Today, the first trailer for The Beatles ‘64, a new documentary directed by David Tedeschi and produced by Martin Scorsese, made its debut. The documentary features never-before-seen footage of the Beatles’ first trip to the US in February 1964, capturing intimate moments, light-hearted interactions, and the cultural impact of their arrival.
Set to be released on Disney+ on 29 November, the film showcases present day interviews with surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with other ’60s icons like Smokey Robinson and Ronnie Spector. Scorsese, known for award-winning music documentaries (as well as his celebrated feature film career), produced the film alongside long-time collaborator Tedeschi.
The trailer hints at a blend of humour and nostalgia, with scenes that reveal the toll of the band’s relentless schedule. In one light-hearted scene, Starr mistakes Washington for New York, laughing it off with, “we’re just moving so fast.” Other unseen clips capture the band’s candid exchanges in what will be a real treat for Beatles fans of all ages.
Music legend Smokey Robinson comments in the documentary on how the Beatles were “the first white group I heard say, ‘yeah, we grew up listening to Black music,’” while the late Ronnie Spector recalls the Fab Four’s fascination with American culture. “They wanted to know everything about America: The food, the groups, the dancing. They loved it,” she says.
The Beatles’ 1964 trip to the US marked the dawn of the “British Invasion” and reshaped American pop culture. Arriving to ecstatic crowds and unprecedented media frenzy at Kennedy Airport, their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show drew over 73 million viewers and sparked Beatlemania on a national scale. This US visit helped lay the groundwork for them becoming a global phenomenon.
The Beatles greeted by hundreds of fans after landing.
To give fans a taste, Disney+ teased this trailer on social media, where posts are already trending. Across the various Beatles associated accounts that reposted it, hundreds of users have shared their excitement at the project.
I used to watch the first US visit dvd on repeat all day as a kid, it’s gonna be amazing seeing new footage from this time
— peter lane (@peterlanee) November 14, 2024
Originally filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles, the documentary’s footage has been restored in 4K, capturing every detail. Audio experts at WingNut Films remixed the soundtrack, with Beatles producer Giles Martin (son of original producer George Martin) adding his touch to enhance their debut US concert and Ed Sullivan Show appearances.
The release of The Beatles ‘64 comes on the heels of Disney’s success with Get Back in 2021, the Peter Jackson-directed documentary that took audiences behind the scenes of the Beatles’ Let It Be sessions. Disney+ will be aiming to replicate that critical acclaim Get Back achieved by bringing another deep dive into the band’s legacy to their service.
Anybody who has watched some of Scorsese’s more recent music documentaries, such as George Harrison: Living in the Material World and Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story, will be eagerly waiting to see how he approaches a project with four equally charismatic stars, even if he is just serving as a producer. Along with Scorsese, the documentary is also being produced by McCartney, Starr, Olivia Harrison (George Harrison’s widow), and Sean Ono Lennon.
For fans of the Fab Four, the promise of unseen moments between John Lennon, George Harrison, and their bandmates offers a unique look back at the cultural phenomenon that was Beatlemania. With Scorsese’s Midas touch, the film hopes to appeal to both long-time fans and new generations alike.
It might be releasing in little over two weeks, but if you just can’t wait, here’s a clip of the Beatles landing in New York for the first time!
