Rating: 
Summary: Better Than VHS Version!
Review: The Extra Disk alone makes this set worth the price by adding the Real Love video that the VHS set left out. Sound is incredible also.
Rating:
Summary: about the Real Love Video on bonus disc...
Review: Initially I selected the Real Love video from the main menu on the special features disc, and I realized, as the video was playing, that there was no sound coming from my DVD player. I pressed the AUDIO button on the remote and noticed that the DVD player was on DTS mode (that's strange, I didn't select any audio mode previously, and my DVD player is set to play in the Dolby 5.1 mode by default). By pressing a second time the AUDIO button, I changed the setting to Dolby 5.1, and the problem was fixed. I guess this won't happen to those who have the appropiate audio equipment to enjoy DTS sound. Now my comments about the anthology itself: I got this DVD boxset (in its region 0, or region-free encoding release) just yesterday, and played only bits from all five discs to sample this material. When the documentary aired for the first time on ABC in late 1995, I was not able to watch all the programs; I remember watching the part when the Beatles were about to break up as a band, and when John, Paul, George and Ringo were playing on the roof. I enjoyed very much the versions of the songs that the Beatles played on that last part of the series, particularly Let It Be and the Long and Winding Road. The VHS videos of The Beatles Anthology were released here in Mexico in 1996 or 1997, but I didn't buy them then because I already had a DVD player and was amazed by the quality of audio and video that the DVD format is capable of deliver, so I decided to wait for the DVD release. From what I've seen so far now, I think it was worth waiting for this boxset, although I was hoping to see the "hawaiian" girls dancing at the end of the Hello Goodbye Number, instead of other material that the producers of the anthology decided to insert.
Rating:
Summary: The Beatles in their own words - and almost nobody else's
Review: Derek Taylor, the Beatles' press officer, has devoted his life in that job to maintaining and revivifying the Beatles myth. I don't mean that he tells lies about them, or that there's some sordid "truth" about the Beatles that he seeks to conceal (Albert Goldman, back to your seat!). I mean that he, more than most other people, has helped to shape the posthumous legend of the Beatles as being some kind of uber-human cultural force - what they themselves referred to as being "Fab". His liner notes to these DVDs are in that spirit - you'd think there were almost no other bands during the 60s from the way Taylor writes about this one. Still and all, he also observes (righteously) that the Beatles were the greatest romance of the 20th century. It's true. They were, with all the complicated glories implied by that intriguing word "romance". Maybe it's the quality of the music, maybe it's the power of the legend, but I always come away from encountering the Beatles feeling like I've just ended a wonderful, intense, electrifying but all-too-brief love affair. They can make you sad and happy at the same time. I'm happy that I've heard the songs, sad that there aren't more of them (and that a few of the existing ones aren't even better than they are), regretful that I was born after they split up and never got to see them, glad that they never stayed together and ended up getting old ... (OK, I don't much like "Free as a Bird", but I notice it's actually been covered by those monsters of rock terror King Crimson, another fave of mine, so there's another point on their card)...I could go on. Either way, the Beatles have an incredible capacity for making me feel more alive, that no other band has ever come near. They were the first band I ever liked and they'll always be my favourite. The "Anthology" series' greatest virtue is also its greatest flaw - that it's told almost entirely by the band itself (Lennon appearing in archive footage or voice-over.) We never get to hear from the women, for example, because Yoko Ono didn't want to take part - imagine what Cynthia Lennon might have contributed! ...Of the fans, almost the only contribution is some old B&W footage of a hapless Cavern denizen named Cathy, who you can see fearing that her beloved lads are being taken away from her - "I just want it to be like it was before," she wails, but