It is almost the 45th anniversary of the first airing of Beatles' short film "Magical Mystery Tour."On December 26,1967,the BBC broadcast the film,which was Sir Paul McCartney's brainchild,to a national audience.The film was panned by the public and savaged by critics.It lacked a clearly defined plot,they complained;it was just a load of rubbish.
That was before the era of music videos.Clearly,sensibilities have changed.Today,it's hard to understand what the British were so outraged about.Watching a newly restored colour edition of the film proved to be a thoroughly entertaining experience.
To begin with,the music is as strong as ever.Classics such as "I Am The Walrus" and "Fool On The Hill" haven't lost any of their clever appeal.This witty film only accentuates them.
Some of the dialogue between Ringo Starr and his Aunt Jessie:
"I've had enough of it.I can't stand it anymore."
"Don't get historical."
It does indeed have a plot and a fine sense of place,although not completely linear.There are several dream or daydream sequences in the course of a grab bag sort of bus ride from the city into the British countryside.There is a distinct carnival atmosphere pervading the mystery tour."Roll up for the Magical Mystery Tour.Step right this way."
The picture is a montage of fun moments and songs that arise as the bus careens and cruises into the countryside:a game of tug of war;a love sequence between Aunt Jessie and the bus driver Mr.Blood Vessel;a manic army sergeant portrayed by comic actor and Beatles favorite Victor Spinetti;John Lennon's fatherly affection for a little girl on the bus;a singalong with an accordionist;even a fairly graphic striptease in a nightclub when darkness falls and the bus returns to town.
You feel you really have felt some magic,peering through a window at the vivid colours of the British imagination in the 1960s.It's a pity the original showing was met with such a lack of one.
"Magical Mystery Tour" is available on DVD.It runs about 53 minutes.
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