I found this on the excellent 'Beatles Source' website:



Chazz has this to say:

"All you fans of The Savage Young Beatles will be pleased to know that the Best Of The Beatles DVD has finally been released. This release promises to be a must-have for any fan of The Beatles with Pete Best. I would say this is the best documentary of the 'savage young Beatles' era that I've seen. That's not to say it's great but it's very interesting. Regrettably, no actual Beatles music is featured. Some of the music is from the "Backbeat" soundtrack but much is rather generic. Bits of the Tony Sheridan recordings are included, too.

It's not as exciting as say "Anthology" but, based on my research, it's very detailed and accurate. Additional commentary includes Billy Harry, Alan Williams, Ken Brown, Klause Voormann, Cynthia Lennon, Neil Aspinall, Jurgen Vollmer, Gerry Marsden, Pauline Sutcliffe, Mike Smith (the Decca guy), Horst Fascher, Ray McFall, Rory Best, Tony Sheridan, Chas Newby, Andy White, Ken Townshend, Norman Smith among many others but my favorite is extensive commentary from Astrid Kirchherr. The bonus material even features an extensive conversation between Pete and Astrid inside The Kaiserkeller. Pete's commentary is quite frank, friendly and interesting.

You also get a nice dose of Pete's pre and post Beatles history, many film clips inside The Casbah and other very good location shots in Liverpool and Hamburg. You also get Pete's appearance on the old TV show, "What's My Line" in 1964.

The highlight of the documentary is the inclusion of the February 1962 Floral Hall film.

The documentary runs two hours with an hour of bonus material."

The DVD can be purchased here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi.....8?v=glance&s=dvd

If you haven't visited The Source before, you are missing a real treat - it is THE best site on the early Beatles! Here's the link: http://www.beatlesource.com/savage/main.html

cool, seems like a must-have

Sure does - I've just ordered my copy!!!

I'll be getting this. thanks for the heads up Al.

the floral hall film is the earliest vid of the beatles..and it lasts about 20 seconds.they are in leather and there is no sound....its a tragic thing that noone got something worthwhile,back then.....i may pass this one by how many times can they redo the beginning?i have the floral tape and so do you tk.....i am almost positive i will not buy this new snake oil version....

Yeah the Floral Hall and 'What's My Line' clips are nothing new (to some!) - but there is a ton of stuff there that hasn't been shown before. The list of interviewees is certainly impressive - Neil Aspinall, Pete Best and Astrid in the Kaiserkeller(!!), Mike Smith, Andy White!!! You don't see many interviews with them, do ya!!

This is really Pete Best's documentary and it takes you right up to date to Pete's legenday appearance at the Cavern last year... and I was there!!!  

No, I think this definitely IS going to be something a bit special - but I'll tell you all about it when it arrives!

Yeah, let us know Al, but like you, the interviews are what interests me. (especially Andy White although he probably wont have much to say)

What has the 'Decca Guy' got to say? It must be like that scene in the Rutles where Dan Ackroyd is playing the same guy, wheezing on a cigarette, and finally Eric Idol as the interview asks him "How does it feel to be such an a**hole?"

thanks for the link T.E tells when you get your copy! i might get one as well

Quoted from juniorsfarm

What has the 'Decca Guy' got to say? It must be like that scene in the Rutles where Dan Ackroyd is playing the same guy, wheezing on a cigarette, and finally Eric Idol as the interview asks him "How does it feel to be such an a**hole?"

LOL!!!!!

i wouldnt mind getting it, but to be honest im not that interested seems quite cool though

Quoted from lennonlegend

i wouldnt mind getting it, but to be honest im not that interested seems quite cool though

Ah, so it's decided then!!

Just got this today and have spent the past 2 hours watching it!

This is extremely enjoyable and a magnificent accompanyment to the Anthology series as it's shot and edited in a very similar style.

My only critism is that there is not enough music - I can't understand why the Beatles tracks that feature Pete are not allowed to be used - blame Apple? Without music, the interviews and recollections, whilst very fascinating, do seem overly long. But that's just a small criticism.

Watch it in hour-long bursts and you'll enjoy it more!

Haven't watched the extras yet though - that's another hour long!

Buy it!

i only got one question al..........do you like the little bit of pork in pork and beans????????
i will probally watch somebodys

What was the 'never before seen Beatles footage'?

Quoted from Bobber

What was the 'never before seen Beatles footage'?

Yeah, I wondered about that too - it was a bit mis-leading as it was The Beatles at the Floral Hall footage. Although I don't think this has ever been officially released, it's hardly new.

I'm surprised PC is so cynical given his love of the early years. If this is the little bit of pork in the beans pass me a cocktail stick - I'm hungry for more!

By the way, yes, the interview with the Decca guy was quite like The Rutles' version of events!! He was quite funny actually!