1999 Yellow Submarine EPKs

The first restoration of “Yellow Submarine” was done in 1999, when the film cells were painstakingly restored, faded colours recoloured, the sound was stereo remixed and the first surround sound mix was made. The three remaining Beatles were interviewed for the re-release (on DVD and VHS), resulting in several EPKs (Electronic Press Kits) distributed to TV stations. VH-1 made a TV programme from these EPKs. In 2018, The Beatles’ official YouTube channel have released short clips from these 1999 interviews, but here is the VH-1 Special.

And here are the official clips from 2018:

Electronic Press Kits

As mentioned above, prior to the release of the DVD and the new Songtrack CD in 1999, six Electronic Press Kits were issued as promotional products and two featurettes were released for TV broadcast featuring all-new interview footage of the fab three talking about Yellow Submarine. All featured clips from the renovated movie in a 4.3 aspect ratio. The EPKs have a selectable narration track with a voiceover by comedian Nick Hancock. Paul, Ringo & George were all interviewed separately for the Yellow Sub promotion and snippets of the interviews are spread throughout the different EPKs;

Hey Bulldog EPK – Much was made of this song’s inclusion in the film and on the Songtrack. In between the Anthology DVDs and the Yellow Submarine re-release footage was uncovered of The Beatles in Studio 3 of Abbey Road recording Hey Bulldog. Parts of the footage were used in the promotional film for Lady Madonna but when the original reels were viewed again it was discovered that almost the whole of Hey Bulldog had been captured on celluloid. From these reels a new ‘video’ was made for Hey Bulldog and released with the new stereo mix of the song from the Songtrack CD. Also on this EPK is some brief interview footage relating to the song.

Yellow Submarine Songtrack EPK – Paul, George and Ringo chat about the new mixes of ‘Yellow Submarine’, ‘Hey Bulldog’, ‘Eleanor Rigby’, ‘Love You To’ and ‘All You Need Is Love’. Also five preview clips from the upcoming DVD: All You Need Is Love, Meanies Attack, Hey Bulldog, Sea of Monsters & Sea of Holes. Also includes 44 second Mod Odyssey clip and a preview of the packaging for the upcoming releases.

Yellow Submarine Returns EPK – Paul, George and Ringo chat about the renovation of the sounds and pictures, Blue Meanies, their animated portrayals and the songs. Also includes 44 second Mod Odyssey clip and a preview of the packaging for the upcoming releases.

The Making Of Yellow Submarine EPK – A 6 and a half minute featurette with further interview footage of Paul, Ringo and George, Heinz Edelmann, Roger McGough, Paul Angelis, Peter Cobbin and Bruce Markoe. Brief behind-the-scenes footage.

The Yellow Submarine Collection EPK – 2:30 clip regarding the merchandising tie-ins.

For Kids Of All Ages EPK – 3 minute film featuring the reaction to the film of some Liverpool school kids and further interview footage with Paul, George and Ringo.

The EPKs were originally distributed on video cassettes, but are available on a bootleg DVD from the Yellow Cow label,”Yellow Submarine, The Complete 1999 EPKs” Total time: 34:26, but some footage is repeated on several of the EPKs.

Yesterday, The official Beatles YouTube channel uploaded the 1999 special stereo remixed “Yellow Submarine Songtrack” as a playlist. If you haven’t heard these remixes, now is the time to get that headset on and hit play!

For info about the contents of the various EPKs, thanks goes to Fab4art.com