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| As advertised by Amazon in the UK |
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| Bluray DeLuxe edition |
Links:
Single Disc DVD (UK) / (USA)
Deluxe Double Disc DVD (UK) /
Regular Blu-ray (UK) / (USA)
Deluxe 2 disc Blu-ray (UK) / (USA)
Update: Now also listed at Amazon in the USA for November 18.
2-disc Deluxe Collector’s Edition (DVD/BD) includes:
1 x BD/DVD feature disc
+ 1 Bonus Disc (containing approx. 100 minutes of extras, highlighted below)
64 page booklet with an introduction from director Ron Howard, essay by music journalist and author
Jon Savage and rare photos from The Beatles’ private archive.
Generally speaking, the bonus disc material is similar to the film. Pretty general. The Cavern/Hamburg section is more developed, but not much. There's a section about fans who saw them. A longer bit with Richard Lester about "A Hard Days Night". There's also more about the studio work and songwriting during the period. All of it is very similar to the style of the final film but just didn't fit for story and/or time constraints. So, here's the breakdown of the bonus disc (with our comments in italics):
Words & Music (24 mins)
John, Paul, George & Ringo reflect on songwriting and the influence of music from their parents’ generation, Lennon/McCartney writing for other artists, The Beatles as individual musicians, and the band as innovators. Also featuring Howard Goodall, Peter Asher, Simon Schama and Elvis Costello. The interviews with Paul and Ringo are previously unseen.
Early Clues To A New Direction (18 mins)
A special feature touching on The Beatles as a collective, the importance of humor, the impact of women on their early lives and songwriting, and the band as a musical movement. Featuring John, Paul, George & Ringo, along with Paul Greengrass, Stephen Stark, Peter Asher, Malcolm Gladwell, Sigourney Weaver, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Curtis, Elvis Costello and Simon Schama. Again the interviews with Paul and Ringo are previously unseen.
Liverpool (11 mins)
The early days in Liverpool of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s are brought vividly to life by those who worked closely with them at that time including fan club secretary Freda Kelly, Allan Williams an early manager, and Leslie Woodhead multi-award winning documentary film director. Probably Bill Harry too. Ron Howard wanted the film to focus on when the fabs were already a phenomenon, so the Liverpool/Hamburg/Europe section was heavily scissored off.
The Beatles in Concert (12 mins)
Five great but rarely seen full length performances of The Beatles live in concert - Twist and Shout, She Loves You (both manchester '63), Can’t Buy Me Love (NME Poll Winners '64), You Can’t Do That and Help! (Blackpool, colourised). These are just the full versions of songs already in the final film.
Three Beatles' Fans - Interviews with three women from the USA who saw the Beatles. One met them and has a picture. It's sweet.
Ronnie Spector and The Beatles - Ronnie talks about knowing them, Phil not wanting her to be around John, and generally places herself in the story. Standard extra.
Shooting A Hard Day’s Night - More detail from the Richard Lester section, about working with them at the height of Beatlemania.
The Beatles in Australia - Longer than in the film. This was cut for narrative/time issues. More fan footage. Cool but short.
Recollections of Shea Stadium - no idea, fans? Paul and Ringo?
The Beatles in Japan - Likely the extra footage used in the Japan edition of the film.
An alternative opening for the film - no idea, probably exactly that.