It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Beyond

May 26, 2017

1h 53m

★ 5.8

Overview

Featuring interviews with former employees, fellow musicians, family members and journalists, and supported by original and exclusive never-seen-before footage, this star-studded rockumentary offers a fascinating insight into the creation and recording of one of the most ground-breaking and influential albums in pop history.

Genres

Documentary

Music

Production Companies

A Geezer & A Blonde Productions London

It Was Fifty Years Ago Today! The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper & Beyond Trailers

Cast

Self (archive footage)

John Lennon

Self

Paul McCartney

Self

Ringo Starr

Self (archive footage)

George Harrison

Self (archive footage)

Brian Epstein

Self (archive footage)

George Martin

Self (archive footage)

Yoko Ono

Self

Julia Baird

Self

Andre Barreau

Self

Pete Best

Self

Jenny Boyd

Self

Tony Bramwell

This MPL documentary is about Paul McCartney's World Tour '90. It focuses on all the organization which was set up for this tour and also features some live performances by Paul and his band. Some interviews are given by Paul, Hamish, Wix and other members of the crew. The documentary begins with the recalling of the concert at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil on April 21st, 1990. Two days before, a torrential rain has begun to fall, and nobody can yet ensure that the show of tonight will really happen. The rain is so strong that the crew has tremendous difficulties to put up the stage. A previous date (April 19) has already been cancelled because of the rain. But that night, at the very moment when Paul and his band come on stage, the rain stops by a miracle. The show is finally attended by 184.000 people, thus establishing a new world record for the largest concert given in the history of rock'n'roll.

9.0

The Paul McCartney Special

Aug 29, 1986

A program originally produced for the BBC, and aired on television several times in 1986. Originally conceived as a long-form promotional piece for «Press to Play», the BBC staffer (Richard Skinner) persuades Macca to talk about much more, including one of the more in-depth interviews about Wings. All of the interview bits were done at Abbey Road studio 2, leading to some reminiscing on Paul's part. Scattered among the interview are some nice McCartney film rarities (including rarely seen promo clips/videos, concert footage from both the 1973 and 1976 tours, and even a bit of the never released "One Hand Clapping" film).

7.0

Quadrophenia

Sep 14, 1979

Based on the 1973 rock opera album of the same name by The Who, this is the story of 60s teenager Jimmy. At work he slaves in a dead-end job. While after, he shops for tailored suits and rides his scooter as part of the London Mod scene.

8.1

Concert for George

Oct 3, 2003

As a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his passing, The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 . Organized by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, and arranged under the musical direction of Eric Clapton and Jeff Lynne. A benefit for Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation, the all-star concert took place on the day of the first anniversary of his death. Proceeds from the film also went to the Material World Charitable Foundation. The film was shot using discreet cameras from over twelve locations.

0.0

Ringo Starr: Off the Record

May 2, 2008

A conversation between Ringo Starr and The Eurythmics's Dave Stewart. Ringo talks about the early days and how he came into the band without an audition. Then the discussion turns to Beatlemania, and then Ringo plays Beatles songs on the drum kit. Another segment is when Stewart pulls out a box of LP albums and plays a flash card game with Ringo, asking him for improvisational comments on the records.

0.0

Deconstructing the Beatles' Abbey Road: Side 2

Jul 1, 2019

Abbey Road is a masterpiece filled with such classic Beatles songs as “Come Together,” “Something,” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Deconstructing the Beatles’ Abbey Road: Side Two takes a track-by-track journey into their inspiration and evolution in the studio with the man who’s been presenting his beloved, exhilarating multimedia deep dives into the band’s work here for years. Because of the depth of the Abbey Road songwriting, he created two separate presentations for this album.