it was too late even then. I watched this on British TV when it was first broadcast and it's not quite as great now as it seemed then. There seems to be an awful lot of not very interesting footage of the band performing "All My Loving" (never my favourite Beatle song) on some forgotten TV show or other. But it's balanced by a blistering live performance at the Washington Coliseum, in which the band truly wigs out, plus a generous selection of stuff from the great Shea Stadium film. (Why isn't it on video? I remember seeing it telly in the early 70s...) There's a lovely shot from that show of Brian Epstein, standing near the stage, calmly chewing gum, observing the teenage insanity around him and nodding to himself in quiet satisfaction - yeah, this is pretty much how popular I thought they would be. As the series goes on, you start to wish that the inevitable won't happen, but of course it does. They get swamped with acid and produce the gloriously poised "Sgt Pepper", but from then on it's increasingly tragic; no Beatle of 1964 would let something as dull as "Rocky Raccoon" or "Bungalow Bill" onto a proper album. They'd have saved it for the fan club discs. And for every three moments of glory in their later work, there are things like the dreary "Blue Jay Way" or the mean-minded "Piggies" to be taken into consideration. The Beatles at their best were so great, that at their worst it's heartbreaking how ordinary they could be. Watching scenes from "Let It Be" in which they bicker about guitar parts (Paul pompous, George sullen, John uninterested) is like overhearing your parents having a row in the next room. Fortunately they got it together for "Abbey Road"; but the second side of that album is notably less inspired than the first. Ringo always kept this band in perfect time, and when they broke up, it was with an immaculate sense of rhythm. (There used to be a joke that Ringo not only wasn't the best drummer in the world, he wasn't even the best drummer in the Beatles. But the joke betrays a tin ear. Ringo was in this band because the others knew talent when they heard it.) The coda, in which all four Beatles get to deliver a verdict of sorts, is for me the most touching part of the whole series. George is typically reflective, remarking on the spiritual and emotional cost of the whole thing to the Beatles themselves. Paul is just glad it was all done with such a great spirit of love and understanding behind it. (Granted, Paul, and there's no doubt that "Hey Jude" is as good as it gets; but please explain "Maxwell's Silver Hammer".) John, in what from its slightly defensive tone sounds like an interview from the very early 70s, says that they were just a rock band and breaking up isn't the end of the world - true, but this was no ordinary rock band. However, in my book Ringo steals the moment, clearly moved as he recalls the deep, private, four-way connection that this band forged during the maddest and hugest career any band ever had. They were the best. This is a priceless haul of Beatle stuff, more than any but the most rabid fan could ever want. But there were always generous like that. Don't worry, lads, you passed the audition.
Rating:
Summary: Just can't get enough of these guys.
Review: If you are a boomer, than you must consider yourself fortunate to have grown up at a time of exhilerating excitement and hope, epitomized by rock's greatest singer/songwriters. With the DVD release of Anthology, along with MOJO's current special series, this is a wonderful time to reflect back on the joy and wonder, and especially the power of the music that stirred a generation. I truely wish that others had followed in their footsteps that could bring similar bliss and enpowerment to subsequent generations, but I guess "the dream is over", or at least on long-term hold.
The anthology itself is superbly constructed, much better than what was aired on ABC years ago. Even at 10 hours there are large chunks missing (Stu's death, John's early marriage), but the important thing is that this document collects so much valuable audio and film/TV clips that not only remind just how much stuff the group produced in a decade, but also where it all came from. This really is a class act.
Onced upon a time is all we got to get us through the dark days, as we wait for new heroes to emerge to help us shake off the blue meanies once again.
Rating:
Summary: Were the Beatles truly "the greatest?"
