The Beatles - The Big Beat Box [2001] - Region 2 DVD

On the DVD and CD: The quality of reproduction reflects the limitations of the original footage, with no remastering. Black and White stills are mainly from the 1964 Ed Sullivan Show, while the detailed biography screens run from 1970-66. Given the amount of footage available, it would have been great to offer a second DVD of 1964-66 footage. The additional audio disc offers a soundtrack featuring Beatles covers from present-day bands, including the intriguing lost (?) Lennon song "In Spite of All the Danger", stylishly performed by The Overtures. Also on the CD are six Lennon & McCartney classics as mood-music instrumentals and although all songs are expertly performed, it lacks flair, and the instrumentals are no more than a curiosity. For those wanting just a documentary taster of Beatlemania on DVD, this is adequate--but any true Beatles fanatic will need something more comprehensive.--Richard Whitehouse