A Hard Day's Night [Blu-ray]

Second Sight Films have done a reasonable job of bringing us what will probably become the definitive UK Blu-ray Disc release of the Beatle's first film. The film itself is now apparently owned by a rich American lawyer, Bruce A. Karsh, who I think controls the estate of Walter Shenson, and he has made this restoration possible! As this release was outside of Apple's control the extras are not quite as lavish or current as they perhaps might have been otherwise - but they are still fairly interesting and worth a watch.The restored film itself was shown on BBC4 recently to coincide with the films 50th anniversary so you may have seen it already - but even on BBC4 HD the resolution would not have been as good as the Blu-ray Disc version. So that is really the point of this release - even though the film was shot in black and white over 50 years ago the new 4K remaster makes it look as though it could have been filmed this year. The sound has also been improved with the mono soundtrack now being joined by new stereo and 5.1 Surround mixes by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell at Abbey Road.This release is obviously a must for most Beatles fans but the more casual viewer may be content with an earlier DVD version if they have one. There is no booklet included here, the detail on the cover is fairly limited and the bonus features are just OK. The restoration of the film and sound make this an unreserved five star release, and I guess Second Sight Films have done the best they could with the resources available to them. Not quite the product Apple could have produced had it been their call, however.A couple of technical points about the video restoration - although the remaster was into 4K the Blue-ray Disc format only gives us full HD at 1080P, the aspect ratio here is 1.75:1 (not quite 16:9 but almost) and the speed is 23.98 Frames Per Second. This UK release is similar to, but does not have all the extras of, the US release from the Criterion Collection.

This year, 2014,has a lot of big, Beatles anniversaries and this includes the 50th anniversary of the Beatles first movie, "A Hard Day's Night." This is a 2 DVD package; the first disc being the cleaned up, restored and remixed version of the movie and the second disc consisting of extra bonus features:In Their Own Words- interviews with the Beatles along with behind-the-scenes footage and photos.You Can't Do That: The Making of `A Hard Day's Night,' which is the documentary hosted by Phil Collins, released on video in 1995. I know a lot of fans really wanted this included on the last DVD release of the film, so I am sure that many will be delighted to have it in this package.Things They Said Today - this includes many interviews with people involved with the film, most of which I have seen before. Still, it is interesting to hear the stories from everyone from Alun Owen, actors and those behind the scenes.Picturewise -a new piece about Richard Lester's early work and includes an audio interview. A real shame that the UK release does not include The Running Jumping and Standing Still film, which is on the US edition of this. I am not sure what the reason is, but hopefully it may appear on the next repackaging...Anatomy of a Style -another mini documentary on Dick Lester's methods and styleAudio commentary with cast and crewNew 50th Anniversary TrailerFor those who have never seen the film, you are in for a treat. This is the Beatles in the midst of Beatlemania, when their huge success was just taking off and everything was new and exciting. They are also good actors - even Paul, who always seems to come in for criticism, is pretty good, ("I'd ask you myself, only I'm shy...."). They all acquit themselves well and the script and direction allows them to be natural and not have too much acting to do or lines to deliver. Experienced actors help carry the action, without perhaps overshadowing the Beatles themselves, in the way that John Lennon complained of in "Help" and it is fast moving; showcasing the Beatles charm, humour and charisma. Of course, it is meant to be a semi-fictional day in the life of the Beatles and it helped to highlight them as individual personalities, although some of the stereotypes did not perhaps do the Fabs many favours as time went on. Still, in this film they turn from `The Beatles' and become, "John, Paul, George and Ringo." Thank goodness some of the movie's backers did not get their way and allow the Beatles voices to be dubbed by other actors...Overall, this has a nice clean and crisp picture and excellent remixing of the music by Giles Martin. The film stands head and shoulders over any `pop' or `rock' movie made up to that point - and beyond. My own children, 7 and 9, love it and the appeal of the Beatles will live on forever. Now, can we fans please have The Beatles at Shea Stadium released on DVD?

In the early sixties there were many American films featuring popular artists of the time, usually set on a beach with bikini-clad girls cavorting around but with little or no story line.Then along came "A Hard Day's Night", which not only has a story line but a plausible one to boot!John, George, Paul and Ringo are delightful as themselves but I cannot but draw attention to the wonderful performance of Dublin-born Wilfred Bramble (Steptoe senior in the television series Steptoe and Son) as Paul's grandfather.Richard Lester not only fulfilled his brief to create a showcase for the Beatles but created a delightful comedy in the process.This is nothing less less than a little masterpiece of the genre.Two little asides, while filming George Harrison met Patti Boyd, his first wife who also appears in the film and in that lovely scene of Ringo walking along the canal bank the music playing is "This Boy" which does not feature on the soundtrack album. It is in fact one of their most difficult tracks to trace. Originally it was the "B" side of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" but can be found on The Beatles, Past Masters Volume I.Well worth watching!

Great film, great laugh, incredible music from the best band in the world.I met Pete Best a few years ago and he told me he is still a better drummer than Ringo, so is the jury out on that one, but let's be honest, Ringo did a great job with the lads, and if you are reading this Paul, Please answer my letters, your beautiful son James told me when he came to Nottingham, write to my Dad if you want to give him the microphone trophy you made for him and my Mum.VinceNottingham