Review: Almost eight years have passed since "The Beatles Anthology" first premiered, heavily edited, on commercial television. Having viewed the expanded footage, first in the VHS version released in the mid-1990s -- and now the DVD package I finished viewing during the past three days (in what were ten of the most enthralling and fastest-moving hours I've spent in front of the tube) -- it can now be stated, without reservation, that "The Beatles Anthology" is a marvel, even for contemporaries who may be wondering "what the fuss was all about" in this tale of four Liverpool lads who, despite their origins many years before 1964, ruled the USA radio airwaves for only seven years (1964 through 1970). "Anthology" renders it impossible for viewers to dismiss the group's accomplishments, their output of consistent musical masterpieces during the 1960s. I won't get into the guts of this, all covered fabulously by previous Amazon reviewers. But I do want to add this about the 2003 version of "Anthology." The special new features on disk #5 alone are worth getting this package all over again. With George Harrison now gone, the poignant "re-union and recollections" of the surviving members in 1994 for this documentary are on fuller display in previously unseen footage, and hence feel more meaningful to the viewer. They hang out on the grass, they jabber about stuff at the table, they swear and laugh. They play goofy music together in a room; they join their long-time producer George Martin, listening to studio outtakes on old reel-to-reel tapes. They're clearly enjoying themselves. We don't see as much "new" as we'd like, but we see enough to provide a sense of "closure," knowing that before the Beatles went their separate ways again after 1994, each surviving member had acknowledged their collective accomplishments with arguably greater love and respect than they did previously, especially in public. While "on-the-fence" fans, journalists or historians -- might've wished for greater coverage about the more controversial aspects of the Beatles' reign, the fact is -- nothing major that is negative has been left out of "Anthology" that's glaring (or galling). Moreover, despite possessing final approval for this project, without the Beatles' participation, we might not have this, the final record of the their accomplishments, expressed from the perspective of middle-aged guys looking back, armed with wisdom. The unprecedented access the surviving Beatles gave for this production enables us to hear their own words about what happened to them, rightly or wrongly -- their triumphs and tragedies, their successes and failures -- warts and all. Equally amazing is hearing John Lennon's voice throughout the documentary, so intelligent, witty and cynical all at once, providing great insight as to their motivations for success, how surprised they were when it came and how much it ruined them. Yet, as Harrison admits, success allowed the Beatles to re-invent themselves, to experiment, pushing them into new territories that enhanced and engraved the towering legacy they left behind. So much has been written and recorded about the Beatles that it's gratifying to know, especially with respect to new information dealing with the bittersweet and heartbreaking efforts associated with the creation of the Fab Four's 1995 release, "Free as a Bird" (covered in greater detail in the 2003 version), that the "Anthology's" producers never had a problem with "lacking " material. If anything, given the ingenious cutting and editing, 10 hours on five disks still leaves you wanting more. Production values are top-flight. No expense was spared, no corners cut. "Anthology" looks and feels like a zillion dollars. The re-mastered DTS audio tracks are magnificent, and the ability to access subtitles enables viewers to pick up even "PG-13" mutterings with greater clarity, stuff cut out of the commercial television version. Yeah, the Beatles, especially George and Ringo, let loose with swear words here and there, though not gratuitously, displaying unguarded emotions about what they loved and hated about being members of the world's most successful pop band. The question after watching "Anthology" is this. Is it still fair, in 2003, to say the Beatles were indeed "the greatest?" In my view, the answer is yes. "Anthology's" pictures, interviews and songs support the axiom that starbursts of genius remain the providence of the young. By the time the Beatles broke up in 1970, each member had just hit or had approached 30. They went out acrimoniously, but they also went out on top. No longer embarrassed by their association with a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, it's quite exhilarating to hear the surviving members, including John (seen in archival, post-break-up footage), acknowledge, despite myriad superstar musicians who have since followed, that in fact, as a team, they "did OK." As one of 'em says, "Yeah, I thought we did alright. We were a pretty good band." Flash forward to 2003. Hearing such understated words, combined with stellar concert footage, interviews, rehearsal sessions filled with gaffes, news coverage of their exploits, the creation of their theatrical films, their growing maturity with lyrics and melodies -- solidifies what "objective" historians must now agree -- that the Beatles' place in history as one of the greatest artistic/creative collaborations of the ages is forever preserved. More than 40 years after the group's struggling days in Liverpool and Hamburg, it's indeed safer to declare, once again, that the Beatles and their spectacular accomplishments -- will be endlessly studied -- even centuries from now. And I'm not quite sure why -- but to me -- this is beyond comforting.
