Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely fantastic!
Review: I just got the DVD today. It comes with DTS and hours of features. I had the VHS version and was quite happy with that but now I am happier. The DVD version is definitely better in many ways.
For those who haven't got Beatles Anthology, buy it and you won't regret it. For those who have the LD or VHS version (and quite happy with it), buy the DVD version and you'll be happier!
Rating: 
Summary: The history of the Beatles
Review: Unlike the video "The Compleat Beatles" released years ago which gave an edited history (and edited music) of the Fab Four, the "Beatles Anthology" offers a complete history that is seen through not only the band's eyes but also prominent figures like George Martin. Also, the songs that are performed on the "Anthology" have not been reduced in time so one can enjoy the whole rendition.
Rating:
Summary: It's All Too Much
Review: As expansive in scope as any of the PBS documentaries that have come down the pike, Anthology wasn't just an attempt to tell The Beatles' story--it was an attempt to combine the band's story and two turbulent decades of change in the world. Anthology gives us The Beatles' story in microscopic detail. It also manages to provide a context for the band's music and why it touched (either in a positive or negative sense) a chord with the world.Change is never easy and society occasionally elects gurus to help with that burden. The Beatles were pushed into that role sometimes willingly but just as often not. As a long time fan of the band, I found Anthology engrossing and fun to watch. When I purchased the videotapes I found I didn't return to them very often. This kind of surprised me but I discovered that I didn't have much desire to watch them twice much less three or four times. Perhaps it's the media overkill society we live in. More than likely, it's simply the fact that I appreciate the history but the music means much more to me. What I occasionally will do is dip my foot in one part or another of the Anthology, swim for a couple of laps and then I return to the music refreshed. The inclusion of footage of the "Threatles" (as critics referred to them as a result of the Free As A Bird and Real Love sessions)jamming makes this collection much more essential than the previous version. It's a chance to see Paul, George and Ringo perform together for the first time since the break up of the band. A note of caution, however, is that these are exactly that--jamming with two yukes and percussion courtesy of Ringo's hands & pants. They aren't finished songs nor were they ever. It's still kind of cool is hear Paul occasionally perform with his acoustic (or electric) on a given tune to illustrate a point. Given Harrison's recent death, there's a sense of closure now that this footage has been released. These are just three guys playing songs they love because they want to not because they're trying to recapture the past. Likewise, the video footage on the making of Free As A Bird and Real Love. Both songs neither hurt nor hinder the Beatles legacy but give long time fans what they've been clamoring for all these years--a reunion of sorts where John, Paul, George and Ringo "perform" together. The inclusion of the footage from the recording sessions for Real Love and Free are also quite interesting. It provides a glimpse into the altered dynamic of the band. Without Lennon, they weren't quite The Beatles even with his ghostly voice haunting the studio monitors. In many respects, Paul, George and Ringo were paying tribute to a fallen comrad. All of that perspective was lost due to the media saturation and expectations when Anthology came out. Each member of the band had carved out a life and career and still managed to come to terms with a rewarding but difficult past. The bitterness of the divorce was more of a distant memory and the surviving trio was just trying to recapture that feeling of fun they had before they became an industry. Jeff Lynne faced much criticism at the time for his production of the two "new" Beatles songs. In fact, his sympathetic production ushers the material into the 90's without losing the very qualities that made the band's music so special. While the songs themselves aren't the best Lennon ever wrote (in fact Lennon, McCartney and Harrison wrote much better material during their often uneven solo careers), it's not the quality of the song that matters: what matters is the feeling brought to the performance of the tunes. It's not groundbreaking nor was it meant to be and it shows The Beatles as they really were--a really good band that made it very very big (to paraphrase John).The insights into the making of the Free video are particularly interesting. Director Joe Pykta discusses the origin of the concept, various additions, subtractions