I was around eight years old or so when the Beatles came
into their touring years, which is what the film Eight Days A Week is about. I recall some friends of mine in grade
school asking me if I’d seen the Beatles on TV, likely on The Ed Sullivan Show, and I replied with something like, “Who’d
want to watch a bunch of bugs?” So due to my younger age at the time, I missed
out on that screaming, fainting phenomena of teenage girls who swooned over the
Fab Four in such great numbers and so often it was called Beatlemania.
The Beatles: Eight
Days A Week-The Touring Years, was released in 2016. The documentary is not
rated. I wonder at this point during my writing if I have to say who the
Beatles are. I hope you already know them. John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul
McCartney and Ringo Starr made up the legendary Beatles hailing from England.
If you didn’t know that, I am sorry for you. (I listed them in order of my
favorites!)
Ron Howard has created this documentary about the Beatles
touring years with many interviews, still photos, and live performance film
that will have you remembering the sixties all over again. Because I did become
aware of the Beatles shortly after learning about them in school, and I loved
their music, I did the Twist along with my girlfriends, sang along endlessly to
their love songs on the radio, and matured year by year just as their music
did.
I liked that the movie did not skimp on the music, often
allowing an entire song to be played by the band for our viewing pleasure. Paul
McCartney and John Lennon mainly composed the songs during that time period,
and had quite the collaboration going for them. The Beatles toured all over the
world, and I even knew an older neighbor girl who saw them perform in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a bit of a legend in our rural community because
of that.
This film will leave you feeling nostalgic if you are of a
certain age, and if you’re even younger, it should be an education about not
just the Beatles rise to fame and fortune, but to a world that was haunted by
racial tensions, a deceitful war, women’s rights, and young people coming into
their own power. I even shed a tear or two at the memories so eloquently
brought to life once again through the interviews with the Beatles and the films
from the times.
John and George were taken from us too soon. I still miss
them, but at least have their music to listen to. Only Paul and Ringo are left
behind. If Ringo shows up in Albuquerque again with his All-Starr Band, I’ll go
see him. I came to appreciate his music more with the years.
See Eight Days A Week
(we saw it on Hulu). And put some old Beatles music on. Your heart will
appreciate it.
Very good review, Sue. I agree with much of what you said. I too have come to enjoy Ringo both as a person and a musician! I miss John Lennon very much; his music and politics. I must be a little older than you because I remember them on The Ed Sullivan Show. I actually had a collection of Beatle cards which were much like baseball cards. Sadly, my mother made me throw them out; they would be worth a good sum of money today. Joe and I recorded this from PBS; we were both very impressed with the film, particularly the amount of research involved in making the film. I also watched a film on PBS sometime ago about Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my review, and leaving a comment! I have noticed your posts on Facebook from time to time about John Lennon. He was a great inspiration for me too. Glad to hear you and Joe enjoyed this film also.
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