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A Hard Day's Night (G, 1964)

common sense media says

Beatles classic is Fab-ulous, but expect lots of smoking.

parents & educators say
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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.

Educational value: Sure to rope in new Beatles fans and teach kids about early rock 'n' roll and the influence of the band on every other that followed.
Positive messages: By keeping things light and silly, fame isn't ever taken too seriously here, despite all the screaming, running fans. A few nice messages in the love songs, like "Money Can't Buy Me Love."
Positive role models: The Fab Four scoff at some of their responsibilities -- answering fan mail can wait until after the party -- but come together in the end for the show. Paul's grandfather is a bit of a cad -- gambling, making bawdy jokes, trying to swindle women, running from the police -- but everyone remains respectful of him. Also, crazed female fans race after the Beatles and cry and scream in the concert hall.
Violence & scariness: Many fans trip while chasing The Beatles and some others look faint in the audience later. A car is stolen, a dove is squished in a man's sleeve, a woman falls down a hole and is immediately rescued, some running from the police and talk of the mean things they can do to prisoners.
Sexy stuff: A few bawdy jokes with a mention of an orgy and that Paul's grandpa is "sex obsessed."
Language: One "damn."
Consumerism: This movie is of course meant to sell the album as well. There are also brief glimpses of what looks like a Pepsi bottle and someone is reading a Mad magazine book.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Lots and lots of smoking by everyone. Brief drug-related humor (John pretends to snort cocaine from the top of his Pepsi bottle). Plus lots of drinking at a dance club.
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More on A Hard Day's Night

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • 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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Miramax
Director: Richard Lester
Cast: George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr
Genre: Classic
Run time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release: August 11, 1964
DVD release: September 24, 2002
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

OHBULLDAWG92
kid, 12 years old
8
 
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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HALO13
teen, 14 years old
5
 
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
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411connor
kid, 10 years old
7
 
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.
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StepMomSterToo
parent
12
 
It's just the Beatles being silly. Nothing overt about drugs, that I saw.
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sarah_soda
teen, 15 years old
8
 
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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GentlyWeepsAlong
teen, 18 years old
 
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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CatLover71
teen, 13 years old
7
 
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.
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HowISeeIt
kid, 13 years old
8
 
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.
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diary789
kid, 12 years old
8
 
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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thebeatlesgirl15
teen, 16 years old
9
 
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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WonderfulTonight
adult
6
 
LOVED THE MOVIE
LOVE THIS FILM! The Best Beatles film!!! A must watch! I loved the movie, music, humor, plot, and everything that there is to the movie. Shows George, Paul, Ringo, and John having a blast, breaking the rules, and having fun. GENIUS!
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super mello
teen, 17 years old
8
 
a must-see for all beatles lovers
i loved this movie! it was full of clever humor, and it was about the most awesome band ever. it made the beatles all seem really cute and childish, which was really fun. i thought it was a great movie for anyone who likes beatles music.
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howrselover
teen, 13 years old
7
 
kids won't get it
so good! The kids won't understand the drug stuff anyway, and there's only that one bit
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