A HARD DAY'S NIGHT
Director: Richard Lester
The Beatles first film, A Hard Day's Night, marked a new era in music videos. It is the story of two days in the life of the Beatles. From the opening scenes the film is alive with chaos, laughter, music and Beatles. Some of the finest Beatles' songs are used in the film, composed by rock's greatest songwriting partnership, Lennon-McCartney.
Chased by their fans, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr board a train bound for London in preparation for a live television appearance, accompanied by Norm their manager and Shake the roadie. Also with them is Paul's grandfather, John McCartney (Wilfrid Bramble). After escaping from Norm, the Beatles head out for the evening only to be discovered missing and dragged back to their hotel room by an angry Norm. They then go in search of grandfather who has taken himself out to Ringo's gambling club.
The next day, after rehearsals for the show, Ringo is convinced by grandfather that he is not appreciated by the other Beatles. So Ringo disappears, wandering around London only to end up in a ploice station. The Beatles search for him and they all just make it back in time for their live telecast.
A Hard Day's Night hasn't a complex plot, but who needs one, when you have four Beatles! Songs include "A Hard Day's Night", "Tell Me Why", "I Should Have Known Better", "If I Fell", "And I Love Her", "All My Loving", "Ringo's Theme", "Can't Buy Me Love", "I Wanna Be Your Man", "I'll Cry Instead" and others.
What a masterpiece. And for those of you who haven't yet seen it, "You're a swine!"
Released: 1964 by United Artists
Length: 87 minutes
Medium: Black & white