LibGuides: Meet the Beatles: Media

Featured Streaming Media

Try these videos to get started. Must access on campus or login with your COM account for off campus access.

Want more on finding media? Try Articles & Media.

The Beatles (03:09) Phil Collins, Joan Baez, Marvin Hamlisch and other Americans remember the Beatles. Archival footage shows interviews with the Fab Four, including John Lennon's famous "Bigger than Jesus" remark.
The Beatles: Composing Outside the Beatles—Lennon & McCartney 1967–1972 (138:00) As composers, John Lennon and Paul McCartney spanned numerous genres, and the work of both continues to impact music today. This independent documentary film reviews Lennon and McCartney as solo composers, during their initial post-Beatles periods. From the avant-garde, Yoko Ono-influenced brace of Lennon/Ono albums; through to some superb singles and albums from both players; and culminating in the first Wings album from McCartney, and Lennon celebrating his new city of residence on the most political record he ever made, this film shows how and why they composed the music they did during this era. Drawing on rare footage, archived and exclusive interviews, classic performances, and penetrating revelations from close friends, fellow musicians, Beatles academics, and musicologists, we discover the true story of how they composed their music, both when writing alone and with new partners.
Beatles: Composing Outside The Beatles—Lennon and McCartney, 1973–1980 (147:00) In the early 1970s both Lennon and McCartney carved out hugely successful solo careers—both critically and commercially. However, by the end of 1972 the pair had both hit the lowest points in their respective careers. 1973's output, however, put both of them back on the musical map and so began the final period during which John and Paul were recording and releasing music simultaneously. After the Beatles' break-up in 1970, McCartney continued his musical career with his first solo release, McCartney. Later that year, ex-Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine joined the McCartneys and Seiwell to form the band Wings. Lennon moved to New York in 1971 to further his anti-war activism, resulting in an attempted deportation by then-President Nixon. He also released the seminal album Imagine during this year. These events are only the beginning of what would become an indispensable era in these former collaborators’ lives.
The Beatles: Composing The Beatles Songbook—Lennon & McCartney 1966–1970 Full Video (01:56:48) This intimate documentary reviews the partnership, music, and impact of Lennon and McCartney as composers during the hugely creative period of 1966 to 1970. From the first bars of "Eleanor Rigby" to the closing Abbey Road song cycle, this film shows how the pair barely stumbled in making some of the most joyous music the world had ever known. With contributions from friends Barry Miles, Klaus Voorman, and Maureen Cleaves; musicians Alan Moore and Chris Ingham; journalists Robert Christgau, of the Village Voice, and Anthony De Curtis, of Rolling Stone; authors Johnny Rogan, Pete Doggett, Steve Turner, and Nigel Williamson; and broadcaster Paul Gambaccini.
The Beatles: Made On Merseyside (01:27:00) The Beatles defined music and popular culture like no other band. How did they make the journey from Merseyside teenagers to international pop icons in the 1960s? This documentary recounts the confluence of conditions that led to The Beatles, from the rise of Liverpool as a vibrant center of music to the band’s exploration of many different sounds before finding their own, to the energy and excitement that led to the explosion of Beatlemania. With unique archival materials and revealing interviews with “the fifth Beatle," Pete Best, Quarrymen Colin Hanton and Len Garry, Brian Epstein’s business associate Joe Flannery, and many more, we get an inside view of the rise of this iconic band.
Beatles Memories (03:40) Americans remember the Beatles. Mike Love of the Beach Boys recalls his contribution to the Beatles hit, "Back in the USSR." Archival footage of Beach Boys performing is included. Henry Winkler shares an anecdote about meeting Paul McCartney.

DVDs

More Media

In addition to streaming media, we have DVDs, images, audio and more media.

Imagine A biographical documentary using home movies, interviews, TV footage, songs and reminiscences of friends and family. Lennon's own voice provides the narration.