YELLOW SUBMARINE

The films of The Beatles were rarely shown on cinemas in my city. I remember that there were a few occasions on which all the films they made (with the exception of "Magical Mustery Tour", which I only saw once in a cinema in 1981) were shown in "Beatles`s Films Festivals" in some cinemas and in the Cineteca Nacional, the Goverment`s institution dedicated to preserve films. One of those "festivals" was done in mid 1979, and I remember that I went to see the "Let It Be" film, and another "festival" was done in 1984, and I only saw the "A Hard Day`s Night" film in that occasion. But I never went to see the "Help!" and "Yellow Submarine" films (I can`t remember now why!).With almost all the films of the Beatles`available now on DVD (with the probable exception of "Let It Be") now it is not really needed to wait for those "festivals" anymore (and they are not organized anymore, I think). So, now I have this film in the DVD format.

This "Yellow Subamrine" film is very interesting, with very Psychedelic cartoons and story. I don`t know if this film is really appropiate for children, because it seems more like a "psychedelic dream", but with tales and films for children like "Alice in Wonderland" maybe this film is appropiate for them. In fact, it is considered more as a film for children than for adults.

The story, as a previous reviewer wrote, is about how the happy Pepperland town is invaded by the Blue Meanies, a group of characters who hate music and the happiness of other people. So, one of the good characters of Pepperland drives the Yellow Submarine to look for The Beatles`characters to help them fight the Blue Meanies with their music. In the end, The Beatles and the good people of Pepperland win over the Blue Meanies, fighting them with music and love. In the end the Blue Meanies are convinced by The Beatles and they also became "good citizens of Peperland". The Beatles themselves appear as real persons in the final scene singing "All Together Now".

The film is very enjoyable, not only for the story and the music, but also for the very good animated cartoons and the "Psychedelic Colours". Also the message of the story, "Love Conquers All", is very positive and very "Psychedelic Sixties" in meaning. I also think that music and love helps people to be happy in this world and to fight the negative moods caused by "the Blue Meanies" (problems of every day life and also caused by some real life "Mean Characters").