and dreams.
All wished to be as expressive, free, uninhibited and has happy as they appeared to be. Of course much of this is pure cinematic fabrication, but one cannot fake the explosion of life we see on the screen and hear on their records. No one in history could possibly be talented enough to present such an image without at least a shred of honesty.
Those four young men celebrated life and generously shared so much of it with us through their art. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT is a great testament as to what made them so great.
Richard Lester, the director, got out of the way and let them be the Beatles. The hand held camera work and editing in this film arguably created the '60's visual Cultural Revolution. It is a perfect marriage of music to image. Without this film there never would have been an EASY RIDER or even an MTV (on second thought, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing).
Of course John, Paul, George, and Ringo couldn't completely match their images in their private lives (who could?) and of course they matured and evolved as we all have. But this film inspired many to live, to love and to create. It is such a force of positive life affirming love that it has to be savored and enjoyed. I don't apologize for dripping over it the way I do. It is a great film, on the level with CITIZEN KANE, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, THE SEVEN SAMURAI and others.
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT remains fresh after many repeated viewings.
ABOUT THE DVD:
The picture is a clear transfer that glows with detail and life. For a black and white film, it vibrates with color. While I am not a technical expert, I am most satisfied with the quality of the sound and picture. It certainly marks a great improvement over the original video tape version although I do miss the formers montage to "I'll Cry Instead".
The special features are admittedly lame considering none of the Beatles themselves appear. What we get is a great deal of information that gives new meaning to the word "trivial". I do admit to truly enjoying the anecdotes from screenwriter Alun Owen and director Richard Lester.
A certain must own.