 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Hard Day's Night
- Review Date: January 10, 2005
- G
- Genre: Classic
- 1964
Common Sense Media says
Beatles classic is Fab-ulous, but expect lots of smoking.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a great way to introduce kids to The Beatles -- or just enjoy their glory days together as a family. Aside from Paul's naughty grandfather, all that heavy smoking typical of the era, and some brief drug-related humor (that kids may miss entirely), there's very little iffy content here, so just focus on singing along with the soundtrack.
What's the story?
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT is a surrealistic day in the life of the most overwhelmingly popular rock group of all time. It studies the Fab Four through a typical 36 hours as they ostensibly try to get to the big show on time. Along the way are gags, character vignettes, and musical set pieces.
Is it any good?
The documentary-style of this movie masks its tight construction, clever script, and sublime anarchy second only to the Marx brothers. It portrays the Beatles sympathetically -- like the heroine of It Happened One Night, they are constantly told what to do and smothered by all they have.
Part of the humor of this movie is that it is not the members of the Beatles but Paul's grandfather who causes most of the trouble. Musical numbers include "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Should Have Known Better" as well as the title song, its title taken from Ringo's warped syntax after a long recording session.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about crazed Beatles fans. Are kids surprised to see teens react that way to a band? Are there stars or artists who draw the same reaction today? How has the Internet changed how fans react and communicate with their idols?
Families can also talk about all the smoking. Did it represent the same thing as their floppy hair did? How has smoking in the media changed since this movie came out? (Sad but worth mentioning -- George Harrison attributed the throat cancer that killed him in 2001 to his decades of heavy smoking.)
What did you think about the style of this rock band movie? Do they still make band movies like this today? Would you rather see your favorite bands have a little fun with their fame or make a serious documentary about their life and work?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
May 28, 2011
AGE
Awesome
It's a great movie with a greater band. What's not to love? Although at one point they mentioned something about an orgy.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
December 18, 2011
AGE
One of the best!
It's a hilarious film! It is in black and white, but that doesn't matter. It has quite a bit of smoking, but it hardly promotes it. A Hard Day's Night teaches kids a bit about what fame brings, so it could help them in that sense. A sly drug reference where John is 'sniffing coke' (he smells a Pepsi bottle) but I didn't even notice that until trusty old Youtube pointed that out. It comes just behind Yellow Submarine in my 'Top 5 movies of all time' list.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
June 20, 2011
AGE
Beatles are best
This movie is one of the best of all time! The Beatles are just naturally hilarious and the whole movie is about them just having fun together! Of course this is an old movie so they are shown smoking as it's perfectly ok. This only sexual thing is one part where they briefly mention orgies. All together it's a great movie.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
February 26, 2010
AGE
Amzing, of course
I really liked this movie although it is in black and white, and Paul's grandfather was very essential to the movie, his randomness just made you quirk a smile. Any Beatles fan will love it; but due to their similar looks (hair) children may be confused who is each person, so remind you child who is who while watching.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 13, 2011
AGE
Great Movie About A Great Band
This movie is great. There are many funny moments. There is also moments where The Beatles smoke, John acts like he's sniffing cocaine, and there is alcohol at parties. But the humor weighs out the bad stuff. This is a great movie of a legendary band.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 10, 2011
AGE
GREAT MOVIE!!
There's really nothing bad in this one. Just the Beatles being funny and having a great time. The only bad parts are that in the beginning, George lights a cigarette for Ringo in the beginning maybe some drug reference. Other than that a great film!
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Teen, 15 years old
February 8, 2011
AGE
perfect for everyoneeee
i absolutley LOVE the beatles and im 15.....its a great movie for anyone of any age, and has amazing music :D :D
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Parent
June 26, 2010
AGE
It's just the Beatles being silly. Nothing overt about drugs, that I saw.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Simply, One Of The Greats...
BEATLES! Yes, yes... One of the most influential, great films of the '60s. The only "iffy" bits were that they all run from the law (it's a misunderstanding), and near the beginning John is sniffing "coke." (This was a improvisation by him - he's sniffing a bottle of Pepsi.) The latter will probably go over kid's heads... Heck, it went over my head until my friend pointed it out. Also, the whole thing can kind of be seen as a commersial for Beatles, but that really isn't a problem as they don't really need commersials right now.
In closing, wonderful film. Very funny.
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Teen, 14 years old
June 25, 2011
AGE
Better than Help!
this is even beter than Help this is so funny only two scene of sexual behavior one John Lennon says to a bunch of girls i bet you cant guess what i was in for which sounds inaproprate and the grandfather of Paul goes to a club and then Paul says by now he's in the middle of some orgy and everyone of the beatles gets excited thats it other than that its A OK
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Richard Lester |
| Cast: | George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr |
| Genre: | Classic |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 11, 1964 |
| DVD release date: | September 24, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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