Help! (1965)

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Marc Behm (story)
Charles Wood (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 August 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

Stop worrying! HELP! is on the way!

Plot:

Ringo finds himself the human sacrifice target of a cult and the band must try to protect him from it.

Plot Keywords:

Orange | The Beatles | Miniaturization | Marching Band | Intermission

Awards:

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

John Lennon	...	John (as The Beatles)
Paul McCartney	...	Paul (as The Beatles)
George Harrison	...	George (as The Beatles)
Ringo Starr	...	Ringo (as The Beatles)
Leo McKern	...	Clang
Eleanor Bron	...	Ahme
Victor Spinetti	...	Prof. Foot
Roy Kinnear	...	Algernon
John Bluthal	...	Bhuta
Patrick Cargill	...	Superintendent
Alfie Bass	...	Doorman
Warren Mitchell	...	Abdul
Peter Copley	...	Jeweller
Bruce Lacey	...	Lawnmower
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frankie Howerd	...	Sam Ahab (scenes deleted)
Wendy Richard	...	Lady Macbeth (scenes deleted)

Also Known As:

Beatles Phase II (UK) (working title)
Eight Arms to Hold You (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (re-release) | Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | UK:U | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | USA:G (1980)

Filming Locations:

Ailsa Avenue, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

Subafilms

Trivia:

Due to time constraints, the film was edited while it was being shot. So by day Richard Lester would shoot the film, and by night he would edit any scenes that had been completed.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where the Beatles walk into the restaurant and sit, Paul and Ahme are visible dancing in the mirror on the right side of the screen, however, they don't meet until the next shot.

Quotes:

Ahme: [to camera] I am not what I seem.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Soundtrack:

I Need You

Another Crazy Beatles Outing.

God Bless the Beatles. They're one of the few musical groups that still remain as fresh and entertaining even today. And that applies to their films as well. "Help!" is a lot of fun. Take the fab four with a goofy plot of Ringo being the target of religious sacrificial cult, add a handful of great songs, and that's the movie. The one-liners in this film are still very funny, with plenty of "groaners" and the typical quick British wit. Really nice camera work, great sets (the Beatles' apartment showcases clever diversity for each member's personality) and just wild sub-plots throughout the film. (Paul's tiny adventure and the tank chase comes to mind.) As I said before, the film's main asset is the music, and one can't help but find themselves caught up in the songs.

The strangest thing in the film is when it abruptly veers away from the cult chase to numerous songs and the Beatles just playing around. Even with a few more attempts on poor Ringo's finger, it seems like everyone takes a break from the chase. It really doesn't matter, however. The Beatles seem to be having a good time, and you can't help but join in.

"Help!" is a great showcase of Beatles music, fun writing and clever visuals. While not as great as "A Hard Day's Night", those who enjoyed that movie will be hard-pressed to find anything wrong here.