The Beatles Cinematic Universe 

Fun fact: In the late 1960s, the Beatles approached Stanley Kubrick about making a movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, that would have starred Paul as Frodo, Ringo as Sam, George as Gandalf, and John as Gollum. Obviously, that never ended up happening, but I really want to see the timeline where that movie was made.

The long telephone dialing scene in Help! is hilarious. It has a punch line. He's calling people in the same room. Perfect setup and payoff joke. It would be less funny if the telephone dialing didn't take as long. The belabored dialing makes you think the call must really be worth all the trouble.

I just love the pure joy and blissfulness of a hard days night. no drama, no hate, just friends messing around

Interesting fact. Paul Angelis who voiced Paul and Ringo in Yellow Submarine, his brother Michael Angelis took over from Ringo as the narrator for Thomas the tank engine.

The Nowhere Man sequence in Yellow Submarine is the reason that song is in my top five favorite Beatles songs. The image of the bad riding a rainbow and going in circles on a record fascinated me as a child.

Hard Day's Night is the ultimate comfort movie for me. Something about it is just so charming, it always cheers me up!

That video of John after Brian Epstein‘s death never fails to make me tear up. He looks like such a fucking lost kid, he basically lost another father figure, someone whom he dearly loved.

A Hard Day's Night and Help! are legitimately two of my favorite movies of all time and not just because I'm a huge Beatles fan. They're just so silly and fun.

41:57 This fucking transition had me in STICHES. Taking a journey through the career and slow breakdown of The Beatles as seen through the lens of their films knowing that it ends with Let It Be and hearing the somber title track evoked a sense of genuine emotion within me, then having it transition into "What the shittin hell" out of nowhere and cutting immediately back without missing a beat absolutely slayed me.

Fun fact: John gave away his Oscar that he won for Let It Be after a school wrote to him asking for something to auction off.

My son is an animator, and the Director of yellow submarine liked his film. It was the best moment of my life.

35:03 Incredibly fun fact: Mark Hamil has gone on record saying that this performance (That is, the Chief Blue Meanie) is where he drew his inspiration for Joker in BTAS. And going back to listen to it again... yeah that tracks so unbelievably well.

Heather McCartney goofing around with Uncle Ringo still makes my heart melt.

46:06 Ringo and Paul listening to a mournful song in an empty room, reminds me that both of them are the only members still alive… kinda foreshadowing 🥲

i love all their movies tbh

The unsung comic team-up of Roy Kinnear and Victor Spinetti is another reason to check out Help.

I love the ADR in Help. "Oh-ho-ho-ho. Ho Ho." "Ooh cold, cold snow" "Ah a pub, nice pub, lovely pub!"

You are absolutely the top tier of Beatles RU-vid. Thanks for your efforts.

17:16 i am convinced that the plan was to cut away after John dialed and he thought it would be funny to draw it out. And it is fucking hilarious.

Great video, Elliot. I grew up with The Beatles in the 60's. I was 7 years of age when I went to see A Hard Days' Night, a week after it opened in my home town. For a 7 year old, it was an electrifying experience. The line up for the film, was around the block, and then some. Luckily, my babysitter sitter and several of my friends, got tickets. It was sold out, no question. The moment the curtains opened up, Beatles were running, and the entire audience went insane! All the girls began screaming....and never stopped, until the end of the film. Once I left the theatre, I was a Beatles Fanatic...........I'm 66 now and I still am. Several years ago, I bought the Criterion set of the film.. Fantastic picture and sound. A year later (in '65) I repeated the same experience at the theatre.........nothing had changed. Love this film. As for Help!, I feel more strongly about it than A Hard Day's Night. (not saying it's a better film, just that I enjoy the fantasy element.) Yellow Submarine was a different experience for me. I was a little older at that point, so, I was expecting a different kind of film. At that young age, I certainly did not enjoy the animation. Mind you, I did like the music. Many years later, I changed my mind about this movie. I really appreciated it, still do. As for Let it Be, that's a different story altogether. I recall looking so forward to seeing it. It was in theatres in August 1970, here in Canada. On the day it opened, I had to have surgery on my knee. For the first time in my life, I missed going to the theatre to see a Beatles' film, when it opened. I eventually saw the film (at a midnight showing) in the late 70's. I did not care for it at all. For me, it was a depressing experience. The only part of the gilm I cared for, was the Rooftop concert. Now, when I viewed Get Back on Disney, I loved it. A far cry from Let it Be. Much more interesting. It looked great and sounded even better. Now, in ending, I did not mention Magical Mystery Tour. Reason: I don't care for it, period. It's saving grace is the music, love it. Anyway, I am so glad that these films have been preserved so well, many years later. I have all of them on Blu Ray & DVD & even, Bootleg (Let it Be). Once again, Elliot, great job in making this video. I really enjoy all of your Beatles' videos. Take care. (Sorry I rambled on so long, but, when talking about the Fab Four, I get carried away.)