made to the video. It's a loving valentine to the band with witty references to oodles of Beatles songs. The impact of the band on popular music is put into perspective by Ringo when he commented that there were lots of big acts and very few monster acts (to paraphrase him). They were the monsters of rock music at a time when there was a lot of popularity for a lot of bands. It all came down to their level of success and their cultural impact as a result. The sound quality is terrific and although the remix to 5.1 will continue to generate debate amongst Beatles fans. Tampering with the past is touchy business much less a fan's memory of "how it was". Luckily, The Beatles themselves recognized that they were some mythical Holy Grail nor are they some sort of ancient artifact. The remix breathes new life into the older material allowing a new generation to appreciate how groundbreaking much of what the band accomplished really was. While there's a lot of essential material here, the Anthology really could have been edited down to a two or even three disc set. There is considerable repetition. That was necessarily, no doubt, because each member had not only their own recollections to share but their own agenda about the past as well. Nevertheless, the wealth of material is worthwhile having for hardcore Beatles fans and rock historians. Is it essential? Well that all depends on how important the era was to you and whether you feel the need to relive it again. As I said sometimes a short dip in the pool of memory refreshes both the soul and makes us appreciate the importance of what is past. The DVD is less awkward than the videos and more user friendly than both the laserdisc & videotape formats. The importance of the Anthology for fans goes beyond the music or any need to recapture the past. It's comfort video for the soul. Anthology manages to digest an important era in history with a fair perspective. The Beatles themselves recognized they weren't the pied-pipers of the era. They were just for guys making music they thought was important and trying to live down a reputation that was hoisted upon them by the media and a adoring world. Anthology is like an old coat you keep around because it's smells and touch bring life to distant memories. Now for the nasty stuff--criticism. The picture verges from fair to excellent. The earlier interviews of Paul, George & Ringo look like they were shot without either adequate lighting or on early digital video. The quality doesn't hold up to some of the other footage. The inclusion of the band's promotional videos and performances are great--but it would have been nice to have an option to play them without commentary or as supplements on the 5th disc. No doubt, Capitol plans on re-releasing the Red and Blue albums on DVD with the assorted collection of promo videos included (and there were quite a few). Anthology is a link to the past not buried by the past. Enjoy Beatles fans, at least some of the band's music has jumped into the DVD age.
Rating:
Summary: At Last!
Review: This is the pinnacle of all DVD releases! Of all the fantastic movies and various live performances which have been remastered to DVD, this is the ultimate! The Beatles revolutionized our pop culture unlike any other influence, and to have their story told on VHS tape didn't do it justice. There is not one bad song in their catalog, and bands are still trying to make "Revolver" and "Sgt. Peppers" to this day with no avail. I am really excited that they have finally released this monumental collection on DVD. The Beatles can do no wrong. Everything they release shoots straight to number one, and it's been 33 years since the four of them were last in studio together. Look for this collection to sell as hot if not hotter than the original VHS and subsequent CD releases in 1995-1996. Just look at their "One" album from 2 years ago. It's just a recompiled collection of their #1 chart toppers and it knocked 'NSync off the charts when it was released! The Beatles broke up 10 years before most 'NSync fans were even born. That's a testamant to the power of their music, and the scope of their influence. "Anthology" is recomended to ANY music fan, and if you are a Beatle fan I don't think you could be any happier. A great addition to "Anthology" is the bonus disc, which contains a very relaxed informal interview with Paul, George, and Ringo in 1995. Also, they take you back to Abbey Road studios one more time in 1995 to discuss how they made "Golden Slumbers", "I'm Only Sleeping", and their most phillisophical song "Tomorrow Never Knows". For all you musicians and producers, this is really fantastic. They break down the tracks so you hear each overdub and brilliant idea before the master edit. They get in to all the technical aspects. You can watch it 100 times and never get board!
