Help! (1965)

91% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(26,699 ratings)

In their second feature with director Richard Lester, who oversaw the massive hit A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles again aim for a mix of goofy comedy and sterling pop music. There is slightly more of a plot this time, though it is a patently ridiculous one: a sacred ruby ring comes into Ringo's… More In their second feature with director Richard Lester, who oversaw the massive hit A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles again aim for a mix of goofy comedy and sterling pop music. There is slightly more of a plot this time, though it is a patently ridiculous one: a sacred ruby ring comes into Ringo's possession, attracting the unwelcome attention of an exotic religious cult and forcing the boys to go on the run. This chase narrative is thankfully never taken too seriously, serving mainly as an excuse for colorful excursions to international locations from Europe to the Bahamas. The musical numbers include such classic tunes as "Ticket to Ride," "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," and, of course, "Help!". ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Richard Lester
Written By: Marc Behm, Charles Wood
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 29, 1965 Wide
On DVD: Nov 6, 2007

Critic Reviews

Mark Bourne, Film.com
For casual viewers, the whole thing has a retro charm. For Beatles fans, it's a flawed but essential film.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The boys themselves are exuberant and uninhibited in their own genial way. They just become awfully redundant and -- dare I say it? -- dull.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Madcap, nonsensical romp with the Beatles.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A fascinatingly manic adventure-comedy that doesn't always work as well as it might, but has worn much better than some of the other films made in the same vein at the same time.
Diva Velez, TheDivaReview.com
Help! is a magical set of vignettes threaded together by an ingenious script full Northern dry wit and some of the cleverest non-sequiturs and sight gags ever delivered with a straight face. Also, having the four kings of 1960's England at the heig
Bill Gibron, PopMatters
Help! remains a wonderful testament to a time when being a Beatle was still satisfying - at least, on the cinematic surface.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Beatles fans have always been too kind in overlooking the film's obvious flaws.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Nonsensical fun.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Already dated, but still a fun romp with the legendary Beatles.
Derek Adams, Time Out
A Hard Day's Night may be more primitive, but it also seems more spontaneous.
Brad Laidman, Film Threat
Lester's anarchic absurdity and quick cut camera gags make for a pretty good whole.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A cheerful and cheeky death-knell for traditional standards of well-crafted filmmaking from the previous decade.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Quirky but uneven musical-comedy
Fred Topel, About.com
Great Beatles movie full of fun, irreverent humor
Moira Sullivan, FilmFestivals.com
It really was phenomenal for the time, but even then, a bit thin around the edges. Our boys got to joke and meander about in a spy time spoof. Fun.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

HELP! the album has great, great music, as are the rest of the Beatles' music. HELP! the film is ridiculous and disappointing, silly and nonsensical. Maybe this is worth your time if you are a die-hard Beatles buff, but otherwise, no. People just praise this film because of… More
HELP! the album has great, great music, as are the rest of the Beatles' music. HELP! the film is ridiculous and disappointing, silly and nonsensical. Maybe this is worth your time if you are a die-hard Beatles buff, but otherwise, no. People just praise this film because of its music, and they look over the dumb plot. Note that this review is coming from a true-blue Beatles fan since age three.
AJ V

Help! You're going to need it if you're a Beatles fan who hasn't seen this movie! I love this movie it's my favourite of the Beatles' movies. It combines great songs and a great comedy plot. I highly recommend it.
Jennifer D

Ohhhhhh...... what is going on? Does anyone know? I love those movies where you just know what everyone is having fun. This is certainly one of them. It doesn't make sense. The plot is terrible. The script is meh, the acting isn't much better. But it's funny! And weird.… More
Ohhhhhh...... what is going on? Does anyone know? I love those movies where you just know what everyone is having fun. This is certainly one of them. It doesn't make sense. The plot is terrible. The script is meh, the acting isn't much better. But it's funny! And weird. AND I loved some of the camera work. No, really. Ticket to Ride was really great.
moon r

there's a script and lights and cameras and all that film tomfoolery, but that's of the least concern to the boys who openly flaunt their too-cool-for-film rock god personas, and, in a way, they're absolutely right. nonetheless, here at the internet film critique… More
there's a script and lights and cameras and all that film tomfoolery, but that's of the least concern to the boys who openly flaunt their too-cool-for-film rock god personas, and, in a way, they're absolutely right. nonetheless, here at the internet film critique school we take these matters seriously and so, with that in mind ... oh, just hang it all. find the ring! get the ring! and enjoy the music! and isn't there another movie where all this ring business is taken more seriously anyway, gollum?
Stephen M

A one joke movie stretched way beyond breaking point. Eleanor Bron and Leo McKern work hard to save the film from being a complete disaster but The Beatles themselves, by this time jaded, cynical and smoking marijuana, have lost much of their appeal from "A Hard Day's… More
A one joke movie stretched way beyond breaking point. Eleanor Bron and Leo McKern work hard to save the film from being a complete disaster but The Beatles themselves, by this time jaded, cynical and smoking marijuana, have lost much of their appeal from "A Hard Day's Night". John's two great numbers "Help!" and "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" aside, the songs are weaker this time round, too. And as a template for the subsequent Monkees television show, "Help!" has much to answer for.
Michael G

Entertaining and funny, but it's no Hard Day's Night.
Mike T

Silly fun. It will definitely please hardcore Beatles fans.
David S

The Beatles film with the least inspired soundtrack and the most contrived plot (oh, hang on, I forgot Magical Mystery Tour!) this saw the fab four moving away from the 'reality' of A Hard Days Night and into something more 60's and trippy. Ok, they weren't the… More
The Beatles film with the least inspired soundtrack and the most contrived plot (oh, hang on, I forgot Magical Mystery Tour!) this saw the fab four moving away from the 'reality' of A Hard Days Night and into something more 60's and trippy. Ok, they weren't the greatest actors in the world but they have a great chemistry and more than enough charm to carry this movie. Some of the jokes fall flat but there are so many you won't really care. Just sit back and enjoy.
Marion R

I love the Beatles, this is a fun film, with awesome songs. This film is just a fun ride.
Lizzy B

This one is just ridiculous... but if you saw the scenes individualy and didn't bother with the absurd storyline, you'd probably think it was pretty darn clever.
Nate H

Very silly, but might be a bit dull if not for the great music.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Beatles The as Themselves

            Leo McKern as Clang

            Eleanor Bron as Ahme

            Victor Spinetti as Prof. Foot

            Roy Kinnear as Algernon

            Patrick Cargill as Superintendent

            John Bluthal as Bhuta

            Alfie Bass as Doorman

            Warren Mitchell as Abdul

            Peter Copley as Jeweller

            Bruce Lacey as Lawnmower

            Thomas Baptiste
            
            Ronnie Brody
            
            Golda Casimir as Cleaner in Temple

            Vera Cook
            
            Mary Ford
            
            Gretchen Franklin as Woman in Street

            Andrea Malandrinos as Austrian Waiter

            Zienia Merton
            
            Dandy Nichols as Woman in Street

            Jenny Till
            
            George Harrison as George

            John Lennon
            
            Jeremy Lloyd
            
            Paul McCartney
            
            Ringo Starr
            
            Ian Wilson
            
            Rupert Holliday Evans as Priest

            Blake Butler
            
            Eve Eden
            
            Joe Gibbons
            
            Stewart Guidotti
            
            Alex MacIntosh
            
            Susan Reid
            
            Edith Saville
            
            Mal Evans as Cross Channel Swimmer

            John Louis Mansi
            
See full cast

Help! (1965)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

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