The day after Christmas, 1967. The Beatles’ first film directed by themselves (rather than Richard Lester, who helmed Help! and Hard Day’s Night) premieres on the BBC, titled Magical Mystery Tour.
These aren’t the same mop-topped boys, and the film’s psychedelic
sensibilities reveal as much to the people of England. There’s outrage
from the older generation, and there’s confusion from all – except maybe
those who are experimenting with drugs.
The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour film has served a specific
role in both the band’s history and pop culture overall. Yet compared
to the band’s more “produced” films (the ones including an actual script
and plotline), it’s greatly overlooked, due in part by the fact that it
was never broadcast in the U.S. Now the film has been gorgeously
restored in color (it originally aired in black and white) and the audio
remastered by George Martin’s son, Giles, released on DVD/Blu-Ray and massive box set earlier this month. Screenings of the new Magical Mystery Tour have
been taking place at a handful of theaters across the country, and last
night, New York was treated to an extra special screening at the Paley
Center for the Media. Following the film was a panel discussion, which
included Elvis Costello, Steven Van Zandt, screenwriter/director Tony
Gilroy (of Bourne Identity fame), Apple Film’s Jonathan Clyde (who oversaw the restoration), and MTV’s Bill Flanagan as moderator.
Each panelist brought a distinct point of view to the subject of the
film’s legacy. Costello was the Beatles scholar, as well as one of the
few in the room who’d seen its original 1967 broadcast. Gilroy was a bit
of a fanboy, noting that the Beatles are synonymous with his proverbial
“happy place.” Van Zandt was, at times, the quiet appreciator, and at
other times, the dose of “real talk” regarding the film’s non-plot. And
Clyde was the man with the behind-the-scenes scoop.
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