Ebert's GREAT MOVIES, Part 8: "A Hard Day's Night"

I'm remiss. I haven't seen this classic musical documentry. I know it's a classic because it seems like I've seen, it when I read Ebert's review. I've got a feeling when I see it, I'll have to keep reminding myself... They are not copying the Spice Girls movie!

Every minute of this film was a joy to me and I bought the album on my way home, my first Beatles. In addition my first husband asked me to marry him that night!!!!

It's vice versa, of course -- Booman! The film has been used as a template for many following in it's footsteps.

The new DVD is a Godsend -- the showings on TV have been faded and this films should only be seen wide screen (you miss so much on pan and scan).

Hey thanks for the heads LW up I am heading for Amazon.com now to order the DVD.

When I saw it I thought I was "way past the Beatles, man".
But I enjoyed the film throughly. It was fun fun fun.
More than a decade had passed, and yet it was so fresh, musically and cinematographically.

BTW, since you didn't have ol' Pete, in the poll, I had to settle for John.

I didn't see this one, L.W. I had the complete Beatles record collection at one time, but while I was taping a Beatles Marathon from the radio a very tragic event occurred. As a result, I always associate the Beatles with a sad time in my life. That's great that their movie has been restored on DVD.

John Lennon gets my vote.

I remember going to see this film when it first came out. That's the only way I've seen it -- on the big screen. I thought at the time -- and still do -- that it was one of the most innovative and delightful pieces of celluloid literature I had ever seen. It has almost a film noir quality, and really fine camerawork. I didn't buy the album on the way home, but very soon afterwards I did. Those LPs, alas, have gone the way of all vynil. I don't have a single Beatles record now in any form -- CD, tape or vynil.

I saw it and loved every minute of it.
It was so much MORE!!!!
Now, I'll read Ebert.

When my brother asked me what I thought of the Beatles I snorted. I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND didn't make it for me. Then I heard AND I LOVE HER. A week or so later I saw the movie at the Long Beach Naval Base. I fell in love with the Beatles and I will never tire of them or this film. I bought the DVD as soon as I saw it on sale.

Saw it in the theater when it came out and at the Fox Venice some years later.
Loved every minute of it both times. It changed movies...the speed, the camera freedom, the playfulness of the film changed our sense of how movies could look.

Loved it and I am sure I still would.

A bit of irony Edgar; I had a simular disdain for the Beatles, until I heard " I Wanna' hold Your Hand", as sung by Petula Clark, in a slow tempo, on a TV show. This alerted me to the fact that they weren't run -of the- mill tunesmiths. I started paying attention.

It single handedly created the whole "Swingin´ London" fad that went from mid to late 60´s.Wacky plots,people running around for no apparent reason etc.
I saw it recently on video and was surprised to see that even "Matrix" had stolen an image:The helicopter with all the photographs falling at the end where the boys make their final getaway.
It appeared to me,nevertheless,to be extremely dated as a piece of cinema but the music!Ahhh I never tire of that album.

For me, appreciation of this film varies with my frame of mind. When I am receptive I see it as a brilliant piece of work. When I am in a funk it just seems to drag. I loved it so the last viewing I might be wise to carry the memory and view it no more. But I know it ain't gonna happen that way.

The film only seems dated because so much of the filming technique has been "borrowed" over the years. Again, seeing it in wide screen is essential as Lester uses every inch of the frame and the kinetic energy is literally cut in half with the pan-and-scan.

Along with my DVD of Hard Days Night I bought the MaCartney 2002 World Tour DVD. Where oh where is that brown truck, I can hardly wait. Best thing is Amazon said it will come AFTER Chritmas so my holiday will be extended with a great gife coming during the gray and cold days of January.

LW, thank you for bringing back so many great memories.

For a few years before the Beatles, I had become bored with rock and listened almost exclusively to jazz or classical. Then along came the Beatles and I was hooked. Long Day's Night was the icing on the cake. I loved the joy and exuberance and the truly imaginative lyrics and rhythms, plus the Beatles playfulness and energy.

I will always associate Happy Just to Dance With You with the most romantic evening I ever had.

Off to Amazon.com for the dvd and for Ebert's book. I have loved the reviews you have included with each movie.

This movie has a special place in my heart. I was just entering my teen age years when the Beatles hit the American shores. When this movie came to town my friends and I were in full blown Beatlemania. We would buy a ticket for the first matinee on Saturday and stay for three shows. Then come back on Sunday and do it all over again.

I've always been a little indifferent to the Beatles, but a few years ago Mrs. Hazlitt read a book about them, then another and another. I don't know how many in all. Then we rented the movies, first and foremost "Hard Days Night." Next came the eight video documentery of their careers. In short, I live with a dedicated fan.

I guess "Hard Days Night" is a great movie like Ebert and Mrs. Hazlitt say it is. I'll say one thing, they have enthusiasm.

When I hear my dear wife humming "Will you still need me? Will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?" I always hope she's thinking of me.