Why do we still love the Beatles?
Even after 60 years, the Beatles’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show remains a key moment in pop culture history. Although they were massive in Europe, they were yet to conquer the US. But that didn’t last long. Now, in Beatles ’64, Disney+ returns us to the days of Beatlemania and introduces us to the young John, Paul, George and Ringo as they attempt to grapple with their unimaginable fame. More importantly though, the film wants to know why they set the world on fire in the first place.
Directed by David Tedeschi, Beatles ’64 is an exploration of the obsessive fandom surrounding one of rock n’ roll’s most iconic groups. Although the arrival of Elvis sent tremors through the pop culture zeitgeist, that was nothing compared to the shockwaves of Beatlemania. Even so, though their arrival on Ed Sullivan is widely held as a cultural tipping point, the frantic nature of their devotees only grew more fervent afterwards. In Beatles ’64, Tedeschi does a good job of exploring the impact of fan culture at a time when America was still embroiled in a time of social change. (And that doesn’t even take into account the fact that they were still reeling from the effects of the JFK assassination only 3 months earlier.)
In terms of footage, the film offers further footage of the Boys being boys. It’s always fun to see them balance performance and their real personalities. And Beatles ’64 offers delightful moments that reveal their charisma and charm. But the key question in Beatles ’64 is simple: why the Beatles? Through conversations with fans who were there during the height of their powers, we hear a myriad of possibilities ranging from their look (that haircut!) to their different personalities. Even so, it’s when ’64 taps into something deeper that the film peaks the most interest. To Tedeschi, these answers aren’t enough.
Instead, he believes that rock music does something to the soul.
Here, the film draws a direct line between the Beatles, their music and the effect that it has on their audience’s heart. There is something in the spirit of that particular generation that came alive through their music. (In fact, ’64 even compares it to a religious experience.) While fandom appeared shallow on the surface (and, for some, it was), Tedeschi connects the musical dots in ways that makes their response to seem as though the Beatles filled a void within them.
What’s more, by exploring the impact of the Beatles’ style upon the public, ’64 also taps into the conversation surrounding the racial roots of their sound. At a time when Pat Boone was stealing music from the Black community and ‘cleaning it up’ for white audiences, the Beatles were willing to stylistically emulate what made musicians like Little Richard so special. While they didn’t break down cultural barriers—’64 reveals that Black youth of the time weren’t necessarily impressed—the film does suggest that parental hatred of their music stems from an undercurrent of racism. In this way, the boys from Liverpool weren’t just ‘leading teenagers astray’.
They were tapping into racial fears from a generation embroiled in social change.
This are important conversations that are often ignored in documentaries surrounding the ‘Beetles with an A’. Too often, we are simply left to admire them for their talent. But Tedeschi does an excellent job of looking at more than just their musical legacy. In Beatles ’64, he recognizes that the cultural resonance of the Fab Four doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It’s tied into the very heart of a nation in turmoil.
However, despite its strength, ’64 still feels slightly disjointed. After finding massive success with Get Back and the return of Let it Be, Disney’s latest journey into Beatlemania feels a little bit of a step back. While the conversations between fans and band members are fascinating in moments, the film still feels as though it jumps between topics too quickly. Built around themes, Tedeschi uses footage from the past and the present with less direct connection to one another than the previous films. For instance, whereas Get Back’s willingness to sit patiently with the band highlighted their creative prowess, ’64 shifts between interview footage, present day conversations with the band and news reels from the mid-60s in ways that seem almost jarring at times. That’s not to say that this isn’t an utterly enjoyable ride with much to explore. It’s simply that it’s propensity to bounce around means that Beatles ’64 doesn’t quite hit the high notes set by its predecessors.
Even so, for any Beatles fan, Beatles ’64 still feels well worth streaming. In fact, it might even help viewers understand why they still care in the first place.
Beatles ‘64 is available on Disney+ on Friday, November 29th, 2024.
