Tom Photiou
Film God
Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted July 21, 2019 10:22 AM
All this and WW2. 2 x 2000ft spools,
This is my latest and totally unplanned 16mm purchase which I made after the listing ran out a second time with no bids from Ian at Perry’s. When I first saw the listing it was too far over my price range for me and to be honest, at that time I was only curious about what this movie was as I had never heard of it. I do enjoy a good war movie and especially documentaries.
I took a look at the trailer on youtube and read about it on the internet. Clearly this was a very rare film indeed. Very unusual and almost a satire the way that some of the songs were with some of the images. The second listing at a reduced price still didn’t seem to get any interest. So I emailed Ian @ Perry’s and made an offer if the movie didn’t sell. I was pleased later that day when he said it’s your for x amount. I was kind of very pleased but a bit apprehensive at the same time.
This is one of those purchases I just had to pursue even though I knew the film was slated by critics and pulled from circulation by 20th century fox just two weeks after its release. The trailer made me curious enough for me to want it.
I knew this print was good by the images put up on ebay but for a 1976 film the print is absolutely immaculate. I am trying to identify the stock but I have a suspicion that it maybe IB tech due to the green clear leader. It is a fantastic print, no lines anywhere, (other than those within some of the sourced material which is only very occasionally and short) the sound is very good.
Despite all the slating by the critics we like it very much.
The film is such an oddity I wanted to share some of what I found out about it so I have put this condensed write up on here to share with those who may also be interested.
The one thing to remember about this movie, it was released in 1976 which was only 31 years after the end of the war. For many people at that time it would still have been quite raw in the mind as it is for the survivors still alive today.
ALL THIS AND WORLD WAR II combines a whole host of World War II-themed film segments (both period films and post-war action films) with the backdrop of the music of the Beatles (NOT the original songs, but cover versions by various artists). It probably wasn't the best concept to team the music of the world's best known "love songs" pop group with war footage! However, with that said, there are a few surreal moments in the film, such as marching Nazi's & Hitler rallies set to "Magical Mystery Tour". Perhaps a little subtle humour? "Roll up for the mystery tour" . Neville Chamberlain is shown at the precise time that the lyrics "living is easy with eyes close" is sung from "Strawberry Fields Forever". Hitler is shown during "Fool on the Hill" and Mussolini during "Nowhere Man". Both the Nazi blitzkrieg invasions and Dunkirk are shown during "Long & Winding Road" (telling how long the war will be?). It is bizarre to see the bombing of London with "Golden Slumbers" playing and even more so to see Japanese troops marching to "Come Together".
The film seems to try and present a chronological portrayal of important events of World War II as "Help" is played over scenes of Rommel in North Africa; a segment from Casablanca where Humphrey Bogart says, "I bet they're asleep all over America…" (talking about initial American isolationism?); Extended TORA TORA TORA clips(twice as much of the attack as is in the 400ft version on super 8) mixed with "Sunk King" and "I Am the Walrus"; the WACS are mobilising and shipping out during "She's Leaving Home"; the apathy of those at home to the Japanese "relocation" in America is played to "Let It Be"; there are cartoons showing mobilisation of the U.S. to "Getting Better". "Get Back" is the soundtrack to the Nazi's marching 'backwards' (the tide of the war is changing) and even shows Hitler 'dancing'. Another effective image is that of the crew of a ship listening to Keith Moon's version of "When I'm 64" over the loud speakers! The 'theme' continues as the D-Day invasion has a backing of "A Day in the Life"; "You Never Give Me Your Money" and its line "one sweet dream" represents the Allied victory; finally, the can almost guess what will happen during "The End", the atomic bomb!
As the credits roll, a reggae version of "Give Peace A Chance" plays over the credits -this is the one song that is not on the soundtrack that was released. This is possibly a 'clue' to an inside message of the film. Showing the atrocities and meaningless destruction of war while subliminally applying the "love" message of the Beatles and ending with "Give Peace A Chance"? That is probably also why the film got slammed mercilessly - people just couldn't see beyond the seemingly blatant "bad taste" of mixing World War II with the Beatles to see that the film is indeed a message of peace.
Ultimately, the film is almost like a '70s version of the Beatles own MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR movie - both movies leave you wondering, "What is the meaning?" Ironically, possibly the worst thing that happened to this film was its release by 20th Century Fox. Had it been an 'independent film', it probably would have been considered a surrealistic, dark comedy "art film".
THE MYSTERY SONG
one of the mysteries was the identity of the artist that performed the last song on the film. A cover of "Give Peace a Chance" ends the film as the credits are rolling, but the song itself is not listed in the credits and the song didn't make it to the soundtrack. Finally, this mystery was solved during an interview with Tony Bramwell in which he informed the interviewer that the mystery band was none other than Hot Chocolate! Back in 1969, the Hot Chocolate Band (as they were originally called) sent Apple records a reggae version of "Give Peace A Chance". John Lennon loved it and the song saw release as a 45rpm on Apple Records on October 10, 1969 (Apple 18 - "Give Peace A Chance"/ "Living Without Tomorrow"). The band shorted their name to 'Hot Chocolate'.
But why was this song included in the film, but not the soundtrack? Russ Regan said that the song didn't appear on the soundtrack because it was an "afterthought". Did Lennon influence in inclusion of this song? Since he was instrumental in getting the song released on Apple Records back in 1969, maybe this was a Lennon suggestion given to Tony Palmer when they discussed the film?
While the film never made it to video, there have been occasional showings over the years at various film festivals and on American cable TV. To my knowledge, there was never an official release on DVD or Blu Ray.
Here is a sampling of the songs you'll hear:
1. "Magical Mystery Tour" Ambrosia
2. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (Features John Lennon (under the pseudonym "Dr. Winston O'Boogie") on lead guitar & backing vocals) Elton John
3. "Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight" The Bee Gees
4. "I Am the Walrus" Leo Sayer
5. "She's Leaving Home" Bryan Ferry
6. "Lovely Rita" Roy Wood
7. "When I'm Sixty-Four" Keith Moon
8. "Get Back" Rod Stewart
9. "Let It Be" Leo Sayer
10. "Yesterday" David Essex
11. "With a Little Help from My Friends"/"Nowhere Man" Jeff Lynne
12. "Because" Lynsey de Paul
13. "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" The Bee Gees
14. "Michelle" Richard Cocciante
15. "We Can Work It Out" The Four Seasons
16. "The Fool on the Hill" Helen Reddy
17. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" Frankie Laine
18. "Hey Jude" The Brothers Johnson
19. "Polythene Pam" Roy Wood
20. "Sun King" The Bee Gees
21. "Getting Better" Status Quo
22. "The Long and Winding Road" Leo Sayer
23. "Help!" Henry Gross
24. "Strawberry Fields Forever" Peter Gabriel
25. "A Day in the Life" Frankie Valli
26. "Come Together" Tina Turner
27. "You Never Give Me Your Money" Will Malone & Lou Reizner
28. "The End" The London Symphony Orchestra
My own opinion is simply this, I think critics are generally idiots who want their opinion to be “the official line”. I’ve never let critic’s opinion’s sway me. What one person thinks of as crap, dull, or offensive is the opposite of what other people’s views may be. If you want an opinion see something yourself and make your own mind up.
Personally, I enjoy this rare & odd film very much and it will have many repeat showings.
Thank you Ian @ Perry’s for this one.
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