The Forgotten Beatles Movie

[Rich T.]

Anyone else out there remember this film? It came out in the late seventies.

All This and World War II

It was basically the history of World War II, shown entirely in newsreel footage, set to Beatles music. No narration. The songs were performed by Rod Stewart, Ambrosia (their version of Magical Mystery Tour was excellent), Tina Turner, and many others accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra.

I saw it during its very brief theatrical run. It bombed and disappeared forever. The double soundtrack album was a fun, beautifully produced project...some really interesting interpretations. I'd love to see the album show up on iTunes. It'll probably never happen, though.

It was a lot better than the Sgt. Pepper movie.

[soup567]

interesting...

[imdwalrus05]

It was a lot better than the Sgt. Pepper movie.

You say that like it's an accomplishment. YouTube videos of people playing with their cats are better movies than Sgt. Pepper was.

The soundtrack looks like it could be interesting, but also looks as hit-or-miss as the Sgt. Pepper soundtrack was.

[Rich T.]

I just checked it out on Wikipedia. Forgot it also used a lot of footage from Fox's WWII films. I also forgot just how many good artists contributed to it. Keith Moon, Jeff Lynne, Peter Gabriel....

Youtube has the trailer, which is clever--The trailer was purposely done in the style of a 1940's movie ad.

[Rich T.]

You say that like it's an accomplishment. YouTube videos of people playing with their cats are better movies than Sgt. Pepper was.

Agreed...But it's probably the best compliment anyone'll ever give All This and WWII.

The soundtrack had a few great tracks: Magical Mystery Tour, Come Together, Help!, The End, and--believe it or not, Leo Sayer did a respectable job on I am the Walrus and Long and Winding Road.

Some of it was just awful, though. The boxed LP came with a cool illustrated lyic book--again done as a condensed WWII history.

[Rich T.]

What is the name of the film?

All This and World War II

[Rich T.]

Thanks for posting the link. If anyone's at all interested in hearing the music, someone's posted a lot of the LP tracks on Youtube...and with pretty good sound quality. I highly recommend Ambrosia's Magical Mystery Tour, Tina Turner's Come Togther, Leo Sayer's I Am the Walrus and Jeff Lynne's A Little Help/Nowhere Man.

One thing's held up really well on this soundtrack album: The incredibly full, colorful majesty of the London Symphony Orchestra-- They make everything sound better.