Building on the success of the long-running documentary “Get Back” by Peter Jackson, Disney+ is presenting a new, never-before-seen film about the Beatles. A “angled” feature film on the English group: its conquest of America in February 1964. Two and a half months after the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, it was at the newly renamed JFK airport that Paul, John, George, Ringo and their team arrive in the birthplace of rock’n’roll. From New York to Miami via Washington, the filmmaker brothers Albert and David Maysles filmed everything about these fourteen days, the hysteria of the fans, the fury of the concerts… and the boredom at the 12e floor of the sumptuous Plaza Hotel.
“Unmixed” and remixed
Their archives constitute the core of this film co-produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by David Tedeschi, already editor of this film’s films on Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. Archivally known, these images have been carefully restored from the original negatives, and their long presentation is impressive. Young Lennon, Poupon McCartney, funny Ringo and George (still a minor for a few days) make up a troop of excited and rowdy kids.
The songs especially fascinate, thanks to the treatment of the concert soundtrack, “unmixed”: from a single sound source, each instrument has been isolated on a separate track. Remixed by Giles Martin, the whole thing reveals a musical power that was previously masked by the screams of the fans. For the fiery “Long Tally Sally” at the Washington Coliseum alone, this film is worth seeing.
As for recent interviews, those of Paul and Ringo do not contain anything important. Memories of Smokey Robinson, Ron Isley or David Lynch hit home. But the political context – although dear to the Beatles who refused to play in front of ethnically segregated audiences – is only skimmed over. Otherwise to assure us that the joy provided by the Liverpuldiens was the consolation expected by a country in mourning of its president.
“Beatles’64” by David Tedeschi, 1h30, on Disney+ from November 29.
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