Director David Tedeschi collaborates with esteemed producer Martin Scorsese to examine the significant impact of The Beatles’ inaugural visit to the United States in the documentary “Beatles ’64,” available on Disney+. On February 7, 1964, The Beatles arrived in New York City, generating extraordinary excitement and enthusiasm. From the moment they disembarked at Kennedy Airport, where thousands of adoring fans welcomed them, Beatlemania rapidly spread throughout New York and across the nation.
Their thrilling debut performance on The Ed Sullivan Show captivated more than 73 million viewers, the most-watched television event of its time. Beatles ’64 presents the spectacle but also tells a more intimate behind-the-scenes story, capturing the camaraderie of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they experienced unimaginable fame. The film includes rare footage filmed by pioneering documentarians Albert and David Maysles, beautifully restored in 4K by Park Road Post in New Zealand.
The live performances from The Beatles’ first American concert at the Washington, DC Coliseum and their Ed Sullivan appearances were demixed by WingNut Films and remixed by Giles Martin. Highlighting this unique cultural moment and its lasting impact today, the music and footage are complemented by newly filmed interviews with Paul, Ringo, and fans whose lives were transformed by The Beatles.
In the first seconds, “Beatles 64” fills your senses with action-packed, previously unseen footage and the untamed energy of thousands of young fans. It is a documentary that shows us how excited people must have been when The Beatles came down to Earth – a scene that touched millions of people and set the tone for Beatlemania. Particularly excellent are the crowd scenes, capturing the energy, excitement, and indomitable joy of those early days.
Part of what makes the movie great is not only the music but the culture of the band itself. Interviews with music historians, interviewees, and press critics put “Beatles 64” into context by situating the band’s contribution to 1960s society. It skillfully demonstrates how The Beatles went beyond the songbook and became generational figures embodying peace, love, and defiance of authority.
The cinematography in the film is particularly noteworthy. The use of vibrant footage within dynamic compositions revitalizes historical content, sometimes creating the impression for the audience that they are participants in the depicted action during a tumultuous period. Furthermore, the film adeptly explores a range of emotions—such as joy, panic, and elation—experienced by fans, effectively illustrating the essence of youth and vitality in the 1960s.
“Beatles 64” is a captivating documentary that succeeds not just as an homage to The Beatles but as a time capsule that encapsulates a cultural revolution.
Final Grade: B+
BEATLES ’64 will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning November 29, 2024.
