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Category:    Home > Reviews > Documentary > Music > Rock > British > All My Loving (Beatles Documentary/Music Video Distributors)

All My Loving (Beatles Documentary/Music Video Distributors)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C     Documentary Film: B

 

 

A new wave of Beatles product is on the way, including a reissue of a restored edition of their hit 1965 film Help!, impressive new book Can’t Buy Me Love by Jonathan Gould and other side releases catching the wave, including other DVDs of new and classic material.  One of the must have DVDs is easily Tony Palmer’s documentary film All My Loving, which examines the relationship of The Beatles to the rise of Pop Music, Rock Music, Political Music and the counterculture.

 

Originally made for the BBC, the network did not even want to broadcast it, likely for political reasons, but they eventually did and it is one of the most significant music documentaries you have not likely seen.  Music Video Distributors is the one finally issuing the key work on DVD with some extras and a key work that is a must-see for anyone serious about music, history or one of the most important periods in human history.

 

The film begins with a look at the rise of the band, how their music compares with music of the past and the controversy about (now a non-argument as newer and especially post-modern music forms have surfaced) how much Rock Music was really music.  It features actual Beatles music, interview with McCartney, interview with Lennon and the band recording together.  Then, the montage starts to get political, show the extent of the counterculture and key music acts that quickly followed the band are shown.

 

They include The Moody Blues, Frank Zappa (who is interviewed in his glory), Donovan, Pink Floyd, Cream, Jimi Hendrix (also interviewed), The Who, Eric Burdon and many others who were key to this movement.  George Martin, Kit Lambert, Lulu, Anthony Burgess and many others.  The program only runs 52 minutes, but is loaded with so much that you’ll wish this was a mini-series.  As a DVD, it is a top collectible you will not want to be without.

 

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image has some haziness and digital video noise reduction (automatic DVNR) causes problems with the detail that are unnecessary, but the image has some consistent color, though this needs some restoration and an HD upgrade.  The cinematography includes early work by Phil Meheux, who has become one of the top Directors of Photography in feature films today, including his work on the 2006 Casino Royale.  This footage deserves top notch treatment.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is good for its age, though it would be nice if stereo versions of the few hits records used could be dropped into the soundtrack.  Extras include a stills selection of Ralph Stedman cartoons and new interview with director Palmer.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


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