John Lennon once told a story of his reaction to the Sgt. Pepper's movie. He was on a plane that was so excited to fly him somewhere that they announced his presence to the other passengers and included the film as the in-flight entertainment. He had to sign autographs and make small talk while this terrible thing played for everyone. Then a storm kicked up around the flight’s destination. As an apology for the resulting delay, the flight crew decided to play the film again. What torture.
I can already imagine John’s reaction to it being played AGAIN *in his seat after signing all these autographs and taking pictures and suffering through the movie the first time, hearing them announce that they’ll be playing the movie a second time* “Jesus Fucking Christ.......”
That just made me hang my head low, as his planned cameo for Guardians Of The Galaxy and him playing Niander Wallace in Blade Runner 2049 instead of Jared “Hunka Hunka Hunka” Leto.
Also, I'm glad someone else loves Across the Universe. I remember when I first saw it on the big screen. At the end I had tears in my eyes and exclaimed, "My god, I understand the meaning of life now!"
Man I love Across the universe. Definitely my favorite Beatles related movie ever. I did enjoy Yesterday but after seeing Across the universe Yesterday dropped a bit on my list.
I am a huge Beatles fan. Obsessively so. Listen to them a little while every day, something I have done since fifth grade when the girl who would be my first girlfriend and give me my first kiss...among other firsts...introduced me to them. We used cassettes then. Until my dad gave me his original records, and then I used those. They are as necessary to my life as water and air. I need them. I say all this to demonstrate how much they mean to me. Because I gotta say one thing. I love the Sgt. Pepper movie. Absolutely love it. It's a bubblegum fairytale. A sparkling camp extravaganza tribute to the greatest band ever. But it's not for everybody, I guess. And nostalgia is a huge factor in my adoration. I love Across the Universe too, though. It's a very different kind of movie that was trying to do something entirely different. But I love it as much as the other. Watched it clean the first time, but the second night I went back with a couple of friends. We were all on acid and it was spectacular. But ultimately it comes down to Sgt Pepper being a story told with Beatles songs and Across the Universe being a story told _through_ Beatles songs. If that makes sense. Oh, and they sing "I've Just Seen a Face" at the bowling alley. 😋
"two of us" is an excellent film. i would've love to be a fly on the wall on the night paul visited john as they watched SNL and see how far they went before they said "nah". still, i love the fact that they almost did that and they became friends again. not the beatles. if john and george were alive right now. they'd probably all be involved with their respective solo records and then everyone would be asking "why you guys haven't reunited?" john says "because we don't need to. we love doing our solo work. in fact, i just texted paul about his new album which i thought was incredible and we all just did backing vocals for ringo's new record"
Every sixties band should have called it quits before 1970 or 1980 to force rock and roll fans to accept a new generation f rockers, but they soldiered n to long, rock got complacent and rap and dance pop took over. Now we need satellite radio to listen to new rock bands, none of which will last long because they can't sell nearly as many records as Beyoncé.
What a knock out video. I do not always agree with Eliot but this video I completely agree with and more than that I think this is the best video of the past decade which is saying alot. I will remember this one out of all the other thousands. As a lifelong (60 years) Beatles fan and musician who played music with Lennon friends (ld Gt for David Peel 1980) and lived on his street (W 72nd Manhatten. Opposite side of the street) I feel I must congratulate you! I still wear Lennon glasses btw and my son is called Sean. So when I say it mean't alot to me I mean that seriously and that your insight and appreciation is spot on, Brilliant!
The guy kicking the trash can is actually a reference to one of the beatles films where you see Ringo walking and kicks a trash can which wasn't in the script he actually spent the night before filming drinking and had a major hangover, this scene led to Ringo becoming an actor
Across the Universe is honestly one of my favorite films of all time, and what got me into films in general. The visuals of the movie, combined with the incredible rendition of beloved Beatles songs will stick with me forever. I remember going onto iTunes and purchasing the soundtrack as soon as I finished the film the first time. It will forever be one of the best movie musicals of all time, and I wish it got more attention, because it so deserves it.
