Help! (1965)

Sir Ringo Starr finds himself the human sacrifice target of a cult, and his fellow members of The Beatles must try to protect him from it.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Marc Behm (screenplay), Charles Wood (screenplay)

Stars:

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
The Beatles	...	The Beatles
Leo McKern	...	Clang
Eleanor Bron	...	Ahme
Victor Spinetti	...	Foot
Roy Kinnear	...	Algernon
John Bluthal	...	Bhuta
Patrick Cargill	...	Superintendent
Alfie Bass	...	Doorman
Warren Mitchell	...	Abdul
Peter Copley	...	Jeweller
Bruce Lacey	...	Lawnmower

Storyline

An Eastern cult discovers that the sacrificial ring is missing. Sir Ringo Starr, drummer of The Beatles has it; sent by the girl (who's to be sacrificed) as a gift. Clang, Ahme, Bhuta, and several cult members leave for London to retrieve the ring. After several failed attempts to steal the ring, they confront him in an Indian restaurant. Ringo learns that if he does not return the ring soon, he will become the next sacrifice. Ringo then discovers that the ring is stuck on his finger. Its a race against time; John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, and George Harrison try to protect their friend while they're all being chased not only by Clang and his minions, but also by two mad scientists and the Chief Inspector of Scotland yard. Will Ringo be saved, or will he be sacrificed?

---

Plot Keywords:

ring | mad scientist | human sacrifice | the beatles | drummer | 

---

Taglines:

The colorful adventures of the Beatles are more colorful than ever...in color! (Poster).

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Musical

---

Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to still photos included in the "making of" documentary on the new Special Edition DVD, one of the features in Sir Ringo Starr's apartment space that was not used in the movie was a little dining room table and chairs in the vending machine wall that would pop out in the same manner as Sir Paul McCartney's organ.

---

Goofs

In the scene where Prof. Foot and Algerman are on the ski lift and try to kidnap Ringo off of the sled, the rest of the Beatles sled far away down the mountain while the ski lift is still going in the opposite direction. The rope breaks only after the lift turns around back down the hill, yet when Ringo stands up, The Beatles are just passing by.

---

Quotes

Ahme: Hold! Release him or I shoot, and I am a dead-eye shot, shooting.

---

Crazy Credits

While the music is playing at the end (Overture from "Il bariere di Siviglia"), the Beatles are jokingly singing along with it and occasionally reading the credits.

---

Alternate Versions

The TMC version of Help! Is missing many of the sub titles and there is no announcer's voice at the intermission.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Powerpuff Girls: Moral Decay/Meet the Beat-Alls (2001)

---

Soundtracks

I Need You
(1965)
Written by George Harrison
Performed by The Beatles (uncredited)
Published by Capitol Records

User Reviews

Beatles Classic

Although not as critically acclaimed as The Beatles' previous movie "A Hard Day's Night", "Help!" is equally as entertaining. In my opinion, the plot is much more interesting because it takes The Beatles to different locations around the world instead of just movie sets and hotel rooms. The first movie was to show how The Beatles lived everyday life and "Help!" was a fresh departure from this. I believe that this film is much more fun because John, Paul, George, and Ringo are having fun and so will you.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Help!

Filming Locations:

Ailsa Avenue, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walter Shenson Films, Subafilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital (re-release)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1