A Hard Day's Night (1964)
-
99% of critics liked it
(76 reviews) -
87% of users liked it
(46,664 ratings)
During the first worldwide flush of Beatlemania in 1964, United Artists wanted to ship out a movie with The Beatles before their vogue was over. Working within a tight $500,000 budget, director Richard Lester turned out A Hard Day's Night in a fast 6 1/2 weeks; the picture was in the theatres… More During the first worldwide flush of Beatlemania in 1964, United Artists wanted to ship out a movie with The Beatles before their vogue was over. Working within a tight $500,000 budget, director Richard Lester turned out A Hard Day's Night in a fast 6 1/2 weeks; the picture was in the theatres three months after shooting commenced. Using a variety of techniques cribbed from Hollywood slapstick comedies, the French "new wave" movement, and his own experiences as a TV-commercial director, Lester, with screenwriter Alun Owen, fashioned an exhilarating study of a "typical" 36 hours in the lives of the Fab Four. Onto a plot about getting to the Big Show on time are hung a series of instant-reaction gags, character vignettes, and musical setpieces. Much of the humor arises from Paul McCartney's efforts to keep his grandfather (Wilfred Brambell), a "clean old man," from getting into mischief. Also good for several laughs is the hookey-playing Ringo Starr, whose mistimed declaration of independence lands him in jail. We are also treated to a war of nerves between the unflappable John Lennon and an uptight TV director (Victor Spinelli), who worries that, should the Beatles not show up at broadcast time, he'll be demoted to "News In Welsh." George Harrison stars in a sequence in which he is mistaken for an auditionee by the producer (Kenneth Haigh) of a superficially trendy, teen-oriented TV weekly. Then there's Norman Rossington and John Junkin as The Beatles' managers, who carry on a battle royale simply because one man is taller than the other. The supporting cast includes comedienne Anna Quayle, cartoonist Bob Godfrey, TV host Robin Ray, dancer Lionel Blair, Harrison's future wife Patti Boyd, and director Lester himself. The songs include "I Should Have Known Better," "And I Love Her," "Tell Me Why," "If I Fell," "Can't Buy Me Love," and the title song. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Lester
- Written By
- Alun Owen
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Aug 11, 1964 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
-
Jonas Mekas, Village Voice
At best, it is fun. But "fun" is not an aesthetic experience: fun remains on the surface. I have nothing against the surface. But it belongs where it is and shouldn't be taken for anything else.
-
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
American-born director Richard Lester serves up a helping of what, on this side of the pond, we came to think of as kicky, mod British filmmaking.
-
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The mop-tops are likeably relaxed, with Lennon offering a few welcome moments of his dry, acerbic wit.
-
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It's a fine conglomeration of madcap clowning in the old Marx Brothers' style, and it is done with such a dazzling use of camera that it tickles the intellect and electrifies the nerves.
-
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Not only has this film not dated, it may even look fresher than it did in 1964; the zigzag cutting and camera moves, the jaunty ironies and pop-celebrity playfulness, are all standard issue now on MTV and its offspring.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
John Lennon
as John Lennon
-
Paul McCartney
as Paul McCartney
-
George Harrison
as George Harrison
-
Ringo Starr
as Ringo Starr
-
Wilfrid Brambell
as Paul's Grandfather
-
Norman Rossington
as Norm
-
Victor Spinetti
as Television Director
-
John Junkin
as Shake
-
Anna Quayle
as Millie
-
Richard Vernon
as Man on Train
-
Deryck Guyler
as Police Inspector
- Bridget Armstrong
- Beatles The
-
Lionel Blair
as TV Choreographer
- John Bluthal
- Rosemarie Frankland
-
Kenneth Haigh
as Simon Marshall
-
Claire Kelly
as Barmaid
-
David Langton
as Actor
-
Eddie Malin
as Hotel waiter
- Derek Nimmo
- Margaret Nolan
-
Alison Seebohm
as Secretary
-
Marianne Stone
as Society reporter
-
Michael Trubshawe
as Casino manager
- Roger Avon
-
Robin Ray
as TV Floor Manager
- Jane Lumb


