SYNOPSIS:
Songs you’ll never forget, the film you’ve never seen and a story that’s never been heard. In 1967, in the wake of the extraordinary impact of Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles made a film – a dreamlike story of a coach daytrip, a magical mystery tour. It was seen by a third of the nation, at 8.35pm on BBC1 on Boxing Day and all hell broke loose.
“Magical Mystery Tour ” was greeted with outrage and derision by middle England and the establishment media. “How dare they?”, they cried – “They’re not film directors, who do they think they are?” they howled. Where were the four lovable moptops of “Help!” and “A Hard Day’s Night?”
BBC TV’s multi-award winning “Arena” tells this greatest of untold Beatles stories exploring how the counter cultural artistic landscape of 1967 created the environment for a film like Magical Mystery Tour to be made. Contributors include Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Fonda, Martin Scorsese, Terry Gilliam, Paul Merton and Neil Innes.
Roll up roll up for The Mystery Tour!
BIO:
Francis Hanly's most recent documentaries have included a biography of Beatles producer, Sir George Martin, and a six-part series on the History of Music with renowned composer and broadcaster, Howard Goodall. He's won many awards including the prestigious Royal Television Society prize for his film on the compositions of Lennon & McCartney. He's also involved in a long-term collaboration with writer and broadcaster Jonathan Meades making programmes on subjects as diverse as Scottish Football Grounds, the mudflats of Essex and the madness of Victorian architects.
MAIN CREDITS:
Cast/Featuring: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Fonda
The Woodstock Film Festival is a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization with a mission to present an
annual program and year-round schedule of film, music,
and art-related activities that promote artists, culture,
inspired learning, and diversity. The Hudson Valley Film
Commission promotes sustainable economic development
by attracting and supporting film, video and media production.
