Rating: 
Summary: Five Star Movie - Zero Star DVD
Review: This is one of my top ten favorite movies of all time. I have been waiting since last summer when I relived this classic in the theater for this release. What a shame the result is the biggest train wreck of a DVD to come out in the last five years. Here are the problems as you will notice them:1. The cover is stupid. It looks like a variation on Let it Be wrapped in tin foil. Don't mess with a clssic... 2. The "extras": two discs and no outtakes, commercials, trailers? ...didn't there you used to be a great little collage thing w/ "Things we said today" on the VHS tape that played right before the credits start? I loved that thing and yet its nowhere to be found here. I haven't watched the interviews yet so I can't comment on what is actually here. 3. The sound: Too much bass in the 5.1 remixes of the songs. Why no option for a stereo mix or the origanl mono? The dialouge sounds great but the music made me adjust my sub. The transfer is great...
Rating: 
Summary: Appoach this DVD with EXTREME CAUTION!
Review: Hard to believe that Miramax Entertainment could mess up this DVD so horribly. An anniversary release of one of the most important films of the 20th century no less. Shame on them. There are a lot of raves here about the fact that the film is being presented "letterboxed" for the first time. Actually, it's just the first time the top and bottom of the picture have been chopped off for no reason! "A Hard Day's Night" was filmed in Academy standard 1.37:1. Slightly wider than your average TV tube, but not anything close to the 1.66:1 chop job on the new DVD. Full-frame would have been the proper presentation. As for the audio...they DID clean up the dialog portions of the movie, so for perhaps the first time EVER, you can actually HEAR what everyone is saying - and it no longer sounds like they are speaking into an Edison cylinder recorder. But oh, the music. They replaced the original mono soundtrack with the standard mono AHDN CD to replace the overmodulated music on the original film. Never mind that there were a couple of different mixes in there that they should have left alone ("Tell Me Why", "And I Love Her", "If I Fell") - BUT...they went and added microdelay and phasing to create some kind of a half-assed 5.1 mix that through a standard stereo or mono downmixed output makes the audio sound phase-y and hollow. This is worse than the original mono mix (available on the original Beta & VHS release from 1982 or the print aired on AMC several years ago) and the fact that the standard mono mix was NOT made available as alternate audio on the disc (as it was on the "Yellow Submarine" DVD) is an oversight punishable by public stoning. As for all the bonus material...not ONE interview with an actual Beatle? Not even McCartney? The closest we get is George Martin? The person behind this mess is none other than Martin Lewis, self-proclaimed Beatle "expert" and all around media whore. Lewis' involvement explains why no-one at Apple would have anything to do with the project. With some two-hours of useless interviews as "bonus" material, here's what you DON'T get: The original theatrical trailers The reissue theatrical trailers The original theatrical "making-of" featurette The surviving outtake footage ("You Can't Do That") [which, as a sidenote was left off the MPI DVD, making having the VHS & Laserdisc necessary] The aforementioned MPI documentary DVD Any surviving still photos of the other missing sequences Running commentary on an alternate audio track The promised (but not included) Richard Lester's "Running Jumping Standing Still Movie" Anything of any relevance. What makes this all the worse is that the image looks terrific. However, it's been so horribly trashed that the only proper place for this DVD is the trash can or as a trade in at the used DVD store. Anyone who owns the original MPI DVD should hold on to it and save thier tewnty bucks. Thanks to my friend Steve for enlightening me on this...
Rating: 
Summary: Nostalgia
Review: A Hard Days Night brings back all the wonderful memories of my teenage years in England, going wild for any sign of the Beatkes whether it be live or on the TV. Buying their records as soon as they came out, dancing to their music at the Palais De Danse or Colmans dance hall. I think we are so overloaded with modern technical "stuff" that we may review this flick in the wrong light instead of letting it bring back the youth in us. I love it as I love all the Beatles music, films etc. but then coming from England I am biased. They didn't have to be great actors, it was the moment that we loved and lived. <...
Rating:
Summary: Deluxe DVD version of a classic motion picture...
Review: I agree with other reviewers that the DVD packaging leaves a bit to be desired (at least why not a more durable plastic slipcase?). Except for that minor gripe, this is a highly recommended ultimate version of a classic movie. Although of course there is a storyline, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT plays more like an irreverent, art-exaggerates-life documentary, balancing timeless music with fast-paced, witty off-stage interplay that hasn't grown stale with the passage of decades. I noticed that the 5.1 mix is used only for the music; the dialogue portions are center-speaker only (the audio transitions are smooth, though). I suppose some will quibble that because of this you are no longer watching the original theatrical release, but it adds dramatic effect to go from mono to 5.1 for the music, so I'd consider it an improvement. There is an excellent documentary to fill out disc one; disc two is full of interviews--albeit not with any Beatles--that provide interesting anecdotes, but will probably not warrant many repeat viewings except by Beatle fans (but since you are getting two DVDs for the price of one, think of it as a free bonus disc).