I legitimately love watching Sgt Pepper's. It made me laugh, but then I grew to like many of the versions of the songs there. Not that I think they're better than the originals but I do genuinely like the movie. I think it's hilarious. lol I watch Across the Universe at least once a month, it's a favorite of mine. I think the reason they had to mime the joint scene was to keep the rating PG-13.
Most four year olds watch the little mermaid or something every day. When I was four I watched Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 2-4 times a day. That movie has a special place in my heart. I think it’s definitely worth a watch for the fun of it!! Also great video I love your channel :)
Hey Elliot, I just discovered your channel and it pleases me very much. This a really good video you put together here, but I was slightly disappointed to see the omission of 1978's "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (yes, W-A-N-N-A). It was Robert Zemeckis' first film as director. It's so much fun you'd love it. The story is set during one single day, that being the day of the Beatles first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show . It's about a group of teenagers who have plans to sneak into the Beatles hotel... and the theater as well, each with his or her own reasons. It's filled with Beatles song from the era. It really is so exciting and so funny, It gives a great vibe of the times back then. It's so sweet, so fun, and dare I say, electric? (If you see the movie you'll get that last reference.) Steven Spielberg had a lot of faith in the film, telling the studio that he would finish the movie if they didn't like Zemickis' version. It didn't sell many tickets. Maybe audiences in '78 didn't know what was good for them. Highly recommended. And thanks again for the channel.
I waited for this since the last Beatles biopic video you made just because I wanted your thoughts on Across the Universe. The first time I saw it, I watched it three nights in a row and proceeded to force my friends and family into watching with me. Really sparked a love and new appreciation for the Beatles' music. Excellent video and I'm amazed by how you made a 44 min video essay so entertaining and funny! Looking forward to the Yesterday video :)
If you're able to find it, I'd recommend "Scrambled Eggs" from the show Urban Myths (Sky Arts). It's a reimagined story about Paul McCartney hearing the tune of Yesterday in a dream and trying to figure out what to do with it.
When I was younger my parents were pretty strict so I didn’t know who the Beatles were really. One random day Across the Universe was playing on TV and my life changed forever and I do admit that is when I discovered the music of the Beatles. I think it’s pretty cool that a movie could have that effect on someone so even if for die hard fans these tribute movies aren’t the best, they still honor the musicians and make their music more well known and respected.
I’ve always thought that no matter how many books about the Beatles you’ve read or how many movies and documentaries you’ve seen - you have no idea of the impact they made and how famous they were unless you were there to experience it, as a 13 year old me did in 1964 and beyond. But, damn, this guy, born in 1990, nails it. It’s all in perspective. It’s he actually 70? Kudos.
My brother showed me Sgt. Pepper when I was a very young child and it deeply impacted my psyche, as well as my view of beatles songs for years after that. I resent him for it to this day.
I LOVE Across the Universe, it's my favourite film! One of my favourite things about it is that, as you mentioned, the songs really become the language of the film and everything seems to flow naturally, even when weird puppets and costumes are involved. Thanks for speaking about it, not enough people do! Also, this is my first video of yours and I really like your personality and attitude!
Across the Universe came out when i was like 15 and had just started discovering the Beatles and to this day it still holds such a big place in my heart. i dont care what anyone says, i love it.
I'm a bit late to the party, but "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is an terrific and underrated movie. It has a lot of Back to the Future energy to it (the same team made it)
Also was one of the few people who went to see Across the Universe in the theater. I was a late bloomer when it came to my own personal Beatlemania, and this movie and Beatles Rock Band came out at the perfect time. The cover of Strawberry Fields is the highlight of the film for me. Love how much it leans into the melancholy of the original so hard to become tragedy.
And then there was the absolute FIRST Beatles jukebox film, ALL THIS AND WORLD WAR II, which I saw in a theater during its initial (and only) release in 1976. Fox yanked it after two weeks. Initially planned as a documentary of WWII using Beatles songs, they soon discovered how expensive a prospect that would be, and opted for the brilliant idea of having OTHER stars record the Beatles songs and inadvertently created the "Tribute Album" industry. As for the film, the critics hated it, but it was a brilliant matching of Beatles songs to WWII events.
