Product Details

• Actors: Seth Swirsky, Henry Winkler, Jon Voight, Smokey Robinson, Sir Ben Kingsley
• Directors: Seth Swirsky
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Cinema Libre Studio
• DVD Release Date: October 2, 2012
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B008S83IWI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,730 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Songwriter Seth Swirsky grew up in the 1960s loving the Beatles -- their songs, their sound and their style. He set out with video camera in hand, to talk to people who had crossed paths with his heroes. From Sir Ben Kingsley to Sir George Martin; from Beach Boy Brian Wilson to astronomer Brian Skiff, Seth filmed hundreds of personal recollections from people that knew them or those that just had an unforgettable encounter with them. Others who shared their personal recollections of the Fabs include: Henry Winkler (aka The Fonz), former Beatles recording engineers Norman Hurricane Smith, Ken Scott and John Kurlander; Jackie DeShannon, actor Jon Voight, Graham Nash, Davy Jones, Susanna Hoffs and Art Garfunkel among dozens of others. The result is Beatles Stories-A Fab Four Fan's Ultimate Road Trip. Chosen as an Official Selection in many prestigious international film festivals, the movie has been delighting audiences the world over. Longtime Beatles friend and personal assistant Tony Bramwell said, "Beatles Stories is a Magical Mystery Tour de Force!!" Academy award-winning director, Cameron Crowe said of Beatles Stories : This film is fantastic, so from the heart and so wildly revealing. An epic and timeless masterwork. Wherever you are on the spectrum of Beatles fan - from passionate to casual - you'll love Beatles Stories. As the group themselves might say, A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nearly 60 (mostly) insightful interviews.! A must for Beatles fans October 6, 2012

By Steven I. Ramm TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Seth Swirsky is not a professional filmmaker (and some of the camera work here shows that), but this is heck of a fascinating documentary project. Swirsky is a musician and a songwriter, with songs recorded by Taylor Dayne, Tina Turner, Al Green and Celine Dion, as well as themes for major motion pictures. But, after playing a gig in Hamburg and hearing stories from locals about the Beatles, he decided to contact a slew of well-known folks who interacted with the Fab Four during their career. How is got access to nearly 60 (mostly) celebrities like Sir George Martin, Graham Nash, Ben Kingley (actually a performing musician before turning to acting), Brian Wilson, Smokey Robinson, still amazes me! But I'm glad he did. The 85-minute film contains about 53 of these interviews - most lasting just a minute or two and a few were done by phone - with appropriate archival footage of the period to embelish them. Some of the stories are well know, but many aren't. And the connections with the Beatles run from the old-style comedy couple who shared the stage on the Ed Sullivan Show for the Beatles' debut to the guy who got the last autograph from John Lennon before he was murdered.

The bonus features ad much to the fun as there are 30 minutes of "bonus interviews" for folks not featured in the theatrical version. And there is a nearly-25-minute extended interview with Norman "Hurricane" Smith, the Beatles first recording engineer.

The project to film all these interviews (and get access to the interviewees - many recorded backstage at performances - took nearly seven years. I can't even imagine Swirsky's travel expenses! But, I think we should all be glad he did it. These stories are now "on record" (no pun intended) and available for future generations/

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful!

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific stories that add to the Beatles' legacy October 2, 2012

By TheBandit VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

This documentary contains dozens of interviews with everyone from Ben Kingsley and Jon Voight to people you've never heard of, like one of the original "Apple Scruffs" (girls who used to hang around outside Apple Records offices hoping to talk to a Beatle).

Director Seth Swirsky wanted to capture as many stories about Beatle encounters as possible. Most of the interviews collected in the 85 minute movie last for only a few minutes before moving onto the next story. It results in a lot of variety. Some of the stories have been told before, but most of them will be unfamiliar to even the most devoted Beatlemaniacs. Some of the people he talked to (George Martin, Norman Smith - Beatles engineer, Joey Molland of Badfinger, Denny Laine of Wings) had professional associations with the Beatles or an ex-Beatle. But others - like The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs, who happened to bump into Ringo at a party - tell starstruck stories of chance encounters.

If you watch the whole movie and still want more, the DVD has you covered - 30 minutes of extra interviews. Swirsky reveals his methods on the director's commentary. He's a successful songwriter himself, having written songs for the likes of Taylor Dayne and Smokey Robinson (who appears in the documentary). This is his first film and it's admittedly a little rough around the edges, but ultimately an emotionally engrossing trip for Beatles fans.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars very entertaining September 29, 2012

By clipper fan

Format:DVD

This DVD is really terrific. As you watch it each story is better than the last. The different stories are very interesting from Graham Nash to Henry Winkler to Sir Ben Kingsley to Art Garfunkel.
The worst part of the DVD is that it ends.
I would recommend this to anyone.