Barnes & Noble

On February 9, 1964, approximately 73 million people -- about 30 percent of the U.S. population -- tuned in to The Ed Sullivan Show to witness the sparks igniting Beatlemania. In this moment, the Fab Four forever changed the pop-culture landscape, setting a model for the marketing of a pop band on a grand scale. Albert and David Maysles captured the days surrounding this event on film, creating a work that became a blueprint for the rock documentaries to come (they went on to make the classic Rolling Stones film Gimme Shelter). Although four decades have elapsed, the film retains its raw energy: It's there in the shrieking girls, in the insectlike swarming of the press, and the simultaneous showmanship and goofy boyishness of the Beatles themselves. Released exactly 40 years after the fact, The Beatles First U.S. Visit DVD contains the entire 81-minute feature, including the entirety of the band's Ed Sullivan performances at this time (two in New York and one in Miami), from house cameras rather than the Maysles', as they were not allowed to shoot in the theater. In between are three songs from the Washington Coliseum concert, the group's first Stateside performance. The DVD also offers a new 50-minute piece called "The Making of the First U.S. Visit," featuring previously unreleased footage along with extensive commentary from Albert Maysles. And the camera's intimacy reveals the Fab Four as remarkably human: From moments such as the incredulous boys phoning home upon arrival in their Plaza Hotel suite to Ringo twisting and shouting with a handful of sweaty kids at the Peppermint Lounge, it's maniacally good fun. Lydia Vanderloo

All Movie Guide

In February of 1964, Beatlemania began to spread to American shores with the first U.S. visit of John, Paul, George and Ringo to play a short American tour and make two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Noted documentary filmmakers David and Albert Maysles had the presence of mind to realize there was a story here, and they followed The Beatles with their cameras throughout their first American adventure, capturing the magic of their music and the glorious madness that was Beatlemania. Mark Deming

Product Details

• UPC: 724359935997
• Source: CAPITOL
• Region Code: 0
• Presentation: B&W
• Sound: monaural
• Subtitles: English, Español, Français, Italiano, Portugais
• Time: 2:12:00
• Sales Rank: 43,036

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