The Beatles are back as Ron Howard's Eight Days a Week' hits theaters
"Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years," a new documentary by director Ron Howard, invites audiences into the world of The Beatles. It goes back to the days when the Fab Four toured nearly nonstop.
Four musicians that changed the world
You could fill libraries with all the books that have been published about The Beatles. Numerous films about the Fab Four have likewise been released. Yet director Ron Howard has created a work of art with his new documentary "Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years," which sheds new light on the band.
It began in the basement
With the subtitle, "The Touring Years," the documentary explicitly focuses on the four years during which the four musicians were on the road virtually nonstop. Kicking off in 1962, the band played their last large show for screaming fans in 1966. Their debut was two performances in small basements, as seen in the movie.
Toss the leather jacket and slip into a suit
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr originally appeared in the standard in rock'n'roll leather that young people were wearing at the time. It was only after manager Brian Epstein arrived on the scene that the group began to change. Bowl cuts and dark suits became their trademark. The film "Eight Days A Year - The Touring Years" documents this stylistic evolution.
An intelligent charm offensive
The four band members were quite funny and charming - at least at the beginning of their career, as the film captures well. They also knew how to handle the cameras and spotlight. From early on, they learned the to deal with publicity and respond to the media ironically, spontaneously and intelligently.
A life on stage
Between 1962 and 1966, The Beatles appeared live on stage more than 800 times, both in their native England and in numerous other countries. They were, one might say, on stage eight days a week.
A look backstage
"Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years" isn't limited to just documenting The Beatles' performances. It includes rarely and never before seen footage of the band members' lives during the quiet periods off stage.
The magic of The Beatles
The band's charisma comes across nicely in the movie, which will be appreciated by those who are fans of the band or are interested in the development of pop music. "Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years" is certainly one of the best music documentaries of late.