“A Hard Day’s Night” featuring The Beatles is a low budget, mock film that showcases the classic beloved band unlike any other film. The movie starts out with the Fab Four running from screaming fans as they zip-zag their way onto a train to go to London to attempt to perform for television. Throughout the film each member of the band runs into some sort of distraction that makes the managers of the company not very happy. This film displays qualities of a conventional film and a unconventional film. Being conventional the film clearly has a plot and a goal to have The Beatles perform on television but they have to overcome hurtles that is the mischief that they create. The film can also be categorized as unconventional because it is a mock documentary with an off-beat, American director, Richard Lester, and a low income budget of $200,000. In today’s money the film would be about, according to CPI Inflation Calculator, $1,733,500. The average American film to make today is about $18 million. During the movie premiere everyone involved was worried if it would a success because they were taking a risky move. Luckily they were wrong.
Historically the film was at the height of The Beatles invasion, better known as Beatlemania. In their early years, 1963 to 1964, The Beatles were the new hype of their time. “A Hard Day’s Night” was released at the exact hype of their time allowing a balance of before the aftermath of Beatlemania. The band not only were a new age of music they are believed to be said the reason for the fall of Communism. According to Artemy Troitsky, Russian journalist/music critic, “The West spent millions of undermining Communism but it had much less impact then the Beatles. The Beatles, Paul, John, George and Ringo have done more for the fall of Communism, than any other western institution. They alienated a whole generation of young, well educated, urban, Soviet kids from their communist motherland.” The Beatles were the Soviets own worse enemy because they influenced political freedom, fashion, freedom of expression, and so much more. In retaliation the Soviets declared that they were the cause of all sinful acts. They even went so far to mock them by calling them “The Bugs.” This film was the perfect cap to The Beatles globalization.
Unfortunately every great band declines into their own plot’s falling action. Part of what launched The Beatles downfall was in an interview with John Lennon. To summarize he stated that Christianity will go fade away and that some of the teachings were wrong. One of his most popular quotes is “We are most popular then Jesus now.”
This interview was conducted in the UK but later printed in the United States which flared the hatred for the once loved band. The South went so far as to band their music from being played making their actions similar to The Soviets.
After watching the trailer, reading dossiers, and examining articles I became more and more curious about viewing the film. At first you are drawn in by the classic song “A Hard Day’s Night” and can not help but hum along. As the plot continues each of the four band members humored me with their British accents and quick comebacks. Throughout the movie the band plays a few of their famous songs like “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Tell Me Why.” My favorite parts of the film is when the band goes on their random adventures through the train station, through a building, and on the streets. These clips have no words but only one of their songs playing in the background. It reminds me of that The Beatles stand for. It is the freedom to enjoy life, have a mini adventure in your day (even if you are filming for television in London). They symbolize a new generation that blossoms into so much more than just rock and roll lovers. This is the youth of the ’70s and the entrepreneurs of the ’80s. The Beatles not only defeated Communism but they inspired millions through their music.
The film came out in 1964 along with other family favorites like Mary Poppins and My Fair Lady. Mary Poppins is about the bonding of family. My Fair Lady is about the reviving of the commoners. Everything in this period was about reinvention and innovation. Even some of the the most well known products are still around today such as Barbie, bell bottoms, and the Polaroid. Women’s rights were being voiced through some of the first digressive, active feminists such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Friedan, and Gloria Steinem. Along with all of this occurring The Beatles contribute to this historic period.
“Imagine all the people, sharing all the world…you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you will join us and the world will live as one.” John Lennon. In a world recovering from the war on Vietnam, fighting for civil rights, striving for peace The Beatles were one of the beams of hope that shined through these struggles. The film “A Hard Day’s Night” was the golden touch The Beatles gave to the world. They not only inspired the hidden fight of Communism, they also gave people the freedom to express themselves. This film summarized the Fab Fours humor, wit, and music in one simple plot line. It is one of a kind just like The Beatles.
