Geoff Wonfor Movies

The Beatles Anthology: July '68 to the End utilizes rare archival footage, interviews produced specifically for this documentary, and a healthy amount of music to tell the emotionally painful story of the band's breakup. This episode begins with Ringo, believing the band doesn't care about him anymore, quitting the Beatles. The three others assure him he is a valuable member of the group and he returns to the fold. The band continues to produce The White Album, but are more often working as individuals in the studio and not as a cohesive band. There is a discussion about that album's place in history. The Apple boutique closes. That public failure is followed by an explanation of the creation of the most successful single in the United States, "Hey, Jude." The band takes up residence in Twickenham film studios with the intention of filming themselves writing and rehearsing a new album's worth of material. They planned on performing the new material in front of a live audience in order to end the documentary. An album would then be issued in conjunction with the release of the film. Unfortunately, the bandmembers were reaching the end of their emotional ropes with each other and what was filmed was a series of petty arguments interspersed with some fine music. George becomes so fed up he quits the band. He returns when work at Twickenham is ceased, and the band finishes the album at their Apple studio. Billy Preston is recruited to play keyboards on the album. His jocular attitude lightens the mood of all the bandmembers. Unable to agree on a place to perform the film-ending concert, the Beatles agree to play on the rooftop of Apple. The impromptu concert lasts until the police are called to stop it because of complaints about the noise. This would be the last live Beatles performance. The movie Let It Be became a document about the breakup of the band. Paul marries Linda Eastman the same day the police arrest George on drug charges. John marries Yoko. At this point, the documentary features statements from each of the Beatles concerning the band's dissolution. Allen Klein is brought in to stop Apple from hemorrhaging money because none of the bandmembers are competent businessmen. Wishing to end on a better note than the acrimonious Let It Be sessions, Paul calls up their producer George Martin and asks him to record one last album with the band. Abbey Road became the group's triumphant swan song (even though it was released before Let It Be). Ringo sums up the emotional dynamics of the Beatles when he states, "We were four guys who loved each other." This final episode of The Beatles Anthology ends with the video for "Free As a Bird," the first new Beatles song in 25 years. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

The Beatles Anthology: July '66 to June '67 follows the band through 12 months that start poorly with international backlash aimed at the Fab Four, but ends with their finest artistic achievement to that point. Archival footage, interviews produced specifically for this documentary, and an abundance of music are used to tell the story of this emotionally draining period. After escaping the debacle in the Philippines where they offended the Marcos family, the Beatles must face hostile press in America where John's remarks about being more popular than Jesus sparks outraged protest. The band continues to tour in the face of death threats and a growing hatred for the stifling aspects of life on the road. They play Candlestick Park in San Francisco, which turns out to be their last public concert. To commemorate their decision to retire from touring, the documentary offers a montage of performance highlights throughout their stage career to the strains of "For No One." Each of the individual Beatles spends time pursuing private interests. John acts in How I Won the War, George goes to India and learns the sitar, and Paul scores a film. The four reconvene at Abbey Road studios to begin work on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. They release "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane," both of which were intended for the album, as singles. The band discusses the genesis of the thematic concept for the album and the songs on it. There is an extended discussion of how "A Day in the Life" was constructed, featuring photographs of the orchestra utilized on the recording in Abbey Road. The band receives an almost instant approbation when Jimi Hendrix plays the opening track of the album at a concert in London just two days after the album was released. A minor scandal hits the band when Paul discloses to a reporter that he has taken LSD. This episode of The Beatles Anthology ends with the boys on a boat searching unsuccessfully for a Greek island they can buy to get away for a while. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

The effects of endless attention and the first backlash against the band are the subjects of The Beatles Anthology 4: August '64 to August '65. Utilizing interviews produced specifically for this documentary, archival footage, and a wealth of music, episode four of The Beatles Anthology opens with the band on its second U.S. tour. The beginning of the episode is chock full of live clips, press conferences, and screaming girls. The boys begin to bristle at the lack of freedom they have on the road, but do get to meet one of their idols, Bob Dylan. The release of Beatles for Sale, as well as performances of "I'm a Loser" and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" show Dylan's influence on the band's writing. Clips from their second movie, Help, are interspersed with recollections about making the film as well as an explanation that the band's drug of choice shifted from alcohol to marijuana during this time. The band's growing depth as songwriters is explored when Paul, George, and Ringo discuss how autobiographical the song "Help" was for John, as well as when Paul discusses the creation of "Yesterday." The band also discusses George's growing talent as a songwriter. The first scandal hits the group when they are awarded the Medal of the British Empire (MBE). Many feel they are undeserving, while others feel that the reward bestowed by the crown for good service to the country is meaningless. This is the first occasion where the Beatles face bad press. This episode ends with the boys being introduced by Ed Sullivan at their historic Shea Stadium concert. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Beatlemania sweeping through Europe is the topic of The Beatles Anthology 2: March '63 to February '64. Utilizing interviews produced specifically for this documentary, lots of recorded music, and a wealth of rarely seen television performances dating from the period, this episode follows the Fab Four as they achieve fame and success in their native England. Highlights include their Royal Command Performance before the queen, made famous by John Lennon asking the common people to clap and the people in the good seats to "rattle you jewelry." This episode traces the beginning of their chart success in England, culminating in their first British number one hit. The audience is treated to interviews explaining why the band did not want to go to America until they had a number one hit there, something that happened three weeks before their arrival in the States. The second episode of The Beatles Anthology ends with the boys in the air, being informed that a gigantic crowd is waiting to meet their plane when it lands at JFK International Airport. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Spandau Ballet: Live from the N.E.C. captures the very '80s band performing over a dozen of their songs. The setlist includes "Cross the Line," "With the Pride," "Fight for Ourselves," and "True." ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Best of the Beatles consists of former Beatle drummer Pete Best documenting the early history of the band when he was a member. He also confronts the reasons he was kicked out of the band for Ringo Starr just as they were about to become superstars all over the world. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi