The Beatles in film The Beatles in film The Beatles appeared in five motion pictures, most of which were very well received. The exception was the (mostly unscripted) television film "Magical Mystery Tour" which was panned by critics and the public alike. Each of their films had the same name as their associated soundtrack album and a song on that album. The Beatles had a successful film career, beginning with A Hard Day's Night (1964), a loosely scripted comic farce, sometimes compared to the Marx Brothers in style. A black-and-white film, it focused on Beatlemania and the band's hectic touring lifestyle and was directed
The Compleat Beatles George Martin, their first manager Allan Williams, Cavern Club DJ Bob Wooler, music writer Bill Harry, and musicians Gerry Marsden, Billy J. Kramer, Marianne Faithfull, Billy Preston, Lenny Kaye, and Tony Sheridan. The film also includes archival footage of interviews with members of the Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein. Authors Nicholas Schaffner and Wilfrid Mellers are among the commentators who offer their views on the band's career. "The Compleat Beatles" also features early concert footage, behind-the-scenes background on the making of their albums, and candid footage of their often obsessed, hysterical fans. Directed by Patrick Montgomery, the film was