A Subversive Film!

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2011)

Well, not like "Dr. Strangelove" was that same year. But, for a 15 year old in 1964 Midwest America, the confident cheekiness of the band towards their elders (and betters) was an eye-opener.
Prime example is Ringo's response to the well heeled businessman who reminded him that "I fought the war for your sort." Ringo's reply still echoes: "I'll bet you're sorry you won!" There's plenty more of that throughout the film in nearly every vignette. Even Paul's "grandfather" is something of a rebel causing his own brand of trouble for staff and officialdom alike.
Like so much of what the Beatles did, said and produced, HDN was and remains a template for what came after. A fine film that still appears less dated than it looks. As for the they-can't-act knock, the band admitted as much early and often. Compared to the beach & Elvis movies out then, HDN is positively new wave stuff.
Context, people, context!
(Oh, and by the way, the music is terrific and Beatlemania was really like that)