Dueling DVDs
By Jack Logan
There
are two DVDs relating to the 40th anniversary of the Beatles’
breakthrough in America. And many fans may be wondering which of the
two they should buy?
The two DVDs on offer are: The reissue of the 1991 documentary “The
Beatles’ First U.S. Visit” (which was originally released on DVD in
1998)
And the double-disc
DVD that presents the four “Ed Sullivan” shows
featuring all 20 live performances given by the Beatles.
As a music journalist I have the privilege of receiving advance review
copies of new releases. Having now seen both DVDs - I thought it might
be instructive to compare the two DVDs and let you know what each of
them has to offer.
The simple answer to the question I posed is that there are
considerable merits to BOTH DVDs. They do not compete with each
other. They complement each other. So if you have the money – buy
both! If funds are short – perhaps this analysis will help you decide
which DVD is more to your taste.
THE
BEATLES FIRST US VISIT
“The Beatles’ First U.S. Visit” is the 80-minute documentary that was
created and released on VHS in 1991 using footage originally shot in
February 1964 by Albert & David Maysles. (It was released on DVD in
1998.) It documents the two-week visit of the Beatles to America. The
extensive verite footage of them in New York, Washington and Miami is
intercut with three songs from the Beatles’ first U.S. concert in
Washington and by some of the songs they performed on their three Ed
Sullivan Show appearances in February 1964..
It is of course primarily a documentary with music – not a music
performance DVD. There is no new footage in the 80-minute film – but
the audio and picture of the 1991 production has been nicely
refurbished. The bonus with this DVD is a 50-minute documentary “The
Making Of ’The First U.S. Visit” that tells how the original footage
was shot and includes a lot of documentary footage outtakes. Of course
it’s always fun to see some outtakes – but alas there is no extra music
in the 50 minutes. No extras from the Washington concert. And none of
the several songs from the three Ed Sullivan Shows that are missing
from the 80-minute film.
Overall it is a great keepsake to own. In some ways it’s a little bit
like the “Anthology” CDs and DVDs. We feel we have to have it on the
shelves. We may not play it many times after the first time we’ve seen
it – but as diehard fans we just have to have it in our complete
collection.
THE
ED SULLIVAN SHOWS FEATURING THE BEATLES
This DVD makes available for the first time ever - all four historic
episodes of the Ed Sullivan Show on which the Beatles performed. The
original shows have not been seen unedited in 40 years. The first
broadcast was seen by an amazing 73 million people – which was
apparently 40% of the US population at that time. That alone makes that
particular show a slice of history. It is the only DVD on which fans
can see all fourteen live performances that the Beatles gave on their
three Ed Sullivan Show appearances in February 1964. In addition -
because these are the unedited original programs – we get to see the
original context of the Beatles’ performances – including all their
interactions with Ed Sullivan, his introductions, performances by other
artists and even the original commercials.
The contrast between the other performers - with their old 50’s-style
smiley showbiz personas - and the Beatles’ natural exuberance and very
contemporary feel - underscores the reasons why their performances made
such an enormous impact in 1964 and why these three historic TV
appearances propelled the Beatles so rapidly into the stratosphere.
Apart from the original three Ed Sullivan shows from 1964 - the bonus
with this DVD is the Beatles’ fourth and final appearance on Ed
Sullivan (unseen since it was first aired) featuring 6 songs performed
live (4 of them #1 hits) - just one day before their Shea Stadium
concert in August 1965. (It only ever aired once – on September 12,
1965.)
The appearance is especially historic as it was actually the Beatles’
last-ever live performance in a TV studio anywhere in the world.
Subsequent TV studio appearances were lip-synched or shot for
promotional films. The 1967 “All You Need Is Love” performance was part
of the first-ever worldwide TV satellite hook-up presenting lots of
performers in their natural work habitat (in the Beatles’ case their
recording studios) by live remote cameras – and not in the usual TV
studios.
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