I tried to watch _Across the Universe_ not long after its release and it made my skin crawl. Terrible costumes/hair, and I just largely cannot get into musicals no matter my interest in the theme (see also: the Belle & Sebastian musical _God Help the Girl_). I do appreciate your recap of it, though, as it explained the storyline and solidified my resolve to never watch it. 😉 I used to dislike Beatles covers of any kind, but I've come around to liking a few, namely Roy Redman’s version of Good Day Sunshine that appeared on The Touchables soundtrack, and Elliott Smith's version of Because. It was on a film soundtrack as well, but I just like Elliott Smith. p.s. The ‘old man’ narrator in th e Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts film is comedy legend George Burns.
I never thought that I would have posted a cover of a Rutles song before a Beatles cover on my channel, and I still haven't seen all All you need is cash
Excellent choice of good and bad influence Beatles movies. If you do another video, there's a movie from the late 70's (available on DVD and Blu-ray) from Steven Spielberg called "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".
Elliot you deserve a medal for watching the monstrosity of the St. Pepper’s film. Why did The Bee Gees, who were at the peak of their powers, agree to be in it I will never understand.
FVB were going to "destroy young minds . . . pollute the environment . . . subvert the democratic process (Steven Tyler is a Republican?) and turn Strawberry into a mindless groupie." The guy on the We Bare All channel agrees with Elliott that she already was. 😄
@Isaac Baranoff What gives you that idea? Paul has gone on record to say that Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys was his inspiration to make the Sgt Peppers album, not Freak Out.
@@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747 In an interview Paul said that Sgt pepper's was influenced by Freak out, you can see on Wikipedia (I know it's not the greatest source but still)
I for One am positive that they wouldv gotten back together. I mean after the beatlemania explosion they were only together for couple of years. At some point the temptation wouldv gotten too big for them.
I bought the soundtrack when it came out years ago. About 2 years ago my wife rented it and I washed for the first time, my biggest regret is that I'll never be able to get that time back. Soundtrack is fantastic, movie sucks. Don't take my word for it though form your own opinion, my advice close your eyes and just listen to the music.
Right??? I had to stop the video and send a message to my girlfriend saying that this must be the most amazing piece of media ever made (and she knows pretty well how much of a Beatles, Bee Gees and Billy Preston fan I am)... Just to follow it with the George quote cuz obviously hahaha
So Peter Frampton has spoken about Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band in the past and there's a section in his book where he explains that when the movie was coming together literally everyone was told that Paul McCartney was going to personally be involved and when you take that along with George martin and all of the other big names it made it sound like an appealing offer. Then they sign the contract and once its far too late to do anything they see that there's no Paul and the story is an abomination. So if you're wondering how so many incredible people got involved in such a monstrosity, that's what happened. Also they were all too embarrassed to go to the premier and i think Peter said that only the Bee Gees showed up and were desperately trying to get everyone else to come too. So the performers in it were just as disappointed as us and were basically swindled just like we were.
I think Stigwood told Frampton that Paul McCartney would be in the movie because he (Stigwood) actually made an effort to get Paul to appear in it, but Paul said no way.
interestingly Stigwood was a minor villain in the Beatles story: part of Brian's anxiety towards the end of his life was due to Stigwood trying to steal the band away.
In the Bee gees documentary from a few years ago. Sgt pepper never happened. Kind of the opposite of what a documentary is supposed to do which is to tell the truth.
Across The Universe is what got me into The Beatles, and I'm glad it's getting more recognition. Also, a fun thing to do at parties is to slip a few Rutles songs into a Beatles playlist and see how people react.
I did that with my cousin. I played some Beatles, as we're both huge fans, and slipped in The Rutles' Piggie in the Middle. He was like 'wth is that'? He wasn't familiar with this "Beatles tune", but recognized John's vocal and a song that reminded him of I am the Walrus, 'sort of'.. lmao.
“I Want You” became my favorite Beatles song solely because of that scene in Across the Universe. Beautiful segment. Shit that movie got me into Beatles music, cause for the longest time I thought it was all “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” type music as most non-Beatles listeners think it is.
ah me too! my friend refuses to listen to them because he thinks all the beatles music sounds the same when all hes ever listened to is hello goodbye and yellow submarine
Me too, i thought all they did was “She Loves You” type music, but when I heard “A Day In The Life” that got me into The Beatles, I have bought all of their albums, except Abbey Road, sad...
