Rating: 
Summary: An excellent set
Review: [This text refers to the DVD edition.]The Beatles are, without question, one of the greatest rock bands the world has ever seen. More likely than not, they have influenced more rock and roll artists than any other artist out there. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr knew how to rock and roll - no questions asked. The band's story has been told a number of times, in a number of formats. But in 1996, the three surviving members of the band got together, so that they could tell their story themselves. What resulted was The Beatles Anthology, an eight-tape set of the band's history. And at long last, the set has arrived on DVD! Read on for my review of The Beatles Anthology. BASIC PLOT:
To put it simply, this is the band telling their story. The three surviving members of the band reunited to make this possible. And since the story is coming from the actual band members, you know it's accurate. Tons of audio and visual material is featured here, to make the story as vivid and accurate as possible. From the band's earliest days to their final days together as a band, this set doesn't omit any important details of the band's history or discography. FILM OPINIONS:
This is an excellent set. If you're a fan of the band but are only familiar with their music, and not the history of the band, this is THE BEST way to discover it. Some of the information you learn here will surprise and amaze you. It helps to have a very basic knowledge of the band's history before you begin watching, but that's not required. DVD:
The DVD release of this set is VERY nice for a number of reasons. First of all, the eight-tape set has been condensed to four DVDs! To make it even better, the band added a ninth part to the set, which is the fifth disc. This disc is nothing but bonus material. You'll get to see "making of" documentaries for Free As A Bird and Real Love, the songs the band reunited to complete for the Anthology CD releases. But the best thing about the DVD version? It costs less than the old VHS one! OVERALL:
If you like the Beatles, you're going to love The Beatles Anthology. If you don't like them, get off my planet. Also, be sure you check out the band's accompanying Anthology CD releases, which feature rare demo tracks. This set is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - end of story.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good
Review: I liked this series, especially the various live footage, but I also have a few complaints. "The Beatles Anthology" is a VERY nice, almost fawning, portrayal of the Beatles, and their bitter and sometimes even hate-filled breakup is made to look like a friendly mutual decision where everybody loooooooves each other and just want to move on with their lives, yadayadayada. The fact that comments from the three surviving Beatles (anno 1996-97) and their various associates are never commented upon or analyzed in any way makes "The Beatles Anthology" a bit of a bland experience at times...some sort of unbiased commentary (other than various newscasters in old 60s TV clips) would have been nice.
As it is, "Anthology" just rolls along, a bit monotously, offering a pleasant, often entertaining look at the career of the Beatles, but never analyzing or explaining or commenting or just seeing things in a larger historical context, and that's really a shame.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This is a must have for any Beatles fans out there. It's about the Beatles, by the Beatles. Can't get any more exact information than that... I've watched it so many times I don't think I can even count that high! It's really awesome. It has interviews, music videos, movie clips... You name it, it's in there.
The last few chapters were very sad; I was in tears!
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive
Review: This can answer the question, "what was the hoopla all about?". For the price of the softcover "Anthology" book and the DVD AND the CD sets, that comes to how much the original VHS tapes cost.
The DVD set sounded and looked great, the extra disc is worth having, esp. since George passed away. It is sad that John wasn't around to take part in it, but he's very much there throughout the documentary. I'm not sure if "Imagine" (the movie on his life)is on DVD yet, but would also be a great addition to this one. "Lennon Legend" will be out soon as of this writing, so will the "Ed Sullivan" DVD. But I hope that they will wind up putting out a DVD collection of their songs. Between existing video footage, animation, clever editing,rare photos and home movies, and footage of the times, I think it's possible.
Rating:
Summary: Essential..
Review: It's really hard to quibble with this outstanding collection since it contains more archival and performance footage than any previous compilation. While there have been dozens of attempts to tell the Beatles'incredible story throughout the years, this anthology is the most complete. To call it a documentary would be an understatement, there is simply so much history and material here 5 discs almost seem skimpy. For us music lovers, this is a must, the bulk of the Shea Stadium Concert is here (is there a moment more magical than Ed Sullivan introducing the band and watching the kids go berserk when the boys come running out onto the field and take to the stage?), or watching a year later as they perform "Nowhere Man" live, very accurately but clearly very tired (just watch Ringo's face and posture)and one of my favorite sequences, the full clips of "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane" (check the matching red coats and the new longer hair and mustaches!), the recording sessions for "Get Back" (as a Black man, it's a trip to see my family friend Billy Preston hanging around Twikenham Studios chatting with The Fab Four, but he was there!)right down to the final, very moving clip of "Something" with the guys all cavorting with their wives in some beautiful pastoral settings, no longer a band, but 4 men who have grown up together, conquered the world and are now ready to go their separate ways. We all know that the end of the band wasn't happy or even civil, but this seems an appropriate way to close that particular chapter. The updated recollections by the surviving band members (George's are very poignant, especially now) are priceless since time, history and age have given them fresh perspective and Paul's in depth commentary on their creative process (LP covers, photography, musical direction etc.)is quite candid. The bonus material on disc 5 has become nearly as legendary as the music and film footage on the other discs since it was nearly a decade ago that the entire "Anthology...."project started. This is indespensible, for diehard fans like myself or for the casual admirer.
Rating:
Summary: i wish lennon was alive
Review: to see this beautiful story of thee greatest band in the world. But Yoko did a good job in his stead as one of the creators of this movie. other than that a-hole killing lennon and him not bein' able to be there this is an awsome bio.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone must own this set!
Review: To begin, I was not a huge Beatles fan. I loved their music, but did not really know much history behind the band. That changed when I met my wife, a huge Beatles fan. She convinced me to buy this set, and it was worth it. I now know more about the Beatles than I ever imagined. These DVD's are pretty much perfect. It is an extraordinary experience seeing and hearing the Beatles play in Dolby Digital Surround sound. I would highly recommend this set to everyone - Beatle fan or not.
Rating:
Summary: I give it 1000000000 stars (if i could)
Review: WOW. What a DVD collection. This is by far the best collection of musical AND non musical DVDs my eyes have ever seen. If i was a history teacher i would bring that in and have my students watch those...yes...parents...they are that good. Every cent i payed for the Anthology collection was well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: wow.
Review: Honestly, I thought I was a true Beatles fan before I watched this DVD collection... not even close. These are the most amazing DVD's I own, and believe me, I watch them over and over and over. The interviews give such an insight into the minds of the Beatles. The live performances are incredible! The inside-the-studio audio clips/outtakes are hilarious! There are not enough praises I can give. My recommendation: these DVD's are worth every cent.
Rating:
Summary: A must for any Beatles fan
Review: This DVD set will give you a complete and in-depth knowledge of the Beatles. I was a fan of the Beatles before I purchased this set, but I am now even more of a fan. Do yourself a favor and purchase this set before it goes out of print. On the other hand, don't purchase this if you are not a fan of documentaries because that is exactly what this is.
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