Beatles Anthology

Directed by: Geoff Wonfor

RS: 4of 4 Stars

Four originally aired slightly truncated on ABC in 1995 and was issued as an eight-video box set a year later. Now compiled on four DVDs, with a fifth disc of bonus material, this telling of the Beatles saga contains frank interviews with the then-living principals, rare TV-performance footage and, of course, some of the greatest music of the twentieth century.

A minor production drawback on this digital re-release, however, is the lack of song-specific chapter divisions, forcing an adeptness on the fast-forward button if you want to get to the musical meat. But there's scant need to skip around on Disc Five, as all your attention will be fixed on the previously unreleased '94 footage of the then-remaining Threetles jamming merrily to the oldies on acoustic guitars and ukuleles -- a truly alchemical musical reunion unencumbered by lingering animosities or Jeff Lynne's production.

GAYLORD FIELDS
(March 25, 2003)