Rating:
Summary: So pleased they finally released it on DVD
Review: When this series first aired on television in 1995, I was very happy to see it. Very very interesting, I love watching shows dealing with music history. Other than some archival soundbytes, there is no narration in this mini-series. The story is told by the Beatles themselves (as well as appearances by George Martin and others). Some time after being televised, it was released on VHS but at the time I found it quite expensive, and also I must have known that DVD was on the horizon. So I decided not to buy it on tapes. And I promptly forgot about it. Then in March 2003, I was searching on the internet for something totally unrelated when I stumbled upon the news that The Beatles Anthology was to be released on DVD about two weeks from the time I discovered the news. Fantastic I thought. I bought it only a couple of days after it came out and am very happy with it. The first time it was shown on television it was heavily edited into 3 x 2 hour episodes (approx). So it was terrific to see all the stuff we missed out on the first time around. The bonus disc has interesting tidbits, showing the boys recalling those incredible times in their past, having a bit of a jam session, and putting together "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love", the Beatles tracks of the '90s. This is the sort of mini-series that all Beatles fans and those interested in music history in general must have in their collection. It is the story of the most successful musical group of the twentieth century, perhaps of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Beatles Anthology DVD
Review: BRAVO!..BRAVO!..BRAVO! What a masterpiece. Rare and extensive concert footage, interviews, detailed and often humorous recollections from the fab four, etc...etc... If you are a die hard Beatles fan, or just a new listener who wants to know all about the group, this DVD set is a MUST. No Beatle collection, big or small, is "compleat" without this.
I just wish this box set was around in video form twenty three years ago when most young people still knew who the Beatles were and John Lennon was still alive. I believe it would have been the biggest video seller in history back then, generated so much new interest, and just maybe that could have prompted a Beatles reunion?? What took so long for all this great footage to surface?
If you like the Beatles, you will feel you know them personally after seeing this. Just buy it and enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect all around!
Review: First there was the ABC special, then the 3 double-CDs plus two CD singles of the new Beatles songs ("Free As a Bird" & "Real Love"), then the 8-volume VHS, then the massive Anthology hardcover book, now a massive papaerback, then all of the promotional material (pins, shirts, even small CD cases)....now it is the four DVD pack PLUS that special bonus DVD with the "Real Love" video and more unseen foortage from the '94, '95 sessions. Aside from the unseen/unheard Beatles material that were recently uncovered by police, we have it all. What other band can put together a CD of all of their #1's (Beatles 1) and sell 8 million. What other band can put out three double-CD sets and all go to number 1?? Only the Beatles...and I'm proud to love them. The DVD collection is extraordinary!! It is sharp, it is vivid and it's worth every penny. I'm glad to know that George was around to see the explosion of the most recent Beatlemania and he would have loved to see these DVDs but I am sad the John never got to see any of this. It is the Anthology series that Paul, George and Ringo have opened up in recent years to say they were proud to be Beatles and I believe if John were here, he would have felt the same. Enjoy these DVDs...they are perfect all around!
Rating:
Summary: AN ABSOLUTE "MUST HAVE"
Review: Mine came in the mail, today and I am very pleased with it. So far, I've only watched the bonus disc and the first chapter of the original set. The picture quality of the original set is about equal to the VHS, maybe just a bit better. But, the audio is easily superior. "In My Life" and the other songs that I've heard so far, sound better than even the CD's. The bonus disc is great. I wasn't disappointed at all. I didn't detect any of the "cold shoulder" between George and Paul, as I'd read in earlier reviews. On several of the chapters, the picture quality is stunning, couldn't be better. According to some of the dialogue, parts of the bonus disc were apparently filmed in '99 and maybe even after November, 2001, when George died. I suppose they must have used high resolution cameras, due to the advent of DVD's. My favorite segment of the jam is "Blue Moon of Kentucky." They do it "Elvis style" and it's great. The chapter layouts are done very nicely. The only improvement that comes to mind would be if they'd "isolated" all the songs from the entire set, so they could be readily accessed. BTW, the running time is 11 hours & 34 minutes. Not bad for a total investment of [$$$]. This is a "must have" for all true fans.
Rating:
Summary: Too much is never enough!
Review: This is absolutely the final word on The Beatles, from those who know best, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and George Martin. Just about everything you could ever want from them is there. Nothing is skimmed over. From the days they were born, to when John and Paul first met, all the way to the break up. The DVD even includes great "new" (at least it was when this was originally made) footage of Paul, George and Ringo together again. And, if there is any part of this set you feel the need to skip over, it's much easier on disc. If you are a die hard fan, you must own this set. This isn't for the casual fan, though, because it is long. But it is worth it.
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