Saw yellow submarine as a kid and it’s still one of my favourite films 35 years later.

My Dad introduced me to the Beatles through "Yellow Submarine". We were staying at a roadside motel at the time and he got it from the library. I can't understate the effect it had on me except it compelled me to seek out everything I could on the Beatles

Yellow Submarine on LSD is literally the coolest thing ever.

I remember stumbling upon Magical Mystery Tour when I was 9 or 10 before even having heard of any of their other movies and it was so surreal that I think it very heavily influenced my taste in music and film even to this day. Plus my mom walked in on me watching it during the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band striptease scene and grounded me from using the family computer for a month lol

I'm enamoured w/ the fact that they captured the Beatles' own walking styles for reference on Yellow Submarine.

This is an incredible video, maybe your best one. Such a thoughtful and dedicated insight into their visual side. The deep research, knowledge and the way is presented as an ejoyable and light hearted documentary is of the highest quality. Thank you Elliot, you've outdone yourself with this one. Please keep them coming!

They really should make a Beatles Television series that goes into detail about their formation all the way to John Lennon's death. I'd love to see something like that

"A genuine friendship, and unmistakable chemistry, among its lead cast". A brilliant observation, that sums up why this little movie was SO good in the end.

George’s “we had fun in those days” was a welcome positive comment. These films further document the Beatles filling in yet another pop culture niche. And, yes, Youre Going To Lose that Girl is is superb. Ive always loved it.

And I have to say, I really wholeheartedly LOVE the song, It's All Too Much.

Elliot just doesn’t get enough credit for the quality of his scripts, editing and patter. Props to you man

I personally love all the Beatles' performances in A Hard Day's Night, INCLUDING Paul.

As a child my absolute favourite film was A Hard Days Night. I had it on video and watched it so much that I completely wore out the tape. To this day I can pretty much recite the entire film by heart.

You literally read my mind Elliott. I was literally thinking about how much I wanted to see you release another video, and you pulled through. What's more, it's The Beatles. What else beats that?

God, this was good.

I can't believe how quickly they filmed, edited and released the first 2 films.

As a songwriter and a fan since 1980 who has read and seen "Everything" on The Beatles I'm always impressed by how your videos get me to see things from a different angle. I haven't seen Help probably in 30 years, partially because of John putting it down in his Rolling Stone interview. But am going to watch it again

I just watched AHDN with my almost-ten year old granddaughter last week! It was a real highlight for me because I was 10 years old in 1964 and saw it in the theater. It’s genius. I asked her which Beatle she enjoyed most and it was John, who as you pointed out, was a natural actor and quite hilarious. A few days later I caught her singing “Tell Me Why.” 😊 This was SUCH A GREAT VIDEO! I watch your videos more than once, always. So much excellent content. Thank you !

Your editing skills are so good, I'm genuinely jealous of how many little jokes you squeeze in from album outtakes or video clips from the films, its clear you put a ton of work into this video

17:19 I always thought that the point of the joke was that John sat there dialing the phone for what feels like forever just to wake everyone up, something he could have done almost instantly without having to do all that 😂

23:09 this scene always gets to me. You can just see and hear in his voice how shaken and destroyed he is over Brian’s death.

Maybe it's just me, but HELP is still one of my most joyous movie watches, even today. Yes, Another Girl is the pinnacle of the essence of The Beatles.

I love that Elliot had both the most hilarious transition into Help! and IMO a great lead into his talk about the film, without saying it, he shoots into the title song to talk about the film, it's great.

The Beatles movies are as iconic as their albums. My faves are Yellow Submarine and Help! The Anthologies and Get Back doc’s are also pretty good.

(46:01) "We open on Paul, aimlessly noodling on a piano, a kind of funeral march". That is an interesting take on what McCartney is playing in that scene. I've always felt that what Paul was playing there - is a very interesting piece of music with classical overtones... which had the potential to be molded into a beautiful track. I have always hoped that Paul would one day come back to it - and finish it as a track on one of his solo records.

28:00 I Love Cry For a Shadow. We did it in an all-girl New Wave Band. The SF Band Translator did an awesome version too.

