Help! (1965)

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Marc Behm (story)
Charles Wood (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 August 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

Stop worrying! HELP! is on the way!

Plot:

Ringo finds himself the human sacrifice target of a cult and the band must try to protect him from it.

Plot Keywords:

Snowman | Breaking The Fourth Wall | Swimmer | Austrian Alps | Ticket

Awards:

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

John Lennon	...	John (as The Beatles)
Paul McCartney	...	Paul (as The Beatles)
George Harrison	...	George (as The Beatles)
Ringo Starr	...	Ringo (as The Beatles)
Leo McKern	...	Clang
Eleanor Bron	...	Ahme
Victor Spinetti	...	Prof. Foot
Roy Kinnear	...	Algernon
John Bluthal	...	Bhuta
Patrick Cargill	...	Superintendent
Alfie Bass	...	Doorman
Warren Mitchell	...	Abdul
Peter Copley	...	Jeweller
Bruce Lacey	...	Lawnmower
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frankie Howerd	...	Sam Ahab (scenes deleted)
Wendy Richard	...	Lady Macbeth (scenes deleted)

Also Known As:

Beatles Phase II (UK) (working title)
Eight Arms to Hold You (UK) (working title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (re-release) | Mono

Certification:

UK:U | South Korea:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | USA:G (1980)

Filming Locations:

Ailsa Avenue, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company:

Subafilms

Trivia:

While filming in the Bahamas, The Beatles rented a sports car for each of them to drive in. According to various stories, the boy drove to a rock quarry and began having races and smashing into each other for fun. There is filmed evidence of this fact: In the theatrical trailer, there are except scenes of the Beatles driving around in the quarry woven into the movie footage.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Prof. Foot and Algerman are on the ski lift and try to kidnap Ringo off of the sled, the rest of the Beatles sled far away down the mountain while the ski lift is still going in the opposite direction. The rope breaks only after the lift turns around back down the hill, yet when Ringo stands up, The Beatles are just passing by.

Quotes:

John: Stop dragging things down to your own level, it's immature son.
Ringo: Well I... Well I thought she was a sandwich, 'til she went spare on me finger.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Soundtrack:

She's a Woman

BEATLEMANIA PART 2

"Help" is a nice companion movie to "A Hard Days Night". It is filmed in color, and while it doesn't have the classic look of black and white "Hard Days Night", the script is better, and the Beatles appear more relaxed acting. The music is very good. Ringo, often in the background during in concerts and on recordings, proves he is the best actor of the Fab Four. Paul, John and George come across the screen as genuine and charismatic. "Help!" is filmed in different locations as well, which add to the film's quality. To me, the Beatles are the greatest rock group in history. Before there was MTV, there was "A Hard Days Night" and "Help!". Nothing in music can top that.