Plot summary

The lives of The Beatles in their most famous incarnation of George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr during their primary touring years of 1963 to 1966 is presented through archive footage and/or interviews. These interviews include with all four band members, others involved with the band at the time, and fans, including current day celebrities, in how the band affected their own lives then and now. Information is provided in that the band was not the overnight success it is thought to be when they virtually exploded onto the worldwide consciousness in 1963. Beyond the band members themselves and their music, the input of other key players into the band's success is shown, including that of manager Brian Epstein, press agent Derek Taylor, and music producer George Martin. The effect of their movies, especially the first, A Hard Day's Night (1964), which was an extension of their on stage fun loving, slightly cheeky, quick witted and friendly personae, on their success is shown. Their lives are shown against a backdrop of global events of the time, including the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy and the onset of the Vietnam War. The reasons behind their decision to stop touring, despite it being the most lucrative aspect of their careers, to focus on studio recording in 1966 is also presented, that decision which was not all of their own doing, and which had as a factor their changing musical tastes in only being able to experiment in a studio setting partly a result of growing into full fledged adults. Their sole post-1966 public performance in this foursome in 1969 concludes the documentary.—Huggo