Finally someone who agrees with me about the sheer perfection of the You're Going To Lose That Girl scene in Help! Fantastic stuff

Research: 10/10. Writing: 10/10. Presentation: 10/10. Production/Editing: 10/10. FINAL SCORE: 11/10. (You're Going To Lose That Girl is the first bona fide music video, and Elliot picked up on this!). Amazing video!!!

Yellow Submarine was the first animated film I ever saw. I was four or five at the time and it has just stuck with me ever since. It is one of my all-time favourite films.

Brilliant, Elliot! A Hard Day’s Night is pure comfort for me. I adore it so. I remember watching Yellow Submarine on Tv as a kid every summer. So beautifully animated.

31:07 the best intermission

2 things: it’s ironic that Paul was considered the worst actor because I think he had the best moment when he said, about his grandfather, “he’s very clean” #2 While Paul is not only my favorite Beatle, but also one of my top five heroes… I am very well aware of the fact that even in real life, he is very self-conscious and nervous… very difficult to watch him in interviews. His true self is seen best in Get Back. There we see what I think is probably the closest to being the real Paul

Most heartbreaking moment in cinema: Ringo in Yellow Submarine crying "I want me mam!" 😢

I never got that feeling from Paul in Hard days night. I thought he was pretty good.

"A Hard Day's Night" will always have my "Heart" !! Love the others, but I grew up on Black and White movies and it's just my favorite cause my Grandmother introduced me to them. She was a big fan !! 😊

That scene of them performing You're Gonna Lose That Girl I'm pretty sure was the inspiration for the Def Leppard music video for Love Bites. The lighting angles and silhouettes and background shots, everything is so on par with the Beatles in that scene.

"We just showed up a BIT stoned" Hmmm a bit, sure, sure, sure,

They really were a shining beam of growth.

Great video. In my opinion 49:11 you shouldn’t be looking at how bad let it be looks, it’s of the time but rather how spectacular get back looks. Some of the best restoration work I’ve ever seen

20:57 Paul smokes a bong during the end credits.

I think it's funny that Richard Lester went from directing A Hard Days Night (1964) & Help! (1965) to then going on to direct Superman II (1980) & Superman III (1983). What a career change.

I will be getting back into a Beatles music phase, and Elliot releases one of this the same day. It has happened multiple times. Fantastic video as usual. You have never lost your charming style. Keep up the good work.

Honestly, you posting videos is like Christmas! So lucky to have such brilliant and varied Beatles content!! Can't wait for the Ringo ranking (lol) and the inevitable Beatles ranking too....

When I was about 3 or 4 years old, I remember watching the beginning of Yellow Submarine on TV on New Years Eve in the mid 90s. It was way past my bedtime so my dad started recording it so I can watch it at later time. It was one of my most watched and one of my favourite films as a kid. I previous thought about getting tattoos done based on visual references from the film.

We should also not forget that The Beatles' movies -- particularly Help! -- inspired the TV show (and band) The Monkees who ended up outselling both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in 1967. 🙂

Help! Is what got me into the beatles so it's always my favorite. Yellow submarine is so unique and looks amazing.

Babe wake up new Elliot Roberts video just dropped and it’s almost an hour long and it’s Beatles related 🎉❤

Yellow Submarine unironically both the single greatest animated movie ever made and unequivocally the single greatest psychedelic experience anyone could ever wish for

I'm so unreasonably exited for your Beatles albums ranking to come out, this is one of the only channels that make really well made content about the Beatles so I'm always exited to see a new video 😭

As someone who lived through it all , I much appreciated it. Very well researched and presented. Thank you🙂

I admire your breakdown of the movies. So insightful. So grateful I found your channel.

Thank you for the passing nods to the music videos. Even from the start, in even in B&W, they were surreal windows into how the music and culture of the time developed, and how those music videos influenced music AND music videos for decades.

You have forgotten their best film: The Rutles. All you need is cash (1978)

Yellow Submarine is in my top 3 movies of all time. I love it so much

I once had lunch with Walter Shenson at a convention in Virginia Beach, where he told a few wonderful stories about working with them during the making of AHDN. I should have wrote them down. Ugh. 😔

you look like the sixties

Elliot... you're just amazing at what you do.

