THE BIRTH OF THE BEATLES

UK, 1979, 103 minutes, Colour.
Stephen Mackenna, Rod Culbertson.
Directed by Richard Marquand.

The Birth of the Beatles is a biographical feature made ten years after the group split up. It traces their origins in Liverpool, their early work as a group in Liverpool and Hamburg, Brian Epstein's taking them over as manager, their initial success especially with records and their leaving for their United States tour. The film has actors playing the part and the Beatles songs of that period are vocalised by the group 'Rain'. Not many of the lasting favourites or the almost classical songs are included in this film as they belong to the period immediately following.

The film is interesting in its way, shows a rather ugly Liverpool and ugly Hamburg and the struggle for the Beatles to get going. They were very young, did not have much money, were full of brashness and had to learn by their mistakes. John Lennon emerges as the leader but is rather harsh and ruthless in his leadership especially with the ousting of Peter Best as drummer and the replacement of him by Ringo Starr. (Peter Best contributes to the screenplay of this film.) The other Beatles do not emerge as strongly drawn characters from the film. However, Brian Epstein is well drawn and is shown to be an interesting and complex character - with shyness, organising ability, masterminding the Beatles' success. Attention is given to his homosexuality and presented in a sympathetic light. This raises questions about his personality, his success and his failures and his suicide. The film was directed by Richard Marquand, director of the occult thriller The Legacy.

1. An interesting biographical feature, part of musical history, a tribute to the Beatles and their origins, nostalgia, some explanation of the personalities, their work as a group, their music and success, a phenomenon of the '60s?

2. How well did the film work within the limits of its scope? The flashback from eve of the American tour? The origins in Liverpool and Hamburg, the gradual build-up to success, the development of the music, the limits of the songs included? The beginnings of response and audience knowledge of what ultimately happened?

3. The skill of the actors in impersonating the Beatles, their mannerisms, vocal patterns? Humour? 'Rain' and its reproduction of the Beatles sound? The selection of songs and the way that these were used as commentary and for cabaret work, the finale and the Ed Sullivan Show and 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand'?

4. The world of the '50s and '60s - as focused on the music, the rock 'n roll development, the trends of the '60s and the Beatles being ahead of their time? Groups, playing in cellars, the teenage response? Cabaret in England and Germany? Popularity, concerts? The ambition for recordings? The Beatles' technical skill and execution? Their responding to some need of teenagers for admiration, music? Why did they fulfil the needs?

5. The atmosphere of Liverpool and the way that it was filmed: the urban industrial city, English background, poverty, ugliness? The Beatles and their adolescence, school background, work? John Lennon's aunt and her comments? Lining up for auditions, Stu and his financial support after the success with his painting, his pretending to play? The feeling within the group and the solidarity of the Beatles? The other groups and their success? Ringo Starr and his work and skill?

6. The transition to Hamburg, the ugliness of the city, its night life and the film's concentration on this, the cellars where people met, danced, brawled? The ugly location, closeness to the cinema, the hard and long work? The response of the young audiences? The Beatles and their tiredness, poverty, eating corn flakes, where they lived. being under age., George Harrison being deported, the fire? The later return to Hamburg and success?

7. Stu and his love for Astrid? Her photographs and their look, the collage work? His return to her. his opting out of the group? The bashing in England and its repercussions on his headaches, pill-taking, his collapse and death?

8. Success in Liverpool, the teenagers and the schoolgirls talking, the clamour at the concert? The accident of Brian Epstein and his shop and selling the music, his going to the concert, his intuition about them?

9. The portrait of John Lennon - personality, at home, his aunt, relationship with Cynthia, her pregnancy, marriage? The irony of his later divorce and marriage to Yoko Ono? His aunt and her criticisms, her later visit when he was a success and the implied criticism? His humour, manner of speaking? Friendship with Stu and speech about him after his death? The bond that he created between the Beatles, controlling them? Their asking him to return and lead them? The ousting of Pete Best and his making Brian Epstein do it? The control of the concert and Ringo's success? His relationship with the various Beatles and pushing them? Harsh manner and control of Brian Epstein? The Beatles and their code - and Epstein's reminder that they were a group and not individuals? His ability in leading the group to weld success? His musical skills?

10. The portrait of Brian Epstein - his shop, going to the concert, shyness, the first conversation, the Beatles and their appointment and controlling him, his explanation of his plans, his hopes, hard work and contacts? Gaining the contract? George Martin and success with E.M.I.? The later comment of the press that he was their puppeteer? The background of his homosexuality and the way this was portrayed, his manner, shyness, his being bashed, John Lennon's sympathetic hearing of him and welcoming him into the group? The sadness of his later suicide?

11. The ousting of Pete Best - the impact on Pete, his being hurt, the teenagers and their support of him, Brian Epstein having to handle it for the others, their agreement but not ousting him themselves, the introduction of Ringo and his getting the audience on-side?

12. Success, the party, John Lennon's aunt arriving and looking at the party? John's ordering them out? Talk about being at the top?

13. The American tour, the fans at the airport, British groups not being a success in America, the Ed Sullivan Show and their performance and response? An appropriate place for the film to end?

14. The screenplay and its comments on various people analysing the effect of the Beatles, their appearance, age, hair, clothes? Manner of speaking and humour? Their music, in the rock 'n roll tradition, different? The psychological effect, entertainment value? The phenomenon of the Beatles in retrospect?