Customer Reviews

Beatles Diary [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Alf was the Beatles chauffeur, and so experienced the Beatles day-to-day as few did. But his stories are VERY minor stories, generally, and they often don't have much of a pay-off. But if you're a Beatles freak, as I am, even the most incidental anecdotes are of interest. He tells of trivial moments, and he is a rather shy man, which is actually rather refreshing, because most people you see on camera are overly slick. There aren't any great Beatles clips...a few here and there. It shows a clip of Paul at a solo-show, mentioning to the audience that Alf is in the audience, that is fun to see. And Alf relates when the Beatles once stole four bottles of milk! Also he gives details about when the Beatles met Elvis (Alf was there). And while most Beatles fans have seen the Beatles homes/hang outs in photos, to see them on video gives you a better sense of what they look like. This is a modest effort, but its modesty is part of its charm.

Don't even consider buying this crap. Alf is trying so hard to cash in on the Beatles, it is rediculous. Alf retells his really pointless stories while the viewer looks at crappy stock footage. You get to see Paul solo for a few minutes but that's about it. I am a die hard Beatles fan who thought there wasn't any bad Beatles related merchandise. This video proved me wrong.

I was given the VHS of this title several years ago.

It's got nothing much to offer the avid Beatle fan. Some trivial stories and uninspired vignettes from The Beatles' former chauffeur.

I guess he needed some quick $$$.

Poor old Alf says he kept quiet about his Beatles involvement from 1966 to 1989. It's a pity he didn't leave it that way.
This video is so poorly directed and edited that it is not clear whether you are in Liverpool, London or USA at any given time.
Alf MUST have had some interesting memories from three years with The Fabs, but they're not recorded here ... John pinched a bottle of milk, there was a large crowd at Shea Stadium etc.
At least half the footage is filled with Alf plodding along a street somewhere, plus many clips from Paul's world tour. (Relevance? Alf went to one concert and Paul spoke to him...)
Most of the anecdotes are rehashed (George Harrison didn't like George Martin's tie) and there is little here to interest even a serious Beatles fan.
Spend your money elsewhere!

If you are a Beatles fan this is an interesting dvd. However, it's pretty low budget and Alf's stories are pretty low brow. However, there are a few bits that make it a good dvd for the avid fan.

I bought this Alf B. dvd because it stated "can be used on windows 95". This is wrong! It cannot be used on a computer with Windows 95. One day I'll get a dvd but it is disappointing.

The DVD has some eccellent information on the Beatle years.Always worth a look

I've been a Beatles fan since '67, but had never heard of Alf Bicknell until a friend sent me a VHS copy of this. I think it's great to hear Alf's recollections of his time with the Fabs and to see the actual places that played a role in their lives. I never knew that Johnny Cash met the lads until I watched the video. Alf seems like a great guy and I hope he releases more things like this.

Before you see this DVD you will be asking the QUESTION: "Who is Alf Bicknell"? After you see this DVD you will be asking the QUESTION: "Who cares about Alf Bickenell?" For TWO-YEARS good old Alf was the Beatles' DRIVER and ROAD MANAGER! Thrilling, huh? You get to see a party with the ROLLING STONES! You get to see the BEATLES in the studio and on the road! But every once in a while there is some ORIGINAL FOOTAGE by PAUL McCARTNEY! That has to be worth something! But you also get a lame interactive TRIVIA section! If you are an absolutely die-hard BEATLES FAN and you have NOTHING ELSE in the world to buy about the FAB FOUR, then you can pick up this one! Otherwise, since you already know who ALF BICKNELL is, why bother?

Of all the billions, I am shocked that they have made no effort to provide subtitles.