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The Beatles - The First U.S. Visit

The Beatles - The First U.S. Visit

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The "Real" Hard Day's Night
Review: Having been born in 1962, I wasn't able to witness the hysteria that surrounded the Beatles' 1st trip to America; until now. This video puts you right in the middle of everything they experienced (well, almost) on their February, 1964 trip. Their arrival, and press conference, at Idlewild Airport, taxi rides, photo shoots, after hours parties and all 3 Ed Sullivan Show appearances in their entirety. Also included are 3 songs from the Washington Coliseum concert. After watching this video, it's easy to understand why Americans were captivated by these guys. It's also very apparent why the Beatles could only tolerate this "mania" for 2 more years. I wish I could have experienced it firsthand.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Indispensable!
Review: I viewed this for the first time recently and was wondering why I had waited so long to get this. As a Beatle fan this film is a must-have and a testament to the marvel, charm, and magic of The Beatles. The live performance scenes from the Ed Sullivan shows are worth the price alone; the picture is clear and the sound is excellent, and I was (I'm not afraid to admit) a bit misty-eyed as I watched these guys perform some of their best songs from the early days. These ain't some lip-sync'd, fake MTV-styled performances. I had never seen these clips before and what a treasure they are. The concert scenes are something else-they are grainy, dark and barely audible, but again, it's great to see the lads perform live anytime. In this day of forgettable boy bands, idiotic dance music, and tuneless, mindless rap it is refreshing to listen and watch the masters perform real music.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Incredible, a reception that any other artist have received
Review: When you watch The Beatles:First US Visit, you understand why the Beatles are so important.The DVD brings the historical appearence in the Ed Sullivan Show(My favorite track of the show is I Want to Hold Your Hand) and the Washington Concert(this show is avaiable too in the Anthology).And of course in the, DVD you can see the histerical fans to see the 4 Liverpool Stars and others things.You are going to love much more the Beatles when you watch this DVD

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I LOVE IT, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! THIS IS JUST PLAIN FUN!
Review: I love this video. I really do. I am SO GLAD that I have it. This is such a treat!

This delightful video traces the Beatles' first visit to the U.S. in February, 1964. The video opens with New York disc jockey Murray ("the K") Kaufman, introducing the Beatles via radio. Fans flock to the airport in masse to greet the Beatles' plane, Pan Am flight 101 on February 7, 1964.

The Beatles themselves are trailed from the minute they step off the plane to the limo to their hotel to their endorsement of AM-radio station, WINS per Murray the K. From the hotel, we, the viewers are treated to the Beatles' first performance on Ed Sullivan's TV show on February 9, 1964. From that point, we are ushered along with the Beatles via train to Washington, D.C. for a live concert. After we "Twist and Shout" there, we then travel to Miami with the Beatles for a special performance on Ed Sullivan.

From Florida, the video tracks the Beatles to New York for their February 16, 1964 performance on Ed Sullivan. One wants to cheer for them -- the music is as fresh, vibrant and fun as it was in 1964.

After the famous Ed Sullivan performance, we then rejoin the Beatles for some light banter and impromptu jamming in their hotel rooms. After a light hearted respite, we then board the plane bound for England.

I love this video. It is pure fun, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR...
Review: This is an engaging documentary of The Beatles' first U.S. visit. What makes it so fascinating are their performances on the Ed Sullivan show, which are captured here. Digitally remastered, this early television footage has been expertly restored, enabling the viewers to see and hear The Beatles, as they first appeared on American television.

Cheeky and exhuberant, The Beatles, occasionally off key but having the time of their lives, have not lost the capacity for knocking the socks off the viewer, as they are brimming over with vitality and the joy of life. They are truly wonderful to watch, as well as hear. Fortunately, the video covers all their performances on Ed Sullivan, and what a treat they are! It is sad to think that already two of them, John and George, are no longer with us.

The film documents a more innocent and simple time. It captured The Beatles on the threshold of international fame. It memorialized for all time their first U.S. visit with footage shot in railroad cars, hotel rooms, and limousines. Some of it is somewhat self-conscious, and some of it is playful fun. It also memorialized the reactions of their fans. The film is a daily cinema verite testament to that first visit.

This is a very good documentary that is well worth having soley for the performances of The Beatles. There are over thirteen of them, and the tracks have been digitally remastered for your listening pleasure. Overall, however, the documentary lacks some cohesion, due to the cinema verite nature of the film. Still, it is a worthwhile documentary to have, if only for those wonderful Ed Sullivam performances. If one wants a historical overview of The Beatles, one may also wish to view the more in depth and complex documentary, "The Compleat Beatles".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect Summary Of Their First Visit
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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect Summary Of Their First Visit
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.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Absolutely worth buying
Review: It has been mentioned if you have purchased the "Anthology" on dvd as well as the "Ed Sullivan Shows" than you need not buy this....not so. There is plenty of previously unreleased scenes along with the filmmaker's commentary to keep ones interest. I remember when the Beatles were on Sullivan and I thoroughly enjoyed this dvd although if you want the Sullivan appearances in their entirety than yes buy thay dvd as well. Highly recommend.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 4 regular guys who were geniuses
Review: In addition to a Hard Day's Night, this is a must have. It really shows why people all over the world regard The Beatles as a magical group. How four "boys next door" who never caught up in their fame (but have the best time doing it) happen to turn the music world on its ear with humor, a unique sound, original songs, and a blend of harmony that is so appealing that no one can deny.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Like Exploding Fireworks They Made a Splash and Now Are Gone
Review: I Saw Them on The Ed Sullivan Show - not in the theater but on TV - and it is a good DVD. Brings back many memories of what must be the top "band" of all time. They were just an overwhelming success that came suddenly from nowhere then seemingly overnight buried the King - Elvis.

But I still prefer some of their later work done in the time window between when they had returned from India and had matured to when they broke up. But this DVD is fine. Some gimmick value. But what other rock band was being played by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops or various famous symphany orchestras around the world? Not many. It was magic.

4 stars.

Jack in Toronto


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