Rating: 
Summary: Still the best rock movie ever; hatchet job on the sound
Review: Other reviewers will adequately discuss the historical and societal influences of this film. A Hard Day's Night remains the classic rock and roll film and totally captures Beatlemania in the 1960s. This review is merely to point out the one major flaw in the DVD release. The DVD was going along fine - having seen the film well over 50 times in my lifetime, I watched - and enjoyed - all of the bonus material and interviews. For this being touted as the "definitive DVD release" it was disappointing that only fringe players were included (granted, John and George and Walter Shenson are dead, but I'd have thought that some vintage interview footage could have been culled from the archives and included in this package. Even so, the remembrances were delightful and fun to watch. I am more than just a little bit disappointed in the sound of the Scala Theatre concert sequence. I really don't know what the producers were thinking when they mixed this audio sequence so poorly. It sounds as though the Beatles are singing into a big hollow trash can. This segment sounds worse than the worst bootleg recordings making the rounds. What a terrible disappointment that during the climactic concert 'finale' the sound quality is so terrible.
Rating:
Summary: ON DVD AGAIN, FOR THE FIRST TIME
Review: First up, the picture looks fantastic. Just like it did back in '64. Black blacks and white whites, the glare of that hot spotlight on Paul during "And I Love Her" into the cool shadow is transferred beautifully. And the extras, there are tons of them, from Richard Lester on down. View them complete or incorporated into the documentary on the making of the film. However, none of The Beatles partake in any of the supplements of this landmark film. George Martin gives a brief rundown, song by song, of the score.(His remarks on "And I Love Her" a song I would have thought to be completely up his alley, was a particular surprise.) But his honesty, ultimately, is most welcome. But not having any of the guys on camera or tape, gives the DVD another level of mythical satus, that in the end works in its favor. They're forever young, like James Dean, and Beatlemania can be revisited without the glare of your own age, or the suriving members, hitting you in the face on the way in or out.Some caveats though. The film is presented in its original aspect ratio, always a plus in my book. However, this is a rare example that works against the film. In the extras, clips from the film are shown full frame and the images are more involving as such. You're able to step inside the movie, immerse yourself and be totally involved. The easy solution would be to have both versions available on the same disc, a very common practice today. But that's not done here. For such a deluxe packaging, it's mystifying. And how about that packaging? Instead of the wonderful poster used in the UK, or the exitement of the one sheet used here in America, there's this bland, boring packaging that you have to look at closely to identify it as having anything to do with A HARD DAY'S NIGHT or The Beatles. There's an interview with the actress who had a scene with Paul on his excursion (each Beatle had one,which pointed out Ringo's lack of one) but it was cut before the film's premiere and sadly does not seem to exist. Only stills remain. Didn't they film "You Can't Do That" for the concert sequence? Richard Lester talks about cutting a number there, but doesn't say which one. I expected the extras to include "I'll Cry Instead" but that's not here either. Now to the big one, the sound. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT despite the talent involved, was a low budget quickie (Post production was a few weeks!!!!!) and the sound was always a problem. With the thick Liverpudlian accents and the rapid, and I do mean rapid dialogue (HIS GIRL FRIDAY plays like an Ingmar Bergman film after this) it always took at least three viewings to catch all the dialogue.And while the sound quality of the songs was always of a higher standard than the dialogue soundtrack, somehow the technicians got it good enough so that it blended to a whole. Here however the songs so obviously come from another sound source that you're thrown out of the picture when they start up. Also, even more disturbing, the high frequencies are rolled off, leaving the songs, with a bigger bottom end than top. To somebody's ears I guess this sounded good. Cleaner, more polished, perhaps. But I've never heard these songs sound like this, not even when I'd fool around with my equalizer while listening to the soundtrack. It takes away from the excitement of the score. I had expected something different from the sound, something on the order of the YELLOW SUBMARINE remix actually. But not this! While my memory of the film may not be exact, I know you didn't hear the complete fade out of the title song in the opening credits, I thought I remembered a bit of it being played as it blended with screams of the railway station girls,while the producing and directing credits are shown. Here the song ends abruptly as soon as John stops singing. It jarred me as being not correct, so I was on the "lookout" for any sound deviations after that. I'm all for cleaning up old soundtracks, some of these films can become pretty noisy in their old age, but you can go too far and wind up shaving off the "sound of the room" as is constantly being done with older films by people who are being paid to know better. This isn't really a problem here, but I'd rather have a small amount of "noise" on the soundtrack as opposed to that "dead quiet" soundtrack that removes frequencies from the film track so that it's aurally as quiet as films being made today. I'm "only" a consumer and I'm not supposed to know better. But I do. Five-star movie. Four-star DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A cinematic wonder--not just because it is by the Beatles...