But if you were there in 1964, you'd know just how new and refreshing was the sound of the Beatles (as well as the whole damn "British invasion) even if they were still "silly love songs."
My one nitpick with The Rutles is how so many of the songs don't seem so much like parodies of Beatles songs as much as songs that could have been on the radio at the time performed by a band trying really hard to ape The Beatles style
It doesn't matter that a lot of The Two of Us is not based on solid fact, the characters give us what we would expect in this stage of their lives. Both John and Paul's parts are lovingly and superbly acted out. I think that the fact the Lindsey Hogg directed it gives this docudrama an insiders insight to the characters. If you haven't see it please do.
@@guyonthenet2000 Oh...I get it now. Mmm I don't remember where I got it from, it was a few years ago. I'm sorry that I can't help maybe there is a video rarities site you could get it from? But one thing I do know is your search will be worth it. ( you do know there are short clips of it on RU-vid ? )
Even the short clips shown here put me in the accent uncanny valley, the Paul one keeps dropping into strange N. American intonation and it's really annoying, like when autotune screws up.
You need to watch "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (1978). It's Robert Zemeckis's first film before he made "Back to the Future" and "Forrest Gump" and tells the story of a gang of teenagers trying to get into the Ed Sullivan give to see the Beatles for the first time. A beautiful tribute to us fans.
In the hours after I saw Yesterday, I realized it was a super conventional romcom that coasted on Beatles music. And when you think about it, the setup kinda devalues The Beatles’ music by suggesting that the history of music would have proceeded almost entirely unaltered had they not come along.
I've wondered what the first "British Invasion" would've been like had one of the other bands led the way. Dave Clark 5 was very popular in '64. The Rolling Stones as leader of the pack might've been interesting in a nihilistic way.
Yes Because Roy Orbison, The Kinks, The Zombies, and The Who and other Bands active alongside Beatlemania would have Naturally had Stable Fame and One wouldn't have gotten Bigger than the Other in this Alt-History.
It's a cute rom-com, nothing deep or anything, but I like the conceit that the music is so great that people will love it even if they've never heard it before, totally outside of its cultural context. That makes no sense of course, but it's a fantasy about an alternate universe. Obviously if you analyze the details too much, it couldn't work. I mean, in the same altered universe, cigarettes don't exist either. Makes no sense, but it's just in service of the joke. But as a fan I enjoyed it - there was an audible gasp in the theater when John opened the door.
Here's some facts about the Sgt. Pepper's movie: - The irony of the soundtrack for Sgt. Pepper is that two of the best tracks in the album were the ones without George's involvement. - It was said that the Bee Gees tried to get out of their contract for the movie. Judging from the movie, they tried. - Frankie Howerd, the guy who played Mr. Mustard, was supposed to appear with The Beatles in Help! His scene was edited out for time reasons
Martin did work on 'Come Together" - he co-produced it with Aerosmith (and future John and Yoko) producer Jack Douglas. Joe Perry said that working with George Martin was the reason Aerosmith accepted a role in the movie that had already been turned down by Mick Jagger, then Kiss.
Sorry but every time you show a clip of that Alice Cooper version of 'Because' from the Sgt Pepper's one it makes it me laugh out loud. It's kind of incredible. I think I love it...
I remember finding Two Of Us at the height of my teenage Beatles obsession in the early 2000’s. It’s such a special film for me for many of the reasons you said here, and because it’s so personally nostalgic.
The Rutles is genius. For me it demonstrates British humour perfectly. In the sense that you can love something to your core, and still take the mickey out of it.
When I was first getting really into the Beatles my mom would gush about the Sgt Peppers movie cause she watched it when it came out and would talk about how good it was. We finally sat down and watched it and she was APPALLED at how terrible it actually was. She had no idea why she remembered it in such a good light !! It’s become a movie we love to watch together because of how bad it is
I’ll be honest I really do not like Across The Universe. Most of the covers really don’t do anything for me and the characters I don’t think are very interesting personally. I will say it clearly got a a lot of people into The Beatles so credit where it’s due.
