Amusing but dated as a film but a must-see for Beatles fans

Rating: Null/10 (4 May 2003)

This film follows the Beatles on a tour of the south of England. As usual they have all the problems associated with rushed schedules and high-pressure gigs  not to mention the screaming fans. However this time they have an extra consideration in Paul's grandfather who has come along to see the sights. He may be clean, but sadly he is a real stirrer and causes frictions in the band.
I saw this in the mid nineties in a bar full of students and I found it very enjoyable. To write a review of it I re-watched it last night and must say that it didn't have quite the same impact on me  maybe memory gave me a rose tinted impression of it. That's not to say I don't enjoy it but it seems to have dated very badly and major aspects of it seem very `out'. At it's heart the film is a way of getting the Beatles' music onscreen and feed the fans and, as a vehicle for them, it works very well. It has no plot but has plenty of memorable scenes and uses the grandfather well as a central point. The musical numbers are all great (of course) and all stand out.
The humour is good but there are too few really big laughs to make it hilarious. However it is still amusing with some good lines, imaginative bits and running jokes (`he's very clean'). The direction adds to the dated feel as Lester's jerky camera and student camera angles really make you know that it is from the 60's. However to be fair the film IS from the 60's and for many this will not bother them as this is part of it's appeal.
The Fab Four are great  all putting forward funny characters. Lennon comes off the best as the sarcastic one, Paul is a little less interesting and George makes even less of an impression. Ringo is very good  allowing himself to be made fun of but dealing with it well. The support cast add much of the comedy and have a few famous faces. Brambell (Steptoe) is the best of all the cast  his character is the funniest and is also the lynchpin for the majority of the film. Other faces you may see include Derek Nimmo and Deryck Guyler.
Overall this is a real must-see for anyone who likes the Beatles' music. The fact that it is funny will just add to it's appeal. As a film it is dated and not as funny as one would hope but then this is not just a film is it? Well worth a watch but sadly not as funny as I remembered it to be.