Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Still the most stunning rock movie ever made
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.
Rating: - Classic Movie; Disappointing Collection
First of all, why does ... list this movie as "A Hard Day's Night ~ John Lennon"? There were three other Beatles, after all, and the Beatles were the trailblazers in not having a "lead" personality.I was really looking forward to receiving this DVD, primarily because it was advertised prior to release as including "The Running, Jumping, & Standing Still Film." This is one of Richard Lester's earlier works, in which I understand you can see a lot of the visual style which became a part of "A Hard Day's Night." So what happened to it? Miramax has given us a two-disc set with lots and lots of interviews with everybody connected with the movie. They all tell us what great guys the Beatles were, how talented, etc., but it gets a bit repetitious. Also, "You Can't Do That," the filmed performance that didn't make the final cut of the movie, isn't here. Nor is the "baby carriage" interview, or footage of the film's premieres. All in all, a disappointing DVD package of one of the great all-time classics.
Rating:  - Who authorized the audio remaster for this reissue?
OK, here goes. The rantings of a musical purist, in what I hope reads somewhat like a review.The supplemental materials on both discs are very well done. Some goodies from the previous DVD edition are missing, however (see below). Especially enlightening were the Klaus Voormann and George Martin interviews. And the film is in WIDESCREEN! FINALLY! This Beatles geek was very excited to re - experience the new reissue of the film that many years ago changed his life. And then, I heard the familiar opening suspended chord to the title song. I knew immediately the something was not right. I was stunned to hear a chorus/flange effect over the entire music track. Not just on the guitars, but EVERYTHING. Cymbals, vocals, all of it. Nothing subtle at all about this effect, in the way it swoops through the frequencies. All the Beatles songs appear to be treated to the same sweeping chorus noise. For this musician, it took some of the enjoyment out of seeing the film again. I stopped the DVD and rechecked my english audio options: 5.1 surround. No stereo mix is available on this DVD. My question then is, who OK'd this audio remaster? Why isn't there a 2 Channel mix available, or even (gulp) the original MONO? For comparison, I put in my older MPI DVD version in the player. Stereo, punchier remix. Alas, the video on it is only reformatted for TV. Few extras on it, but I'll take that MPI's 2 channel music/dialogue mix over this new anniversary edition 5.1. It would have been nice for Miramax/Buena Vista to have included the deleted concert track (You Can't Do That) or the '82 Reissue Prologue (I'll Cry Instead). Maybe it's on the DVD rom portion, I have not accessed it yet. All in all, I believe that the supplemental material is what will keep me busy with this DVD. I'm indeed very disappointed with the audio remix of the film itself. In my mind, what should have been a 5 star reissue of the film itself, is now an average 3. Tim Longfellow Typhoon Productions
Norton, OH
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