The Beatles - Composing The Beatles Songbook: Lennon And McCartney 1957 - 1965 is a fascinating documentary that delves into the creative partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney during the early years of The Beatles. Narrated by John Bellew, the film is a treasure trove of archival footage, interviews, and musical performances that give viewers a deep insight into the creative process of one of the greatest musical duos of all time. It covers the period from the formation of The Beatles in 1957 to the release of Rubber Soul in 1965, a time when Lennon and McCartney were at the peak of their powers as songwriters.
The documentary begins with brief biographical sketches of Lennon and McCartney and how they came together to form The Beatles. It then explores how their songwriting partnership developed over time, from their early influences and musical inspirations to the collaborative process they used to create some of the most iconic songs in the history of popular music.
Viewers will be treated to rare footage of The Beatles in their early days, including their first appearance on the television show "Thank Your Lucky Stars" in 1963. The film also includes interviews with members of The Beatles' inner circle, including producer George Martin and road manager Neil Aspinall, who provide valuable insights into the band's creative process.
One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is how it peels back the layers to reveal the individual contributions of Lennon and McCartney to each song they wrote together. For example, viewers will learn how "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was primarily the work of McCartney, while "A Hard Day's Night" was Lennon's brainchild.
The film also explores the evolution of The Beatles' sound during this period, from the early rock 'n' roll influences of their debut album Please Please Me to the more sophisticated and experimental sound of Rubber Soul. Musical experts weigh in on how Lennon and McCartney's songwriting evolved alongside The Beatles' changing musical style.
Composing The Beatles Songbook is not just an informative documentary, but also an entertaining one. Fans of The Beatles will relish the rare footage of the band performing live and the interviews with the members of the band. The film also includes plenty of musical snippets from The Beatles' early catalog, allowing viewers to appreciate the genius of Lennon and McCartney from a fresh perspective.
It's worth noting that the film is not just a hagiography of Lennon and McCartney. While it lavishes praise on the duo's songwriting skills, it acknowledges the tensions and conflicts that simmered beneath the surface of their partnership. Some of these tensions are explored in the documentary, such as the occasional bitterness that arose when one of them took sole credit for a song.
Overall, The Beatles - Composing The Beatles Songbook: Lennon And McCartney 1957 - 1965 is a must-watch for any Beatles fan, or anyone interested in the creative process of songwriting. It offers an illuminating look at the partnership between Lennon and McCartney, how they wrote some of the most enduring songs of the 20th century, and how their music still resonates with audiences today.
The Beatles - Composing The Beatles Songbook: Lennon And McCartney 1957 - 1965 is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
