The Yellow Submarine [1968] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

This restored, animated valentine to the Beatles offers viewers the rare chance to see a work that's been substantially improved by its technical facelift, not just super-sized with extra footage. Recognising that its song-studded soundtrack alone makes Yellow Submarine a video annuity, United Artists has lavished a frame-by-frame refurbishment of the original feature, while replacing its original monaural audio tracks with a meticulously reconstructed stereo mix that actually refines legendary original album versions.

What emerges is a vivid time capsule of the late 1960s and a minor milestone in animation. The music represents the quartet's zenith--Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The story line, cobbled together by producer Al Brodax and a committee of writers, is a broad, feather-light allegory set in idyllic Pepperland, where the gentle citizens are threatened by the nasty, music-hating Blue Meanies and their surreal arsenal of henchmen, with the Beatles enlisted to thwart the bad guys. Visually, designer Heinz Edelmann mixes the biomorphic squiggles, day-glo palette and Beardsley-esque portraits of Peter Max with rotoscoped still photographs and film; Edelmann's animated collages also nod to Andy Warhol and Magritte in properly psychedelic fashion, which works wonderfully with such terrific songs.

High-orthodox Beatlemaniacs can still grouse that the animated Fab Four are (literally) flat archetypes, but that's missing the sheer bloom of the music or the giddy, campy fun of the visuals. Making sense of the story is second to submerging blissfully in the sights and sounds of this video treat. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

The last Blue Meanie (Paul Angelis) was seen in 1968........2007-11-17

In my case that was 1969. That's when I saw this in a double billing with Barbarella (1968) at West Point, NY.

The music is great and it brings back a part of history. Can the Beatles save Pepperland? Remember we all live in a Yellow Submarine. Instead of just buying the soundtrack, buy the movie and you have them both. I guess I will have to buy it also to hear "Hey, Bulldog!" Of course as with most movies there will always be someone one that prefers the original and knows that it was cut that way on purpose.

And now it is time for a whole new generation to enjoy.

The psychedelic (read plain imaginative) animation film to own.......2007-10-18

It is strangely the second (or even equally popular) best film with The Beatles soundtrack as a main support, the other of course been AHDN.

The "animation" is not the best part of it as they "move" quite "cardboard like"... BUT... it is an explosion of clever use of color and a very imaginative script.

The music of the group is more mature of course and THAT gives an EXCELLENT soundtrack.

Much more than a simple curiosity... you never fail to spot "something new" after seeing it again...

Highly Recommended

ADB

PS: I moved to Pepperland as soon as I could.

A must-see for any Beatles fan.......2007-09-03

The picture has got a simple and clear plot, but all those absurd, crazy jokes and strange characters could really blow your mind if you're not accustomed to John Lennon's jokes. It all reminds me of 'Alice in Wonderland' a lot. One should accept the picture 'as is'. Though my 3-year-old daughter loves it a lot! No need to talk about music - it's outstanding! In general, it's different and a definite must-see.

Truly mind-bending.......2007-08-31

Who are the blue meanies? Why is it only a northern song? Where did they get that artwork from? Was everyone stoned when they made this?

Great film, great music!!!

Music Television thats fresh 40 years on.......2006-07-21

Watch this film, it is a classic.

The narrative involves cut out animated characters (including the Beatles, well the Lonely Hearts Club Band) in a fairy-tale struggle. Not only is it imaginative and visually articulate, you also have the pleasure of many a Beatles tune. Furthermore, it is hilarious.

If only all music television was this good. The bench mark - A seminal work.

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