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles... The Greatest Ever
Review: As a tremendous Beatles follower and admirer, I own all their albums and a good percentage of their solo work as well. I own various Beatles' videos, including the Anthology set. The Anthology (VHS) collection is simply brilliant and far greater--with an in-depth look at their career with various inerviews--than any other Beatle documentary previously compiled. The DVD version will be far superior than that of the VHS version as it includes much bonus material including the "Real Love" video and insights on the making and reuniting of the Beatles. If you do not own this and are not just a Beatles fan, but a fan of music, good music, then do yourself a favour and pick up this DVD set. Tho, it may be a bit pricy, it will be well worth it!
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Summary: Two out of three Timothy Swan's agree...
Review: I was in high school when the anthology was released in 1995. I saved for weeks to purchase the eight video set. This collection of videos is the most entertaining documentary on the Beatles I've ever seen. Many very funny moment and of course the great music. I have watched the anthology every year since it's original release. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles Anthology is a must for all Beatles' fans.
Review: I've been a Beatles' fan since I was 3 years of age and All I would see on Television is other people telling the story of The Beatles without proof to some rumors about what really happened to Paul during the "Paul is Dead" days, What was really said by John Lennon during an Interview with a Reporter which brought out The controversial speech about "Why The Beatles' where bigger than GOD.(An interview that was taken out of context)The reason why they had to stop touring,Or the real story about who really Broke up the group in the 1970's and ofcourse The History of their Drug Abuse.Well, I was happy when I purchased The VHS version.Like The Rolling Stones' Version of 25X5.The Continuing Adventures of the Rolling Stones.The Beatles also along with snipets of John Lennon answering questions that went along with The other three's memory of their history gave me a better insight of the group through their own words.I appeciated that they did it that way to silence the critics and to set the record straight about the rumors surronding the group.I also enjoyed The first video in many years of "Free as a bird" with John Lennon's original demo combinded with the mellow sounds of Paul and George Singing Background Like the old days in the 60's.I have to tell you .It made me cry to wonder what could have been if Lennon was alive and would the frenzy still continue after all these years.I would have wanted the other video "Real Love" with Post psychedelic overtones coveying to the later 1960's and early 70's.But the whole VHS series was just wonderful over all.Either if you get the VHS Version or the newly released DVD version with more extras( maybe with the two videos "Free as a bird","Real Love" and The Concert of the 3 surviving Beatles playing a mini concert that I have heard about.)I believe that you will not only enjoy The Beatles' Anthology.You are going to treasure it as I did.So get before it runs out.You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Beatles Anthology is the BEST DVD of all time!
Review: Yes, it is true. The Beatles Anthology is THE VERY BEST DVD release of all time. There is no question about this one; it truly deserves to belong in every DVD and Beatles home library. The picture is the best I have ever seen (only slightly better than the laserdisc version, and far superior to the VHS issue); sound quality is, undoubtedly, the finest there has ever been. The packaging perfectly compliments the discs which are contained inside. With this variation of the Anthology series, now available, people who have seen it can now see it in a whole new light. And for those folks that have not witnessed it as of yet, then they are in for a real treat. Of course; this review comes from a screening of the DVD that I only borrowed. I, myself, do NOT currently own my own copy of this program in this format, just yet. I only have it on both VHS and laserdisc. By owning it on DVD will help to make this collection complete!
Rating:
Summary: At last Ladies and Gentlemans THE ANTHOLOGY ON DVD
Review: One of the greatest new realeses of the year, at last, the Beatles Anthology on DVD, presented in 5.1 and DTS with the picture quality enhanced, all the eight legendary original videos on 4 discs plus a bonus dvd with more Anthology (approx 50 minutes) of rare and never before seen footage.
Full with extras, I own the collection on VHS and Laser Disc but i can't wait for the great quality of DVD, and the best of all a really great price.
A must have for everyone, beatles lovers and music lovers over the world
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best
Review: You can NEVER say that you are a true Beatles fan until you have seen all 8 parts of the anthology. It's a trip through some of the most ingenious, musical minds of our era. A must have for any fan!
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