Beatles Anthology, what’s in the new video episode

Screened in preview last night in Milan, the additional episode of “Anthology” on video naturally aroused the curiosity of fans regarding the contents. At this point, even a single unedited video clip inevitably attracts attention.

How is this additional episode of the saga originally published thirty years ago constructed? Formally, like all the other episodes: that is, based on first-hand interviews and statements by the Beatles and some of their close collaborators (George Martin, Neil Aspinall), enriched by archive images, sifted through thousands of films over the decades.

We could say that episode nine consists of two parts. On the one hand, a kind of career summary, with images and flashbacks taken from the group’s eight years of partnership. Some clips are well-known, others less so (McCartney in the studio rehearsing “Helter Skelter”). The second part, focused instead on the three songs of the “reunion” – pass me the term – of 1994-95, is a sort of mini-documentary on the creation of “Free as a Bird”, “Real Love” and “Now and Then”, and contains various video material that has never appeared before.

The montage of this section offers a “behind the scenes” look at the three John Lennon songs recreated in the studio by Paul, George and Ringo with the help of Jeff Lynne, in an era in which technology did not yet have all of today’s possibilities (which came to the rescue for the third song “Now and Then” published two years ago and today also applied to the other two songs, re-proposed in unreleased mixes that appear in the new vinyl, CD and streaming versions of the work “Anthology”). The emphasis on these technical aspects is strong, and perhaps not immediately usable for the general public, but the images of the three in the studio while they rehearse ideas, instrumental and vocal parts, convey the atmosphere of the sessions well. If you want a reconfirmation that Paul was the motivational engine of the band (a contagious, sometimes even excessive enthusiasm), George the critical spirit (caustic but necessary, at times tired) and Ringo the human glue (also due to his innate patience), here you are served.

Luca Perasi

Particularly competent on the topic of Paul McCartney, Luca Perasi is also competent on the Beatles. In fact, among his published books there is also the one below.