7.0

Urgent ou à quoi bon exécuter des projets puisque le projet est en lui-même une jouissance suffisante

Aug 1, 1977

Gérard Courant applies the Lettrist editing techniques of Isidore Isou to footage of late 70's pop culture. Courant posits that his cinema offers an aggressive détournement to the French mainstream, reifying a Duchampian view of film: "I believe in impossible movies and works without meaning... I believe in the anti-movie. I believe in the non-movie. I believe in Urgent... My first full length movie that is so anti-everything that I sometimes wonder if it really does exist!"

6.6

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Dec 21, 2007

Following a childhood tragedy, Dewey Cox follows a long and winding road to music stardom. Dewey perseveres through changing musical styles, an addiction to nearly every drug known and bouts of uncontrollable rage.

6.9

Help!

Jul 29, 1965

An obscure Eastern cult that practices human sacrifice pursues Ringo after he unknowingly puts on a ceremonial ring (that, of course, won't come off). On top of that, a pair of mad scientists, members of Scotland Yard, and a beautiful but dead-eyed assassin all have their own plans for the Fab Four.

6.5

George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison

Feb 26, 2016

Recorded on September 28th, 2014 in Los Angeles, musicians pay tribute to their favorite George Harrison songs.

0.0

Lennon's Poster

Jun 13, 2013

A short film following the recreation of the Pablo Fanque circus poster that inspired John Lennon to write 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite' for the Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. Using the traditional methods of wood engraving and letterpress printing, Peter Dean and his team of experts bring to life Lennon's poster.

7.2

Yellow Submarine

Jul 17, 1968

The wicked Blue Meanies take over Pepperland, eliminating all color and music. As the only survivor, the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and journeys to Liverpool to enlist the help of the Beatles.

7.0

Imagine: John Lennon

Sep 30, 1988

The biography of former Beatle, John Lennon—narrated by Lennon himself—with extensive material from Yoko Ono's personal collection, previously unseen footage from Lennon's private archives, and interviews with David Bowie, his first wife Cynthia, second wife Yoko Ono and sons Julian and Sean.

7.8

The Compleat Beatles

Oct 1, 1982

Now, for the first time, you can re-live the Beatles legends with this stunning 2-hour musical “Rockumentary”. It’s all there from the wild exuberance of the early Cavern Club days through eight incredible years, to the grim finality of “Let It Be”. See John, Paul, George and Ringo in performance, on tour, in films, recording with George Martin and in rare footage never before seen. Narrated by Malcom McDowell.

0.0

Mal Evans on Vacation

Nov 12, 1966

This is a collection of films recorded by Mal Evans in the 1960s

7.5

What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA

Oct 16, 1964

New York, USA, February 1964. Five grueling days in the life of George, John, Paul and Ringo, the Fab Four, The Beatles: the hysterical fan reception at JFK airport; several press conferences; in their rooms at the Plaza Hotel; in the backstage at the Ed Sullivan Show; hanging out with the legendary DJ Murray the K; and the frantic return home.

4.3

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Jul 21, 1978

A small town band makes it big, but loses track of their roots, as they get caught up into the big-time machinations of the music biz. Now, they must thwart a plot to destroy their home town. Built around the music of The Beatles, this musical uses some big name groups like Peter Frampton and Aerosmith.

0.0

Brian Epstein: Inside the Fifth Beatle

Jan 1, 2004

Get to know the mastermind behind The Beatles’ worldwide domination, from an unknown Liverpool band to uncontested modern musical icons.

7.1

My Generation

Oct 8, 2017

The vivid and inspiring story of British film icon Michael Caine's personal journey through 1960s swinging London.

0.0

George Harrison - All Things Pass

Mar 20, 2018

George Harrison was an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and music and film producer who initially achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles, but went on to sell millions of critically acclaimed solo records. Harrison was referred to as the quiet one of the Beatles, often in the shadow of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. However, he later acquired the respect of critics world wide and is now considered to be on the same level - if not surpassing - Lennon and McCartney as a song writer, a result of creating songs such as ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Rolling Stone magazine even ranked him number 11 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time," and he is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.