I first watched Yellow Submarine when I was in my early teens (not really all that long ago tbh but definitely a different stage of my life) and I think it was something about the whole peace and love message and how simple yet beautiful it really is that it moved me to tears. I was in the middle of my first big “Beatles phase” and during the All You Need Is Love scene I was full-on crying. Love that movie. Great video as always Elliot. Your channel has to be my favorite on all of RU-vid at the moment

I went to see the "Let It Be" film when it first opened... and was mesmerized by everything in it. We were getting to see The Beatles in the process of creating their songs! This was the greatest thing ever. When VCRs became available for the general public to buy... the first film I bought to play on my VCR - was "Let It Be". I absolutely loved the film and still think it was the best Beatles film of the 5 you discuss in this video. Yes... it is even better than "A Hard Day's Night". I wish someone had the foresight to film The Beatles during each of their recording sessions. That could have been what they did after the first two films had been made - and the group decided they would not be doing any more of those. Just imagine if they had simply filmed them making their records - and edited that into a 90 minute film for each album period. Those films would be so great.

I recently became obsessed with the Beatles and I’ve been learning a lot from your videos. And I love your take on their music and talents. I Just subscribed.

Yellow Submarine is my favorite film of all time, and I could fill an entire book with what I could say about it. It's place in animation is especially incredible in itself, and especially since it was seemingly an afterthought for the group it was based on. There's so much to be said about how the work tinkers with the medium of animation, and ots influence can be seen throughout the '70s and into some works to this day. More importantly I think was that this experimentation was put together under a film that could still be enjoyed whether you were a hippie, a kid, or someone just wanting a fun time, which is often a hard line for any film to draw.

You would not how quick this video got my attention, thanks Elliot!

The Hey bulldog sequence in the movie gave me chills

I love Help; it was one of the first things I saw of the Beatles when I was really little.

I love your assessment of the Beatles movies. Of course I've seen them all, but I clearly remember seeing A Hard Day's Night in 1964 at 6 years old with my mother and even younger sister. I thought it was fantastic and laughed my little ass off, but wondered why the girls in the theater kept screaming at the screen anytime there was a close up on any of The Beatles. My mom liked the movie too.

Great timing, I recently did an at home double feature of Nowhere Boy and Backbeat and had the idea of the Beatles on film on the mind. What works so well about those two in particular is that Backbeat begins where Nowhere Boy ends so you essentially get one continuous story about the band’s beginnings. Great video!

Awesome video! Really hits home of how much the Beatles have impacted pop culture even beyond their incredible music. Their influence still affects all of us in ways we can easily miss

A great video as always! I'm so happy you included Airplane, which to me is in it's sense of humour directly connceted to Help. I saw Help! just a few weeks ago for the first time, having seen Airplane at least a dozen times before, and I instantly conncected these two masterpieces when it comes to humour🤗

I really hope you know how good it feels for us Beatles fans to watch all your great videos about the Beatles, Elliot!

I am so glad you released a new video, you hands down have the best content on the Beatles!

I was able to catch the 50th anniversary of Yellow Submarine in theaters, and it was spectacular to see it on the big screen!

Love, love, love this video. So many RU-vid things like this are pretty shallow and under-researched. This is thoughtful, insightful, and really enjoyable. Your comment about the "When I'm Sixty-Four" typefaces as a proto-Sesame Street are spot on. Thank you!

Elliot you are almost to 100k! Love seeing your channel grow - you help to keep the respect and lore of the Beatles going with Gen X fans like me, Millenials, and the “kids” and into the 21st century…bravo!!

Love hearing your give "It's All Too Much" some much deserved respect here. Always felt a strong fondness for it, and am always been bothered by its general dismissal. It needs a "Hey Bulldog" level re-appraisal. Almost makes me forgive you for enjoying ACROSS THE UNIVERSE so much. Nobody's perfect! ;)

I've seen these films loads of times but you're editing and comedy make it still fun to watch. Thanks!

The joy i got when i saw this vid drop. This is my comfort channel

Fantastic video!! I always love watching your in-depth videos on The Beatles because you have a way of making them joyful, interesting, and also wrapped up in a very clear way. Also, it's great seeing you enjoy The Beatles in the same excited way I always have, compared to how sometimes people can take a negative/critical view of The Beatles on RU-vid (which isn't necessarily bad but negativity gets tiring sometimes).

Magical Mystery Tour is so good, speaking as someone who just watched it when this video came out. I love that paul, john and george all get a feature song to kind of showcase their own "style", and then Ringo's brief stint singing just comes as he's warbling a tune on the bus and being told to shut up. It showcases all their individual creative energies so well. And even though George barely features, that can be said for the other films too. It's cool enough that we have his song, which feels authentic to him in a way he never really got when it came to visual media during the Beatles years. Also, putting a striptease on the BBC during christmas is fucking metal.

Elliot - The wrap up at the end of your video was really well done. Bravo. (55:04) Paul McCartney was Jim... 40 years before John Krasinski.

This video you've made is .. immense.. nice one.