Review: although that helps too. Everyone's sugar-coated view of The Beatles was manifested in this movie. The boys were in their 20's when this was filmed, yet they playfully romp through this film like energetic 16 year olds. Of course, the most fascinating part of the film is the music--which is lip synched by the Beatles on film yet compensated for by the wonderful photography and shots of their faces. Each Beatle's personality was taken and exaggerated to the point of caricature for the sake of humor, yet the Liverpudlian wit was not at all an imagined element of The Beatles. Ringo Starr was hailed as the "next Charlie Chaplin" for his role in the film. Indeed, he was a natural on film but so were Paul's wide-eyed innocent glances, John's rascally smirks, and George's deadpan quips. A true classic.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Movie; Disappointing Collection
Review: First of all, why does ... list this movie as "A Hard Day's Night ~ John Lennon"? There were three other Beatles, after all, and the Beatles were the trailblazers in not having a "lead" personality. I was really looking forward to receiving this DVD, primarily because it was advertised prior to release as including "The Running, Jumping, & Standing Still Film." This is one of Richard Lester's earlier works, in which I understand you can see a lot of the visual style which became a part of "A Hard Day's Night." So what happened to it? Miramax has given us a two-disc set with lots and lots of interviews with everybody connected with the movie. They all tell us what great guys the Beatles were, how talented, etc., but it gets a bit repetitious. Also, "You Can't Do That," the filmed performance that didn't make the final cut of the movie, isn't here. Nor is the "baby carriage" interview, or footage of the film's premieres. All in all, a disappointing DVD package of one of the great all-time classics.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, fantastic, amazing
Review: This is pure joy, happiness, humor, innocence as well as cutting humor. My lord how I miss the Beatles and how amazing they were. It was sooo cool to watch this with my 15 year old son. That was aboout the age when I first saw this movie in the movies and I remember not being able to hear a word with the girls screaming. So natural and had such a improvisational look. THANK YOU Miramax for reviving this classic for history's sake. The picture quality was fantastic and to hear those songs in stereo was fantastic. How on earth did these 4 guys from Liverpool change so much of our culture. Please, let there be some people who can be as amazing and transcending as the Beatles come again !! That old man should have won the best supporting actor. Ringo was soooo funny. George ... well. Tried to explain to my son that how their look was considered so anti-establishment, and controversial. They look so neat !! I did cry a litle after, for the genius of the writing, the renevating of the classic and how sad, sad that George and John aren't here anymore.
Rating:
Summary: My 2 year old will also know the Beatles
Review: I sure am glad I raised my 14, 11, and 6 year old children right! Musically, their tastes range from Nirvana to Gaelic Storm to The Moody Blues to Glenn Miller to Bill Monroe to Jimmy Eat World and on and on. But just ask them who their favorite group of all time is and they'll let you know without hesitation that it's The Beatles. So it was with great anticipation that we all sat down in front of the telly and watched A Hard Day's Night tonight. I purposely have not watched this movie in years because I knew that one day it would be out on DVD, and that time is here and now. In glorious black and white John, George, Paul and Ringo burst onto the screen with all of their music and mayhem that was Beatlemania. No need to repeat what this flick is about - that's been done on countless other reviews - but I will say that the picture quality is phenomenal, the sound is so-so (especially on Can't Buy Me Love - like it came off of a vinyl bootleg record), and the extra's are fair. I particularly love the Liverpudlian accents and humor - and there IS loads of humor. George, the "quiet Beatle," especially, comes off hilarious in his dead pan comedic style. The story line is very basic, but holds the viewer throughout. To me, this movie is better and funnier now than when I first saw it on television back in the early '70's. (Imagine how even better this movie will be when my 2 year old is a teen!). The reason why I gave this movie a 4 is because of the sound and extra's. Could've been better. But the movie itself is absolutely GREAT!
To the younger viewers (and listeners)of this movie and Beatles music in general: remember this about this band - for their time, absolutely no one could compare with them. When looking at music charts of the Beatle era, for instance, you will notice that the other top selling songs of the day were so far behind what the Beatles were doing. While Ricky Nelson was singing "For You," the Beatles were belting "It Won't Be Long." While the Newbeats were singing "Bread and Butter," the Beatles were cranking out "Tell Me Why." Now, don't get me wrong, I like the above mentioned non-Beatle tunes, but when you compare other songs of the period to what the Beatles were doing, well, there is just no comparing, especially in the late 1965 through the 1967 period. ("Rain" was on the same chart as "Lil Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham. Talk about night versus day when it comes to musicianship and lyrics!).
I think it can be safely said that virtually all pop and rock music (aside from techno or rap) that came out after 1964 had a Beatle influence to some extent, from Frank Sinatra to Classical to even Country. That's quite an accomplishment. Even 'A Hard Day's Night' had a major influence on rock and roll movies and TV shows - just ask the Monkees.
Anyhow, check out this great flick and see the beginnings of a phenomena that still shines as brightly today as it did nearly 40 (!) years ago.
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