@@puffnisse Not at all we can make it non Broadway for sure. Probably would be better. Said it like that because I would be really interested in a showstopper stage design but it can be anything...I just want to see this as a play.
this is a FANTASTIC channel omg. all your videos are so well made and thorough without dragging, presented very clearly, with interesting topics and great hair! Ps, will there be a "i watched every episode of 'Understanding Lennon McCartney' so you don't have to" ? ;)
Idk if y’all heard but Julie Taymor wants to do a sequel to Across the Universe. Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood said they wouldn’t mind reprising the roles of Jude and Lucy.
Don't know what's so mediocre about it, especially considering it's Julie Taymor. Even if her stuff is bad, it's never unimpressive or uninteresting, or lacking in remarkable creativity, if you ask me.
That would be interesting but...how? I guess you could do solo Beatles songs from the 70's but (I haven't listened to every single song/album tbc) I don't think their solo stuff had nearly the same impact as it did in the 60's.
That sounds amazing, but I'm a bit skeptical since the first movie is so damn good I feel it's a bit precarious to aim for a sequel but then again,nothing ventured nothing gained
So glad you covered Two Of Us. One of my favorite Beatles related films. I even own the DVD. Ya can't help but love being a fly on the wall as Paul visits John w/out warning circa 1976. You can totally see them fighting, then making up and having an adventure. The rooftop scene is the capper to the whole thing. A reminder more than anything re how long these guys went back, how well they must know each other, and how much they did love each other despite it all.
Return of the King Weird side note the Beatles wanted to make a Lord of the Rings movie, with Paul McCartney as Frodo, John Lennon as Gollum, George Harrison as Gandalf and Ringo Starr as San.
You need to do documentaries (Let it be), parody films the actual Beatles films (Hard Days Night, Help!, Yellow Submarine) and if you can tolerate it the hanna Barbara cartoon
@@alucardprinceofgayvampires8526 I watched a couple episodes on RU-vid back in 2010-2012 when I was discovering the Beatles and thought that show was harmless fun, pretty good for a 60's Hannah Barbara saturday morning cartoon made for kids. I couldn't see someone not liking specially if that person is Beatles fan. I mean, each episode was Beatles song with a tiny plot written around that song's theme.
Scrolled a hella lot to find a comment about that yessss im 21 and my dad played that version s lot so i tough where theirs and i feel awkward about it but i jam both
Sgt Pepper's is both a guilty pleasure of mine and a reminder that getting a bunch of great artists together doesn't always produce great work. That review you showed does make a good point, though. The Bee Gees were originally a harmony-heavy psychedelic rock band. They should have been perfect for a Sgt Pepper's musicial, but unfortunately they got too good at disco so it's a disco movie. Also I love The Rutles and Across the Universe. I love how, because of George's involvement, certain scenes specifically parody Beatles footage that wasn't actually released until Anthology. For almost 20 years fans didn't realize how specific the jokes were.
Across the Universe has a very special place in my heart, and I'm glad to see that there are other people who appreciate it for how brilliant and unique it is!
EWF's version of "Got To Get You Into My Life", Aerosmith's "Come Together", and Billy Preston's "Get Back" were literally the only three good things that came out of Sgt. Pepper!!
Is it just me, or when Steven Tyler sings "Here come old flat top, he come groovin' up slowly," it sounds like "Yeah, come on flat jaw, he come oozing out soda?" 😃
Got to disagree on Earth, Wind & Fire's rendition of Got to Get You Into My Life. Dare I say it? I think it's one of the few Beatles covers that exceeds the original in quality.
Oh man, this is so funny because Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band is my mum's fav Beatles film, probably because she loves the Bee Gees. I watched it so young I didn't realize how bad it objectively was...... she probably did too... Personally, I'm obsessed with "Cheese and Onions" by the Rutles. Unironically an amazing song.
Why is Strawberry singing about a relationship with Mustard when he's kidnapped her? Stockholm syndrome? And Frankie Howerd was 61 when this movie premiered. He wasn't going to get older many years from then - he already WAS older!
Never heard of two of us before. Definitely gonna watch that soon. And watching those clips of The Rutles has made me wanna watch it right now. Thanks for the great videos 👏
