Departure of The Beatles Movie
The Beatles movies are a phenomenon that will never be replicated. Although divided into four parts – A Hard Day’s Night (1964), Help! (1965), Magical Mystery Tour (1967), and Yellow Submarine (1968) – it was as one cohesive cinematic package that made an indelible mark on pop culture. After the break up of the band, it have become clear that the fabled band will never again create and act in their own films. The idea of a world without the Beatles movie is daunting. This article endeavors to discuss what the legacy and effects of not having another movie would be.
As a means of indulging audiences’ fantasys, the films depicted the Beatles as having superpowers, saving the world, or being chased by criminals. Through this, fans actively projected themselves into the mythology created by the Beatles movies. This acted as an escape for fans from their mundane lives. In addition, the films provided insight and entertainment to fans that would never be possible in a concert. It gave audiences a glimpse into the lives of the four lads from Liverpool.
It is also important to note that the Beatles movies had a much broader purpose. It was for this reason that they are considered influential films, rather than just works of promotional fan service. In A Hard Day’s Night, the directors – Richard Lester and Walter Shenson – presented the Beatles as open-hearted, singing from the soul about love, while simultaneously managing to introduce aspects of British satire into the mix. In turn, they made comedy, love and politics entertaining.
The musical side of the Beatles was further displayed in subsequent movies, where they acted as intermediary narrators to creatively convey musical messages. According to David M. Oakes, author of Understanding Beatles Movies: “They took to the screen what had made them as popular musicians, combining witty and offbeat lyrics with infectious, danceable rhythms.”
The Beatles movie was also groundbreaking for to other forms of entertainment. It introduced many facets to film that have since been used in multiple works of art. It gave permission to directors to use quick jumpcuts, fast editing, and hand-held camera shots – features now commonly found in today’s movies. In the eyes of Richard Lester, there is a Beatles stamp across the entire range of film-making. He comments: “These things, one doesn’t even think of as being significantly Beatle’ish and certainly they revert back to films I did before the Beatles there is, I think, a stamp. I can’t say what it is… but I kind of feel it’s there.”
New Directions
The legacy of the Beatles movies would have been different if different directions had been taken with the films. For instance, if comedy not love had been the main focus, the films would have had a different appeal. As it stands, comedic elements were used as a tool to project the ideas of love, friendship and solidarity. The reason they worked so well within the Beatles movies is because of the bands’ own chemistry and camaraderie. It is highly unlikely that another band of four from Liverpool could live up to the hype of the Beatles.
Filmmakers such as Edgar Wright and Michel Gondry have openly and widely credited the Beatles’ influence when it comes to the development of their careers. For a band such as the Beatles to have impacted the likes of today’s filmmakers in such a way should be proof enough that it is impossible to create an analogous film, regardless of how well-researched and convincing it may be.
It is also important to consider that revivals or remakes of Beatles movies would not be met with the same level of enthusiasm as the originals. It would be difficult to convey the same themes in a world quite foreign to the one in which the original films were made – both socially and politically. It is highly unlikely that directors could recreate the authenticity found in the original Beatles movies.
Modern Context
In today’s context, it might be naïve to expect the Beatles movies to attain the same level of success as before. Audacements have drastically altered. Films now trying to obtain a higher production value through the use of computer-generated graphics and effects.
The rise of the MCU and DCU may be proof enough of how today’s audiences prefer seeing superhero films to song-and-dance pictures. It is unlikely that any kind of musical film would be met with the same enthusiasm as the Beatles films due to current cultural tastes.
The lack of exposure to musical films may be another barrier. The Beatles films were renowned for their soundtrack and most studios do not have the resources to produce a full-length musical today. As such, it may be easier to produce a Marvel-style film than try to invest in a musical production.
Cultural Awareness
According to John Covach, Professor of Music Theory at the University of Rochester, it is currently impossible to recreate the level of “cultural awakening” felt during the release of the Beatles’ films today. Although the world is increasingly becoming globalised, Covach believes that there may not ever be a bands whose cultural impact is felt on such a grand scale.
The loss of The Beatles movies, then, would be a sad reflection of the cultural awareness currently prevailing in society. This is highly disheartening as the original films did more than entertain fans – they educated and impacted people in drastically positive ways. Consequently, if the world loses the potential of having another Beatles movie, it is not just an issue of losing entertainment, but also of losing an awareness and understanding of culture.
Relying on Technology
If a world without the Beatles movie comes to fruition, it may be impossible to truly recreate the zeitgeist of the original movies with the help of technology. Although computers, machines, and software have become integral to film production, production requires more than technology. It needs a connection with cultural touchpoints. In that regard, it would be impossible to accurately replicate the atmosphere and social fabric associated with the original films.
Although asking for studio execs to go out on a limb and make a new Beatles movie might be idealistic, it would still beg the question of what form the story might take. Without The Beatles in the picture, any attempt to rekindle the spark would end up being an imitation of the original. The modern music scene is simply too diverse, with too many subcultures within it, to recreate the effect the Beatles had.
World Without The Beatles Movie
The implications of living in a world without a Beatles movie are far-reaching. It would mean that the original films’ message of love, friendship, and unity will not be spread to a new audience. Moreover, the world would be deprived of the chance to view the film as it was originally meant to be seen – as a powerful, timeless, and beautiful piece of cinematic art.
The Beatles movies were integral in creating an accessible link between the fans and the Beatles themselves. To not have the chance to watch a movie revolving around the original four lads from Liverpool is a disheartening prospect. Most importantly, it would indicate a loss of heritage, and a loss of cultural understanding.
Modern Influence
As the Beatles’ fame began to spread, it transcended their music and crossed over into the worlds of art, literature, television, theater, and even film. With the passing of time, The Beatles’ influence has become even more deeply entrenched in popular culture, reinforcing the idea that their effect was and is far-reaching and powerful.
The influence of the Beatles movies on later popular films has been immense. Even when compared to other musical films, the influence of The Beatles movies remains unmatched. No other musical act in cinema history has left such an impression. Most, if not all, films that feature a band or singers as lead characters owe their existence to the Beatles film.
It is also worth noting that the Beatles’ effect has transcended generations, making their music and cinematic works widely beloved by people of all ages. Although subsequent generations may have viewed certain aspects of the movie differently, the same sentiment runs through the hearts of all – that of love, joy, and a break from the mundane.
Cultural Divide
In a world without The Beatles movie, it
