Capturing John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in their electrifying element, 'A Hard Day's Night' is a wildly irreverent journey through this pastiche of a day in the life of The Beatles during 1964. The band have to use all their guile and wit to avoid the pursuing fans and press to reach their scheduled television performance, in spite of Paul's troublemaking grandfather and Ringo's arrest.
Direction
Lester's handheld, kinetic style — basically invented the modern music video
Acting
The Beatles playing exaggerated versions of themselves, savage and silly
Editing
Jazz-like cutting rhythm, influenced by the French New Wave
Director
Richard Lester
John Lennon
John
Paul McCartney
Paul
George Harrison
George
Ringo Starr
Ringo
Wilfrid Brambell
Grandfather
Norman Rossington
Norm
John Junkin
Shake
Victor Spinetti
T.V. Director
Anna Quayle
Millie
Deryck Guyler
Police Inspector
Richard Vernon
Man on Train
Edward Malin
Hotel Waiter
Lionel Blair
T.V. Floor Manager
Alison Seebohm
Secretary
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This film basically created the template for every 'band on the run' movie since, from Spinal Tap to Almost Famous.
The title came from Ringo's malapropism after a marathon session — he meant 'hard day's work.'
GB
