Rating: 
Summary: A Taste of History
Review: For those that lived that memorable weekend in February of 1964, this documentary brings back memories that we didn't know we had. Ironically, documentation can often destroy even the best-remembered thoughts. This movie does more to enhance those thoughts and correct those inaccuracies while bringing back the warmth of those "Brit's with Hair like Girls"Although shot only a few months before the actual filming of "A Hard Days Night" their journey from New York to Miami strongly resembles their first movie. For a true fan, it's like watching Columbus sail the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria across the Atlantic. The quips are real, the moods are real and watching them reset their own equipment on stage in Washington is remarkable. Not made for just anyone, but for a true fan it is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: Historically interesting and entertaining
Review: This black-and-white documentary chronicling the Beatles' first US visit in 1964 is very interesting for the historical perspective it gives. Hate 'em or love 'em, there is no doubt the Beatles completely shook up the music world. Some of the crowd reactions are scary/funny with their frenzied screaming fanaticism. Much of it is comprised of the Beatles in hotel rooms as they watch TV, smoke cigarettes incessantly, and chat among themselves, or going out and about town, or riding in trains. This is intercut with various DJ's discussing the upcoming Ed Sullivan show event, crowds and crowd comments, and the actual appearance of the Beatles on that show. The sound and image of the straight documentary portion is pretty good. However, the appearance from the Washington Coliseum concert comes across very poorly, mostly due to the limitations of the original recording and skimpy stage equipment. At one point, when Ringo gets to sing "I Wanna Be Your Man", he is barely heard. There is a 50-minute "making of" the 80-minute documentary, as well as a commentary by the film-makers, and a booklet with some quotes and photographs. If you like the early Beatles, this is the DVD for you.
Rating: 
Summary: The Beatles
Review: The DVD itself is amazing. It really shows america how important and how much of a influence The Beatles were to the U.S. Great DVD, so go and buy it!!
Rating:
Summary: So Much Younger Than Today
Review: The second the Beatles step foot off the plane at JFK, the US was never the same. Here it the film that proves that statement .Captured in black and white are the sights and sounds of the Beatles in NYC in 1964. The highlights that gets this DVD repeated viewing is that all of the boy's songs performances from Ed Sullivan's really big show are included.
What is sometimes forgotten in the history of the Beatles is that they were a hell of a live rock and roll band. After these performance on Sullivan we would never see the Beatles play like this again. The public view of John Paul George and Ringo goes from this moment in time , to Hard Days Night, which is a recreation of this moment . Then check out the opening shot of Help. It features the Beatles all dressed in black, not smiling and their eyes saying "we are not the really Fab Four any more. Now thanks to this DVD we can relive our baby steps of Rock
Rating:
Summary: ANYONE WHO LOVES THE BEATLES...
Review: This dvd is perfect for any beatles fan. It has many enjoyable moments and concerts. You also get a chance to see the fab four off stage, and having fun. Emphisizing one scene where they are at The Peppermint Lounge. Ringo gets on the dance floor. Once you see this film the first time, you'll be watching it over and over again. It is impossible to watch this ony a few times. I love this dvd. The only problem is that I wish it wasn't in black & white! Oh well. The picture quality is excellent otherwise. (Except when you watch the Extras.) Anyone who loves The Beatles NEEDS TO GET THIS! Whatever age you are, it's a must have!
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles in New York, Miami and DC
Review: The Beatles came together in 1962. They toured England, had three number one hits, and were a big success. On February 7, 1964, they landed at Kennedy International Airport in New York. Two days later they would be seen by 73,000,000 Americans on the Ed Sullivan Show. This DVD shows that time period through an hour and a half of historic black and white footage. Featured here are four songs from that landmark Sullivan appearance, plus two others. Also there are three songs from their Washington, DC concert, their first American gig. In between concert footage, this documentary shows the Beatles behind the scenes. All in all a splendid effort. Any Beatles fan will treasure this documentary as a beautiful piece of history.
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles, and America... Redux
Review: Enough time has elapsed now for a new generation to come of age one step removed from the Beatle experience. This film may not explain WHY the Beatles had the impact they did, but it does a fair job of depicting HOW the reaction manifested in so many awe-struck youngsters.
More than anything else, this film is a time capsule. First, it reveals a lot about Beatlemania (at its apogee) from the perspective of the Beatles themselves, at the eye of the media carnival that engulfed them in February 1964. There's lots of intimate, light-hearted footage of the boys at rest, on travel, and as camera-wielding tourists. The Beatles' legendary wit and photogenic charm are evident throughout. It's a fair guess that this film captures them just before their success became a crutch. You wouldn't guess that John Lennon was the leader of the group just on the basis of this film alone. He sometimes appears subdued and bewildered by the commotion around him. In contrast, Paul McCartney was as much of a ham at age 21 as he is now as one of rock music's elder statemen. Paul commands a LOT of screen time, and provided lead vocals for the first two songs in that initial (and explosive) three-song set on the first Ed Sullivan Show. Their musicianship in these performances was crisp and effortless, depite the technological limitations of that era's audio/visual equipment. It actually was not bad at all for four guys who were only 20 to 23 years old.
Second, the film depicts American baby boomers just as their age and numbers were reaching a critical mass that proved irresitible to Madison Avenue and the media. It's been said elsewhere that reaction to the Beatles' arrival served as an emotional release for adolescents who were only 79 days beyond the JFK assassination. The film's many kid-on-the street interviews are a fascinating glimpse of rapidly-fading 1950s innocence, soon to be replaced by the liberated and expressive 1960s counter-culture.
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles
Review: From the sound of "I Saw Her Standing There" to their arrival back in England, this DVD is exceptional. Not too long and not too short, it shows the Fab Four's highlights in their first American visit-including several spectacular Ed Sullvian performances. The audio/video quality is not as good in Washington, D.C. but the footage is nevertheless an important part of the visit. The off-stage material is excellent as it portrays them as true gentlemen. Enormously entertaining, revealing and informative...this is a great DVD.
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