Tamsen,
Was totally engrossed in every word of your essay. Wow! I also watched the same film and completely agree it was a mock of a documentary. I referred to it as a “mockumentary”.
Your take on how The Beatles led to the fall of communism was fascinating. I never looked at it that way but learnt so much by the way you wrote – so elegant and clean. A great interpretation.
I really admired your thoughts about reinvention and innovation. The Beatles were certainly pioneers of the music industry at a time where change and freedom of expression was becoming available to everyone – Soviets and women included!
Tamsen,
I really enjoyed your post.
I have not seen this film but find it really interesting that this was a low budget film. Additionally, the rise and fall and the connection you made to the dismantlement of communism is extremely interesting.
Also, I enjoyed the message you portrayed about the Beatles. Their message is all about freedom, the freedom to make choices. Which of course blended nicely with your analyses regarding that time period and the fall of communism.
Hi Tamsen! I think you took a really cool approach to a more popular option, and I really enjoyed reading your take. I especially liked your use of the phrase “mock film,” because I think that that really does a great job of defining the film. It was a bit of a challenge trying to figure out if it fits the norm of what a film is like, and mock film I think encompasses that nicely. I also really enjoyed that you included the historical context of the film, and I will definitely make sure to do a better job of incorporating that into my writing in the future. I didn’t even realize that there was so much critique of the Beatles following this time frame, so that was interesting to learn about as well. Great job!
Hi Tamsen!
I have not seen this film yet (I may have to now given how interested you made me in it!) But I think you did a good job at showing the history of the Beatles and how this incorporated into it. I looked up the trailer and thought it made the Beatles seem a little cocky which I think was validated by the “as popular as Christ” interview you posted. I liked getting to learn about the Beatles Invasion. Keep up the good work!
You did a really good job in writing this because it made me want to watch it. One thing I am puzzled about is, is it made with the real people? Was it really The Beatles? Because you called it a “mock documentary”, I now think it is made with the real people.
Tamsen,
I enjoyed the way you describe the movie and I totally agree that this movie was and will be a depicting on the cusp of transition in Britain. Your title is short and clear. A title that is looking for an answer and that ends with a question mark will always attract attention. This taught me that “A Hard Day’s Night” is more than just a bit of a laugh. It’s a fascinating look into what it was like to be a Beatles in the absurd and heady days of Beatlemania.
I really like how you started this post talking about the budget and what the calculates to money today. I find it confusing when money amounts are talked about so long ago and you have no idea what value that would be worth today. I believe that was a strong way to begin this post. I really enjoyed what I was able to learn and take away from your post.
Best Regards,
-Blake
Tamsen,
I really liked your take on this film. I remember seeing it a long time ago so I somewhat know the plot of the movie but I love that you gave more information about this film that I (and most of the readers) wouldn’t have known. I didn’t realize how much the budget of the film was in comparison to other films at the time. So it makes this film even that more important for pop culture. Showing how much influence they had on the industry in order to make an inexpensive film become globally popular. I’m sure that really inspired a lot of independent film makers who might not have had the budget of a major studio.
I also thought it was very interesting what you mentioned about the influence and impact they had on the Soviet youth. That is huge! Also the fact that you mentioned how they’re fame and influence really contributed to such an important era where a revolution was beginning to take place.
I thought it was a smart way to end the article too. Quoting a line from one of the Beatles songs was great touch.
I really enjoy reading your post! I have got a lot of information that I did not know before. The Beatles is one of my favorite bands. This movie didn’t spend much money, but it values much more than the movie it spent. Maybe some day I will watch this movie because your post really aroused my interest!
Tamsen, this is an incredible read. I am new to the film and music culture I lived a blind life and I am just now starting to realize the impact of music and movies in our world. This is so well written, it is interesting and does not drag on, I am inspired by you writing style. I love the way you analyzed the film and compared it to facts and research. I hope to learn more from reading your work.