The Compleat Beatles
Encyclopedia
The Compleat Beatles, released in 1982, is a two-hour documentary, chronicling the career of the "Fab Four
". Though it has since been supplanted by the longer and more in-depth documentary Beatles Anthology
, The Compleat Beatles was for many years largely regarded as the definitive film about the Beatles.
Narrated by Malcolm McDowell
, it includes extensive interviews with a number of sources close to the Beatles. Some of the people interviewed are producer George Martin
, their first manager Allan Williams
, Cavern Club DJ
Bob Wooler
, music writer Bill Harry
, and musicians Gerry Marsden
, Billy J. Kramer
, Marianne Faithfull
, Billy Preston
, and Tony Sheridan
. It also includes archival footage of interviews with members of The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein
. The film also includes early concert footage, behind-the-scenes background on the making of their albums, and candid footage of their often obsessed, hysterical fans.
Directed by Patrick Montgomery, the film was produced by Delilah Films and released by MGM/UA. It enjoyed a brief theatrical release in 1984.
.
“They generally wrote their own songs…they would play them, one to the other…It was very much a competition, and a very healthy one.”—George Martin
“At the moment they were being given a philosophy in which they could live their lives as individuals, at that very second, Brian
died: the one who wanted them to be as a group.”—Marianne Faithfull
"The weary faces on the cover of the next British LP, Beatles for Sale
, showed that Beatlemania
was taking its toll."
"Millions bought the Sgt. Pepper
album. Critics and musicians everywhere praised it. It was the Beatles' masterpiece."
"Magical Mystery Tour
…was their first venture following Brian’s death. Largely a project of Paul
’s, the idea was to travel the English countryside in a bus filled with friends, actors and circus freaks, and to film whatever happened. Unfortunately, nothing did."
"It had to be stoically accepted that the Beatles were, in the end, a phenomenon of the sixties; the seventies, and beyond, were only to feel their influence."
"“Hey Jude
” was their first release from the newly formed Apple Corps
. The song was seven minutes long, double the length of most singles. Radio stations usually refused to play a song that lasted more than three, but once again the Beatles were the exception to the rule. “Hey Jude” became the Beatles’ largest-selling single of all."
"Over the last 18 months, John, George, and Ringo had all privately threatened to quit, only to be coaxed back by Paul. Now it was Paul's turn. The release of his solo album, McCartney
, on April 17, 1970 made it official. The Beatles, the greatest pop group of all time, were no more."
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
". Though it has since been supplanted by the longer and more in-depth documentary Beatles Anthology
The Beatles Anthology (film)
The Beatles Anthology is a documentary series on the career of The Beatles. It was broadcast on television in six abridged parts between November and December 1995. An eight volume VHS set and an 8 disc Laserdisc set were released on 5 September 1996...
, The Compleat Beatles was for many years largely regarded as the definitive film about the Beatles.
Narrated by Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
, it includes extensive interviews with a number of sources close to the Beatles. Some of the people interviewed are producer George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
, their first manager Allan Williams
Allan Williams
Allan Williams is a former businessman and promoter of Welsh descent. He was the original booking agent of The Beatles...
, Cavern Club DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Bob Wooler
Bob Wooler
Bob Wooler was most notable for being instrumental in introducing The Beatles to their manager, Brian Epstein, and as the DJ at The Cavern Club.-Career:...
, music writer Bill Harry
Bill Harry
Bill Harry is the creator of Mersey Beat, an important newspaper of the early 1960s, which focused on the Liverpool music scene...
, and musicians Gerry Marsden
Gerry Marsden
Gerard "Gerry" Marsden is an English musician and television personality, best known for being leader of the British band Gerry & the Pacemakers.-Biography:...
, Billy J. Kramer
Billy J. Kramer
Billy J. Kramer is a British Invasion/Merseybeat singer. In the 1960s he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, and he recorded several original Lennon and McCartney compositions.-Early life and career:He grew up as the youngest of seven siblings and attended the St George of...
, Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
, Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, and Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan
Tony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
. It also includes archival footage of interviews with members of The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein
Brian Epstein
Brian Samuel Epstein , was an English music entrepreneur, and is best known for being the manager of The Beatles up until his death. He also managed several other musical artists such as Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black, The Remo Four & The Cyrkle...
. The film also includes early concert footage, behind-the-scenes background on the making of their albums, and candid footage of their often obsessed, hysterical fans.
Directed by Patrick Montgomery, the film was produced by Delilah Films and released by MGM/UA. It enjoyed a brief theatrical release in 1984.
Quotations from the film
"It wasn't their music which sold them to me; it was their charm. They were very charming people."—George MartinGeorge Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
.
“They generally wrote their own songs…they would play them, one to the other…It was very much a competition, and a very healthy one.”—George Martin
“At the moment they were being given a philosophy in which they could live their lives as individuals, at that very second, Brian
Brian Epstein
Brian Samuel Epstein , was an English music entrepreneur, and is best known for being the manager of The Beatles up until his death. He also managed several other musical artists such as Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black, The Remo Four & The Cyrkle...
died: the one who wanted them to be as a group.”—Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
Narration in the film
These are extracts from the narration in the film - read (but not written) by Malcolm McDowell."The weary faces on the cover of the next British LP, Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale
Beatles for Sale is the fourth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released in late 1964 and produced by George Martin for Parlophone. The album marked a minor turning point in the evolution of Lennon and McCartney as lyricists, John Lennon particularly now showing interest in...
, showed that Beatlemania
Beatlemania
Beatlemania is a term that originated during the 1960s to describe the intense fan frenzy directed toward The Beatles during the early years of their success...
was taking its toll."
"Millions bought the Sgt. Pepper
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
album. Critics and musicians everywhere praised it. It was the Beatles' masterpiece."
"Magical Mystery Tour
Magical Mystery Tour (film)
Magical Mystery Tour is an hour-long British television film starring The Beatles that originally aired on BBC1 on 26 December 1967...
…was their first venture following Brian’s death. Largely a project of Paul
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
’s, the idea was to travel the English countryside in a bus filled with friends, actors and circus freaks, and to film whatever happened. Unfortunately, nothing did."
"It had to be stoically accepted that the Beatles were, in the end, a phenomenon of the sixties; the seventies, and beyond, were only to feel their influence."
"“Hey Jude
Hey Jude
"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not...
” was their first release from the newly formed Apple Corps
Apple Corps
Apple Corps Ltd. is a multi-armed multimedia corporation founded in January 1968 by the members of The Beatles to replace their earlier company and to form a conglomerate. Its name is a pun. Its chief division is Apple Records, which was launched in the same year...
. The song was seven minutes long, double the length of most singles. Radio stations usually refused to play a song that lasted more than three, but once again the Beatles were the exception to the rule. “Hey Jude” became the Beatles’ largest-selling single of all."
"Over the last 18 months, John, George, and Ringo had all privately threatened to quit, only to be coaxed back by Paul. Now it was Paul's turn. The release of his solo album, McCartney
McCartney (album)
McCartney is the debut solo album by Paul McCartney. Apart from Linda McCartney's vocal contributions, McCartney performed the entire album solo...
, on April 17, 1970 made it official. The Beatles, the greatest pop group of all time, were no more."