Help! (G, 1965)

common sense media says

Madcap, nonsensical romp with the Beatles.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is replete with playful fighting and slapstick violence, including some "don't try this at home" moments, like when George clings to the roof of a speeding car. There's more than a little bit of insensitive racial/religious stereotyping in the villains, a bunch of (mostly Anglo) actors playing robed cult fanatics from India, but just about all the characters are cartoon caricatures, including the Beatles themselves.

Positive messages: The Beatles are thoroughly laid-back and whimsical about their predicament, and always help out their mates. The cult members are politically incorrect racial stereotypes of Indians and Hindus, but most of the Anglo characters are exaggerated British types, too. The leading lady is a heroic rescuer-figure.
Violence & scariness: Lots and lots of playful roughhouse-fighting, even escalating up to combat with tanks. Ringo (and others) are threatened continually with human sacrifice via a nasty Bowie knife, yet no blood is shed.
Sexy stuff: One girl seen topless from the rear getting bathed. One background belly dancer.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Products and tourist destinations, many from yesteryear. Of course, the Beatles' music itself is a product.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Brief verbal reference to "happiness pills." Of course, parts of the movie are borderline "trippy."

More on Help!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the appeal of the Beatles as characters, then and now. Do you think this film nails it just as well as A Hard Day's Night or other Beatles features and documentaries? Do you think Help! has stood the test of time? In its daft style-over-substance plot and imagery, does Help! seem like the ancestor of the MTV music video?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The immortal rock-pop quartet the Beatles (John, Paul, George, and Ringo) star in this full-color, wild farce. It's never explained how, but drummer Ringo is the proud owner of a sacred giant ruby. A fanatical religious cult must sacrifice any human bearing the ring, and so they pursue the Beatles for most of the movie, setting bizarre traps in the Fab Four's gimmicky high-tech mansion, and even attacking them at safe havens like Buckingham Palace. Since the uncanny ring refuses to come off Ringo's finger, the lads consult a mad scientist. What do you know? He starts chasing Ringo as well, claiming that with the ring he and his doofus assistant can rule the world.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
From the same director, Richard Lester as the Beatles'pitch-perfect screen debut A Hard Day's Night, this is a far less realistic comedy about a band on the run, and the practically freeform plot, full of international-intrigue and "mod" vibes, typifies the James Bond 007 spoofs ubiquitous back then, maybe with a touch of embryonic Monty Python spirit. Of course, a handful of great Beatles songs on the soundtrack don't hurt either.

The plot has scant rhyme or reason, just a disconnected barrage of madcap pursuits and ambush episodes in scenic locations, with old-fashioned, random title cards ("Paul's Exciting Adventure on the Floor") in a childish narrative kids might actually follow better than adult viewers. A lot of the British-specific landmarks and topics -- references to the "brain drain" problem, and English Channel swimmers -- will go way over American viewers' heads, though.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Capitol
Director: Richard Lester
Cast: George Harrison, John Lennon, Leo McKern, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr
Genre: Musical
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: August 25, 1965
DVD release: November 6, 2007
MPAA Rating: G

This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

sarah_soda
teen, 15 years old
 
Really Amazing!
Yes; the scenario's are considerd 'crazy' and unrealistic; it is a very enjoyable movie for any Beatles fan. The comedy kept me laughing, especially as the Beatles do random things. Overall, very enjoyable!

 
Fantastic
If you're a Beatles fan, you'll love anything Beatles. This is a really fun movie. It's just a blast of fun, and adventure, with the four mop tops from Liverpool. Amazing music, funny, and a must watch!

 
Meet the Beatles
The Fab Four are in their prime, the songs terrific and catchy and the whole endeavor is quite simply fun. There isn't much to the plot, but that doesn't matter given all the other things this film has to offer.

HALO13
teen, 14 years old
 
STOP WORYING HELP! IS ON THE WAY!
The film is good just so others know in the film there is a religion that sacrifices people and you have to wear a ring to be sacrificed and Ringo has the ring in scenes he is threatend once by a chainsaw so if you dont like scene where people are being threatend by tools such as a chainsaw then watchout for that scene.

Luna Lovegood
teen, 15 years old
 
I love it, best movie of all time, especially if you like the Beatles.

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