Martin Scorsese is expanding his music documentary empire to include The Beatles.
Disney+ feature “Beatles ’64” is directed by David Tedeschi, with Scorsese producing. The film centers on the iconic British band’s first visit to America, which began the stateside phenomenon of Beatlemania.
The official synopsis reads: “On February 7, 1964, The Beatles arrived in New York City to unprecedented excitement and hysteria. From the instant they landed at Kennedy Airport, met by thousands of fans, Beatlemania swept New York and the entire country. Their thrilling debut performance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ captivated more than 73 million viewers, the most watched television event of its time. ‘Beatles ’64’ presents the spectacle, but also tells a more intimate behind the scenes story, capturing the camaraderie of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as they experienced unimaginable fame.”
“Beatles ’64” includes never-before-seen footage, which was filmed by pioneering documentarians Albert and David Maysles. The clips were restored in 4K by Park Road Post in New Zealand.
The feature also spans the live performances from The Beatles’ first American concert at the Washington, DC Coliseum and their “Ed Sullivan” appearances, which were demixed by WingNut Films and remixed by Giles Martin. Additionally, the music and footage were augmented by newly filmed interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the only two living members of the band, as well as fans whose lives were transformed by The Beatles.
Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, which was founded in 2003, produced music documentaries “George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” “Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story,” “No Direction Home: Bob Dylan,” and docuseries “The Blues.”
Along with Scorsese, McCartney, Starr, Olivia Harrison, and Sean Ono Lennon all produce “Beatles ’64.” Margaret Bodde, Jonathan Clyde, and Mikaela Beardsley also produce the feature alongside executive producers Jeff Jones and Rick Yorn.
Coinciding with the film’s Disney+ release, seven American Beatles albums have been analog cut for 180-gram audiophile vinyl from their original mono master tapes. The albums will be released November 22 by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe.
Originally compiled for U.S. release between January 1964 and March 1965 by Capitol Records and United Artists, these mono albums have been out of print on vinyl since 1995. The albums include “Meet The Beatles!,” “The Beatles’ Second Album,” “A Hard Day’s Night (Original Motion Picture Sound Track),” “Something New,” “The Beatles’ Story (2LP),” “Beatles ’65,” and “The Early Beatles.” All are available for preorder in a new vinyl box set titled “The Beatles: 1964 U.S. Albums In Mono,” with six of the titles also available individually.
The Beatles are also the subject of an upcoming four-film saga to be directed by Sam Mendes. Sony greenlit four films that will be from each perspective of the band members, including McCartney, Starr, John Lennon, and George Harrison. Casting has not yet been announced.
As for “Beatles ’64” producer Scorsese, in addition to the documentary, the auteur is also producing Fox Nation series “The Saints” and an Italy-set marine archaeology documentary. Scorsese will also be executive producing the “Cape Fear” TV series for Apple TV+ along with Steven Spielberg, and executive producing Celina Murga’s “The Freshly Cut Grass.”
Scorsese recently paused two other projects that were expected to shoot in November, including “The Life of Jesus,” which was confirmed in January 2024. The 80-minute, independently funded film was going to be mostly set in the present day and focus on Jesus’ core teachings. The other film Scorsese was going to direct was his long-gestating Frank Sinatra biopic, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence rumored to be cast. He also might still direct Apple Original film “The Wager” starring DiCaprio.
“Beatles ’64” premieres November 29 on Disney+. Check out the trailer below.
