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The Compleat Beatles VHS

John Lennon (Actor), Paul McCartney (Actor), Patrick Montgomery (Director, Producer) Rated:

NR

Format: VHS Tape

53 customer reviews

VHS Tape
$44.95

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(Jul 01, 1991)

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Product details

Actors: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Malcolm McDowell
Directors: Patrick Montgomery
Writers: David Silver
Producers: Patrick Montgomery, Jeannie Sakol, Stephanie Bennett
Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC, Full Screen
Language: English
Rated:
NR
Not Rated
Number of tapes: 1
Studio: MGM/UA
VHS Release Date: July 1, 1991
Run Time: 119 minutes
Average Customer Review: 53 customer reviews
ASIN: 6301966376
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,206 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

This documentary chronicles the career of the "Fab Four".

53 customer reviews

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Still the best Beatles primer

March 7, 2013

Format: VHS TapeVerified Purchase

Coming out in the '80's with a companion book, this was the first meaningful Beatles documentary, apres le deluge, as it were. In a short two hours, one is treated to the story of the Beatles, with photos, music, interviews (boy, did Billy J. Kramer get cuter later on!) and first-person recollections.

I have MANY MANY MANY Beatles tapes and dvd's. This one is STILL my favorite - even over the tape/dvd set The Beatles themselves later put out. This one is told (I think Malcolm McDowell is the narrator) in a concise yet sentimental way: fact and heart are merged together in this telling.

If I had to pick a documentary on the Beatles to send into outer space, to tell other galaxies their story and impact on this planet, this would be the one I would choose. It simply has the most heart and is highly entertaining as well!

Too bad it has not come out on dvd, but I can tell you that I was able to convert my vhs tape to dvd via my Magnavox recorder (which I got here on Amazon).

6 people found this helpful

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Good, But Far From Definitive

June 18, 2003

Format: VHS TapeVerified Purchase

I don't mean to sound overly critical. This is a decent Beatles documentary for what it is. But it does have some major flaws.

1. No actual footage from the Help or Magical Mystery Tour films is here, only still images. I would like to think that they could show at least a short clip or two from the movies, just to make it more complete.

2. When describing the final 1966 tour, the audio used is actually from a 1964 concert.

3. On that same note, when the narrator mentions Candlestick Park, the footage shown IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SHOW.

4. During the 1964 Ed Sullivan Show segment, you actually don't see the Beatles play (only random audience shots) and a studio version of "All My Loving" is substituted for the live performance.

5. There are a few factual errors in the film. For example, the narrator says that Paul bought a guitar to help him through his mother's death. The truth (as Paul himself says in the Anthology video) is that his dad bought him a trumpet and Paul traded it in for a guitar.

This was a reasonable effort in the '80s but I think it is now obsolete with the release of the Anthology videos in 1996. That is the real "Compleat Beatles."

5 people found this helpful

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Best Documentary Film that isn't "Anthology"

September 9, 2015

Format: VHS TapeVerified Purchase

Narrated by Malcolm McDowell, this is the documentary that was THE definitive documentary of the Beatles, until "Anthology" was released on a 5 DVD set. No 2 hour movie could ever compete with that. However, there are alot of bits in this movie that really cover the most important aspects. John had only been dead 2 years when this was released.

3 people found this helpful

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a true gem - even if the recording and source quality is uneven

August 27, 2007

Format: VHS TapeVerified Purchase

The Compleat Beatles is one of the most enjoyable films for repeat viewings. Malcolm McDowell's narration is the key element - his voice is both melodious and passionate. The film stock is uneven in quality - but that hardly matters. The audio quality throughout is exceptional on the 1991 HiFi stereo NTSC VHS which I recently bought second hand via Amazon (August 2007) - the cover boasts "digitally duplicated Videophonic Sound". I can't compare it to the analogue audio of my LaserDisc version because "laser rot" rendered those discs unplayable several years ago. Unfortunately the VHS has unpleasantly bright, overly contrasted video with poor colour - whereas my recollection of the LaserDisc was that it looked great.

This film is almost as enjoyable as audio only, so the video problem isn't too critical.

One person found this helpful

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Excellent! Fun to revisit, and great intro to band

September 6, 2007

Format: VHS TapeVerified Purchase

This was my intro to the band as a young teen in the 80's. It's a wonderful film and documentary, that really gives a full story of the band from beginning to end. Really get a glimpse into the personalities and the music's creative process. Good clips of interviews, and music performances/videos. Great choice of songs throughout, not just the hits (such as Tomorrow Never Knows, Why don't we do it in the road, Love you too, Day in the Life), even though they are usually shortened snippets. Small complaint, but I just wish it had some of the Paperback Writer video because I love that song, but so many great ones are here.... blackbird, I am the Walrus, fool on the hill, I'm a loser, etc etc. Again they are usually partial songs, but they fit in alot throughout, and it does not seem slighted or chopped up. They are seemless and fluid throughout the film segued in and out of the narrration and interviews.

The film follows the band from their childhood and formation of the band, through the early hystaria of Beatlemania, to the more serious songwriting and artistic creativity that followed, the psychedelia, the trip to India, the arrival of Yoko, the Let It Be sessions, and finally the breakup of the band.

What really makes this movie great, and one I love to watch again and again is the narration by Malcolm McDowell. I am a big fan of the movie A Clockwork Orange also because of him, and his narration throughout that film. He just has a great voice and reading style, and it really separates this documantaries from all others. He just seems to add an authenticity and intimacy that makes this very enjoyable. I also really like that unlike the Anthology, this does not include interviews with Paul, George or Ringo later in their 50's looking back. All the clips and interviews are from the period, and really allows you see them just as they were when they were young, and the film ends with the end of the band as it should. Their engaging personas, insightfulness, and youthful optimism and spirit really come through.

It's of course not as "Compleat" as the Anthology, but it really has all you need IMO. A film you can watch in one sitting, and can watch with the family. A movie that is enjoyable as a movie, not just a rockumentary. Well organized chronologically, the story really builds throughout. Fun for Beatle fans who already know it all, and an excellent intro to anyone new to the band, and an excellent way to present the band to any friends you may have that are not into them, this will convert them.

4 people found this helpful

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Best Beatles Documentary

October 23, 2014

Format: VHS TapeVerified Purchase

This is one fantastic Beatles documentary. I've seen a few others, including the 5 disc "Beatles Anthology," but this one is the best. Don't believe me? Then watch it. You'll be a believer. Then you'll wonder like me: How can this superb film be out of print?

3 people found this helpful

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