The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour Memories

Things your mother might not know

Narrated and hosted by Victor Spinetti, a star of The Beatles’ movies, Magical Mystery Tour Memories recalls the making of the group’s ill-received film. With contributions from those involved in the production, namely Beatles press agent Tony Barrow, aide Tony Bramwell, Macca’s brother Mike, Bonzo Dog Neil Innes and fan club secretary Frieda Kelly, you get a good insight into how McCartney’s 1967 brainchild was produced.

Highlights include fascinating recollections from fans near the shooting, previously unseen pictures and unheard audio interviews with George (who is most co-operative) and Ringo (who is not). There’s also a contemporary interview with Spinetti himself, who briefly recreates his famous Sgt Major sequence from the film. For many, however, the highlights will be the few previously unseen colour home movies of the Fabs and their crew during filming, taken by fans armed with 8mm cameras.

Bonus features include extended interviews with the stars, namely Spinetti, Kelly, Bramwell, Barrow, Ward and Innes, who delivers an off-the-cuff Death Cab For Cutie, a Bonzos song used in the MMT. In all, this is most enjoyable and, while we endlessly wait for an official, Apple-endorsed European DVD release of MMT, this will fill the void.

Weinerworld | WNRD 2449

Reviewed by Keith Badman
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