A Hard Day's Night (Criterion Collection)

The Beatles, starring in their first full-length, hilarious, action-packed film!

A Hard Day's Night (Criterion Collection)

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Format: DVD

item number: 39KE8

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Also released as:

A Hard Day's Night (Criterion Collection, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray) for $44

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DVD Features:

Rated: Not Rated
Run Time: 1 hours, 27 minutes
Video: Black & White
Released: June 24, 2014
Originally Released: 1964
Label: Criterion Collection
Encoding: Region 1 (USA & Canada)
Note: New 4K digital restoration, approved by director Richard Lester, with three audio options: a monaural sountrack as well as newly created stereo and 5.1 surround mixes supervised by sound producer Giles Martin at Abbey Road Studios

Audio commentary featuring cast and crew
In Their Own Voices, a new piece combining 1964 interviews with the Beatles with behind-the-scenes footage and photos
"You Can't Do That": The Making of "A Hard Day's Night," a 1994 documentary by producer Walter Shenson including an outtake performance by the Beatles
PLUS: an essay by ciritc Howard Hampton

Special Edition
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen - 1.75
Audio:

Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Subtitles - English

Performers, Cast and Crew:

Starring		The Beatles
Performer:		John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Wilfred Brambell, Norman Rossington, Victor Spinetti, John Junkin, Anna Quayle, Kenneth Haigh, Richard Vernon & Eddie Malin
Directed by		Richard Lester
Edited by		John Jympson
Screenplay by		Alun Owen
Produced by		Walter Shenson
Director of Photography:		Gilbert Taylor

Memorable Quotes and Dialog:

"Are you a mod or a rocker'"--Reporter to Ringo
"Um, no. I'm a mocker."

- Ringo (Ringo Starr)

"What would you call that hairstyle you're wearing'"--Reporter to George
"Arthur."

- George (George Harrison) to Reporter

Entertainment Reviews:

Birmingham Mail

Oct 10, 2014

Total Film

May 1, 2001

Newsday

Jul 17, 2014

USA Today

Sep 27, 2002

Los Angeles Times

Dec 1, 2000

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 27, 1996

Orange County Register

Jul 7, 2014

Product Description:

A HARD DAY'S NIGHT presents a fictionalized day in the life of the Beatles as they give a performance on a live television show. Filmed just a month after their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, this film--the Beatles' first--introduces us to the unique personalities of each member of the band. The film opens with the Fab Four boarding a train mobbed with adoring young fans (mostly women) as they attempt to travel to the television studio in London. The antics of the band during rehearsals and makeup application provide a large part of the comic material in this feature, though there are other moments of pure hilarity. The unscripted vignette featuring a hangover-suffering Ringo is especially funny, particularly when he is arrested and risks having to miss the broadcast. None of this goes unnoticed by the director of the show, played by Victor Spinetti, who went on to become a recurring cast member in Beatles movies. As the clock ticks away dramatically, our heroes manage to free Ringo from jail and sneak onto the stage in the nick of time, delighted in the knowledge that they have nearly driven the director mad in the process. Arguably the first music video ever made, this faux documentary and its shooting style have been a tremendous influence on nearly every rock and roll feature since.

Keywords:

Production Notes:

Theatrical release: July 6, 1964.
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT was filmed and produced in only 7 weeks, at a budget of 180,000 pounds, or $500,000.
The opening scene, where the Beatles are mobbed by fans while getting onto a train, is actual documentary footage. A leak from the production department made the filming locations known to fans, so that when the Beatles showed up to film this first scene, there were hundreds of crazed, rowdy fans already there.
Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, gave the rights to the accompanying album to United Artists before the film was released. The album's advance sales more than covered the film's budget.
The Beatles were big fans of the comedy of Peter Sellers and Spike Mulligan. Director Richard Lester was chosen in large part because he helmed comedy series starring both men.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote six new songs for the film.
Richard Lester makes a cameo appearance during the live performance scene, and a very young Phil Collins briefly appears as an audience member during the television performance scene.