A HARD DAY'S NIGHT

The best Beatles movie AHDN has become a cult late night classic, and has played many theatres worldwide. The main drawcard is it depicts the Beatles in their heyday, when everything was going well for the band and it is a slice of the swinging 60s. There are quintessential Beatles galore on this classic, namely A Hard Day's Night, I Should Have Known Better, If I Fell and Can't Buy Me Love. Don't Bother Me is a great moment of the film as is And I Love Her.

The film works as a kind of glorified film clip for the band and the way that the Beatles jump and run everywhere shows the vibrant energy of the youth culture. Richard Lester directs the band just being themselves. The scenes where they sprint from adoring female fans and then disguise themselves became a trademark and was used endlessly in the animated series. There are concert bits, studio pieces and actual film clips of the band at their best; it is one of the best records of the band and footage from AHDN has been used many times in Beatles specials and documentaries.

They all enjoy themselves on this, they mock the press and everyone they come into contact with, acting like everything is a joke, and the storyline is so convoluted I can't even remember what the heck it is all about. It does not matter as the only reason to watch this is to see The Beatles bouncing from one silly encounter to the next. Some of the imagery, such as the band bouncing on trampolines, and running into each other at a park are unforgettable. Special Features are only a bonus as the film itself is well worth getting hold of. It is a product of its time and could have had 30 minutes trimmed as there's so much padding out, and it is for collectors so tread gently through this piece of nostalgia.