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Over two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live television performance.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writer:

Alun Owen (original screenplay)
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
The Beatles ... The Beatles
John Lennon ... John
Paul McCartney ... Paul
George Harrison ... George
Ringo Starr ... Ringo
Wilfrid Brambell ... Grandfather
Norman Rossington ... Norm
John Junkin ... Shake
Victor Spinetti ... T.V. Director
Anna Quayle ... Millie
Deryck Guyler ... Police Inspector
Richard Vernon ... Man on Train
Edward Malin Edward Malin ... Hotel Waiter (as Eddie Malin)
Robin Ray Robin Ray ... T.V. Floor Manager
Lionel Blair ... T.V. Choreographer
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Storyline

A day and a half in the life of the Fab Four leading up to a televised concert gig. The boys seem to be constantly on the run, from their crazed fans and from their manager, who is constantly trying to rein them in. Sir Ringo Starr however is arrested and still isn't in the studio half an hour before air time. With Sir Paul McCartney's grandfather available for additional comical relief, the group performs a dozen or so songs. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

6 exciting new songs! (Posters). See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Musical

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the Beatles are shown smoking. This was shocking to American audiences. While the Beatles had grown up in tough working class situations where smoking was common among youth, the band had been marketed to Americans as being cute, sweet, harmless "mop-tops" who loved to wear matching outfits, and joke around. This was important because their long hair was seen by conservative Americans as being dangerously radical.

When Laister filmed the boys smoking, he had not considered the impact on American conservatives. Even Elvis Presley, who shocked audiences in the late fifties, was never shown to be smoking in the early days as it would have criminal inferences. See more »

Goofs

Whilst the closing credits say that all the songs were written by Lennon and McCartney, the soundtrack includes "Don't Bother Me," written by George Harrison. See more »

Quotes

Grandfather: Would you look at him? Sittin' there with his hooter scrapin' away at that book!
Ringo: Well, what's the matter with that?
Grandfather: Have you no natural resources of your own? Have they even robbed you of that?
Ringo: You can learn from books!
Grandfather: You can, can you? Pahh! Sheeps' heads! You could learn more by gettin' out there and living!
Ringo: Out where?
Grandfather: Any old where! But not our little Richard. Oh, no. When you're not thumpin' them pagan skins you're tormenting your eyes with that rubbish.
Ringo: Books are good.
Grandfather: *Parading's* better.
Ringo: ...
[...]
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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are superimposed over the action. The Beatles are running from a mob of fans whilst the title track plays. See more »

Alternate Versions

The 1981 re-release version has the following end credit (added & superimposed under the original ones for 'Sound Recordists', 'Sound Editor' & 'Assistant Editor'): "Rerecorded in DOLBY STEREO (TM Logo) at GOLDWYN SOUND FACILITY STEVE MASLOW, C.A.S. GREGG LANDAKER, C.A.S. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

She Loves You
(1963) (uncredited)
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Performed by The Beatles
Published by Capitol Records
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User Reviews

Brilliant film captures brilliant artists
12 April 1999 | by MrVBSee all my reviews

Excellent production, script, acting and what BRILLIANT music composed under the duress of filming and touring! John Lennon's tour-de-force (he wrote 11 1/2 songs on the album, Paul McCartney wrote half of "And I Love Her" and all of "Things We Said Today"). The script captures perfectly the joys and draining madness of Beatlmania. The Beatles prove in this film that they are deserving of the fame and adulation.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German | French

Release Date:

7 July 1964 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

A Hard Day's Night See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$560,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$50,445, 3 December 2000

Gross USA:

$1,480,356

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,360,561
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »

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