Blu-ray Review: Director Ron Howard Gives New Insight Into The Beatles "Touring Years"

Director Ron Howard was given the keys to the kingdom when he began his work on The Beatles documentary "Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years." The award-wining director takes you into the lives of these for lads from Liverpool as they became the biggest band in the world between 1963 to 1966. On November 18th, his 90-minute film was released on home video on DVD, Blu-ray and Special Collector's Edition 2-disc set.

The film takes you on a journey from the halls of the Cavern Club to Candlestick Park. It contains some of the cleanest, clearest video of The Beatles performing live that has ever been released on home video. As much as the documentary follows The Beatles around the world, it also brings you into the studio as they create seven #1 albums in four years. Interviews with fellow musicians and famous actors give you an outside look at the success of The Beatles, while archival footage of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr help tell the story of the craziness of their times on tour. Many of the classic footage that fans have seen in other documentaries has been remastered and even colorized to give the story a different look and perspective for long-time fans. From what Martin Scorsese did for Bob Dylan with "No Direction Home," Ron Howard has done for The Beatles with "Eight Days A Week," giving their fans a different looking into their rise to super-stardom.

The best part of the documentary is the closing scene which shows The Beatles in their final live performance on the roof of Apple Corp. The clarity of that scene gives hope to what the future may hold for The Beatles' "Let It Be" documentary. Fans of the film will want to splurge for the 2-disc special collector's edition, which contains over 100 minutes of bonus footage. The extras include interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on the growth of their signature sound in the studio. Also included are five full-length performances of the songs "Twist And Shout," "She Loves You," "Can't Buy Me Love," "You Can't Do That" and "Help!." You also get perspectives from fans on their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and their recollection of The Beatles appearance at Shea Stadium. 

 

Also included in this set is a 64-page, full color booklet with a special introduction from director Ron Howard and rare photos from The Beatles' private archive. A must see for Beatles' fans. To find out more about this new documentary, please visit thebeatleseightdaysaweek.com.