Beatles ’64 Documentary Review: Martin Scorsese-Produced Film on Fab Four
“Beatles ’64” on Disney+ offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the Fab Four. Produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by David Tedeschi, this documentary weaves together contemporary interviews and rare footage shot by the Maysles brothers.
One striking moment in the film features media theorist Marshall McLuhan, who once said, “The chances of your understanding anything going on in your own time are very small, except through the means provided by artists. Artists are people who enjoy living in the present.” This perspective is both challenged and reinforced by the candid access to John, Paul, George, and Ringo during their first U.S. visit in 1964.
Despite being on the brink of global stardom and practically confined by adoring fans at the Plaza Hotel in New York, the band members appear remarkably innocent and almost bewildered by the frenzy of Beatlemania. They still come across as the same goofy lads from Liverpool, with their trademark mop-top haircuts, viewing the chaos as more of a playful adventure. It’s only in retrospective interviews that they fully grasp the significance of that historical trip in their meteoric rise to fame.
“Beatles ’64” is a must-watch for fans looking to see a real-life rehearsal for ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’ The film captures a crucial moment in the band’s evolution and showcases the charm and charisma that would make them timeless icons in the world of music.
