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HELP!
The Beatles
DTS DVD
Widescreen
EMI/Apple
In the 30 minute "making of" doc that
the comes as a special feature in this
new two DVD set, director Richard
Lester said that when he set about to
conceptualize the Beatles second
film, he could not do it as a look at
their private lives because by that
time, Lester said, they were "x-rated."
So, as John Lennon would comment
at the time, they made "almost a real
film," which was sort of a cross
between the Goon show, and a 007
spoof, with a dash of fantasy for
good measure.
Although the film remains an artifact
of mid 60s silliness, the job done by
audio and film restoration crews on
this DVD is excellent.
First, the DTS 5.1 surround sound
mix is the hands down the best thing
about this reissue.
5.1 mixes for Anthology were good,
but since then it is obvious that
Abbey Road Studios have got even
better at multi-channel, as the 7
versions of songs presented here
certainly sound better than ever
(legitimately) released before.
Lead vocals-especially Lennon's on
Help!-are well out in front without
messing with the ambient we have
grown up with on the records, the
bass is deep and tight, percussion is
sharp and spread out over multiple
channels, guitars sound steely, and
the whole mix comes together in an
expansive sound stage.
Or in other words, the results will
certainly not offend your ears, AND, if
you choose you can- via the menu-
isolate the songs only.
The Widescreen picture has been
painstakingly restored and colour
corrected, but due to the reflected
light techniques utilized during
shooting, the film still tends to look
rather washed out and flat at times,
although much better looking than
any edition heretofore, including the
original theatrical release.
For a Beatles fan, this package will
prove irresistible, especially since
many stores are discounting the set
to under $20.
But for a project that has been in the
works for over 3 years, the running
pre-release hype of a "missing
scene," turns out to be just some still
photos, reminisces by Lester, and
actress Wendy Richards-who still
appears heartbroken that her scene
with the Fabs was cut-and besides
the making of doc, not much else of
any major nature are included as
extras.
However, there is a nice 16 page
booklet, with an essay by director
Martin Scorsese, as well as copious
colour and black and white photos,
some of which have rarely been seen.
Yet for a completely stupid
movie-and not enough DVD bonus
material-it sure is lots of fun.
The Beatles
DTS DVD
Widescreen
EMI/Apple
In the 30 minute "making of" doc that
the comes as a special feature in this
new two DVD set, director Richard
Lester said that when he set about to
conceptualize the Beatles second
film, he could not do it as a look at
their private lives because by that
time, Lester said, they were "x-rated."
So, as John Lennon would comment
at the time, they made "almost a real
film," which was sort of a cross
between the Goon show, and a 007
spoof, with a dash of fantasy for
good measure.
Although the film remains an artifact
of mid 60s silliness, the job done by
audio and film restoration crews on
this DVD is excellent.
First, the DTS 5.1 surround sound
mix is the hands down the best thing
about this reissue.
5.1 mixes for Anthology were good,
but since then it is obvious that
Abbey Road Studios have got even
better at multi-channel, as the 7
versions of songs presented here
certainly sound better than ever
(legitimately) released before.
Lead vocals-especially Lennon's on
Help!-are well out in front without
messing with the ambient we have
grown up with on the records, the
bass is deep and tight, percussion is
sharp and spread out over multiple
channels, guitars sound steely, and
the whole mix comes together in an
expansive sound stage.
Or in other words, the results will
certainly not offend your ears, AND, if
you choose you can- via the menu-
isolate the songs only.
The Widescreen picture has been
painstakingly restored and colour
corrected, but due to the reflected
light techniques utilized during
shooting, the film still tends to look
rather washed out and flat at times,
although much better looking than
any edition heretofore, including the
original theatrical release.
For a Beatles fan, this package will
prove irresistible, especially since
many stores are discounting the set
to under $20.
But for a project that has been in the
works for over 3 years, the running
pre-release hype of a "missing
scene," turns out to be just some still
photos, reminisces by Lester, and
actress Wendy Richards-who still
appears heartbroken that her scene
with the Fabs was cut-and besides
the making of doc, not much else of
any major nature are included as
extras.
However, there is a nice 16 page
booklet, with an essay by director
Martin Scorsese, as well as copious
colour and black and white photos,
some of which have rarely been seen.
Yet for a completely stupid
movie-and not enough DVD bonus
material-it sure is lots of fun.
