A Hard Day’s Night UK Press release

Finally, the press release for UK. Photo: Second Sight Films/Metrodome.

We know, this is our second post today about the UK version of “A Hard Day’s Night”, but after posting the first one we managed to get hold of the UK press release for the film:

‘Great band, great music, great film. Not only that, it remains a fascinating portrait of Britain on the cusp of change’**** Empire

‘A fascinating picture of this country in 1964, with the Beatles as our cheerfully anarchic heroes, leading us out of austerity-era Britain with its stuffiness and complacency’ The Guardian

‘A relentlessly entertaining film that is not only the best film to feature The Beatles, but one of the finest British comedies of all time’ Den of Geek

The year is 1964 and Beatlemania is in full swing. The biggest band on the planet are about to make their big screen debut. The film is A Hard Day’s Night, a seminal piece of filmmaking that shows The Beatles as they’ve never been seen before.

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary the film will be presented in a new 4k digital restoration approved by director Richard Lester, with three audio options -a monoaural soundtrack in addition to newly created stereo and 5.1 surround mixes supervised by sound producer Giles Martin at Abbey Road Studios. The film will be in cinemas from 4 July 2014 on video-on-demand and available to download from 4 July followed by a special edition DVD and Blu-ray release on 21 July 2014, courtesy of Second Sight Films.

A Hard Day’s Night will have an Extended Run at BFI Southbank from 4 July 2014, with a special preview and talk with Richard Lester on 3 July 2014. The UK theatrical release will be handled by Metrodome Distribution.

Director Richard Lester used his experience of working on television adverts combined with slapstick comedy, a nod to the French ‘New Wave’ movement and a documentary style, and alongside screenwriter Alun Owen created a unique and innovative film that went on to influence a whole generation of music videos and films.

A Hard Day’s Night follows a ‘typical’ day in the life of the Fab Four as they try to make it to their big show. As the title track roles we see John, Paul, George and Ringo mobbed by a group of fervent fans as they catch a train to London along with their manager Norm (Norman Rossington -The Longest Day), his assistant Shake (John Junkin -Hooray For Laughter) and Paul’s troublesome Grandfather (Wilfred Brambell -Steptoe and Son).

Aseries of hilarious escapades follow, with Grandfather bribing a butler for his clothes to go to a casino, Ringo leav­ing the band to go solo and ending up in a police station and John’s disagreements with a disgruntled TV producer (Victor Spinetti -Help). Will the boy’s make it in time for their big concert?

This is all set to a brilliant soundtrack of classic Beatles tracks including I Should Have Known Better, And I Love Her, Tell Me Why, If I Fell and Can’t Buy Me Love, and features a stand out supporting cast including comedienne Anna Quayle, cartoonist Bob Godfrey, TV host Robin Ray, dancer Lionel Blair, Harrison’s future wife Patti Boyd, and director Lester himself.

Bonus features: to be confirmed shortly

Title: A Hard Day’s Night

Theatrical and Download Release Date: 4 July 2014

Release Date Blu-ray and DVD: 21 July 2014

Blu-ray:

Audio: LPCM mono, stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio Cat No: 2NDBR4035, RRP: £19.99

DVD:

Audio: Mono, Dolby Digital 2.0 /5.1 Cat No: 2NDVD3266, RRP: £15.99

So, it seems the UK Blu-ray release will be a stand alone product and not bundled with the DVD like the USA edition.