Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert

Subject: How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin PBS
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 10:31 AM

Did anyone else watch this on PBS last night? It was really good. I had no idea of what was going on with the rebellious Russian youth in 1960s..how they embraced the Beatles music, defying the authorities to make bootleg records using taped performances from Radio Luxembourg, then scratching them onto xray films stolen from hospital trash bins. Here's the blurb about the show:

How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin

This is the unknown story of how the Beatles inspired a revolution that helped to destroy the communist system. Leslie Woodhead first met the Beatles in 1962 when he worked on a film in the Liverpool Cavern Club before the world had heard of the Fab Four. Twenty-five years later, when Woodhead began to make films in the Soviet Union, he became aware of how the Beatles legend had soaked into the lives of a generation of Soviet kids - even though they were barred from playing "Back in the USSR." Now he has been on a journey to meet the Soviet Beatles generation and to discover how the Fab Four changed their lives. Featuring a bizarre collection of Beatles tribute bands, the film tracks down the stories of how the Cold War was won with music as much as with nuclear missiles.

There's even one aficionado who has a club made to look like, and is named after, the Cavern. They were all so passionate, many of them still are, and their stories are heartwarming.

kat

Subject: RE: How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin PBS
From: Michael S
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 11:10 AM

This was a wonderful show. Before turning it on, I assumed it was a concert film that woud be interrupted as usual by fundraising. I didn't know that the Beatles never played Moscow, and the film explains why they didn't. The authorities didn't like the Beatles at all. People throughout the former Soviet Union formed a widespread "community," based on their shared love of forbidden Beatles music, and of course their love of freedom and art. Like Kat says, a wonderful film about the human spirit. PBS usually repeats things for a while, so watch for this one.

Michael Scully
Austin, TX

Subject: RE: How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin PBS
From: bobad
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 01:18 PM

Just watched the film online and agree that it is truly heartwarming and a testament to the power of music. The claim is made that the Beatles did more to bring about the end of Communism in the USSR than did Gorbachev and from hearing the people in the movie tell it, that just might be true.

It can be seen here.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR PBS -not a concert
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 04:33 PM

Talk about social activism! I am refreshing this for Crow Sister.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Beer
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 10:18 PM

Only 4 responses so far!! This thread should be refreshed every time it come close to the bottom. What a find Kat. And Bobad, I just finished watching the first part. Wow!, memories, memories, memories. Keep this thread going.
Adrien

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 11:19 PM

Thanks, Adrien! It really is something incredible, isn't it?!

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Beer
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 11:46 PM

Refresh
ad.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: open mike
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 08:36 AM

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2009m10d1-PBS-to-air-How-the-Beatles-Rocked-the-Kremlin-in-November

showing nov 9 - 20

This is the extraordinary and untold story of how the Beatles punctured the Iron Curtain. In August 1962, award-winning director Leslie Woodhead made a two-minute film, in Liverpool's Cavern Club, with a raw and unrecorded group of unknown rockers -- the Beatles. Twenty-five years later, while making a series of films in Russia, Woodhead learned just how powerful Beatlemania was in the Soviet Union. (CC, Stereo, HD)

http://www.pbs.org/

here is an earlier PBS show
http://www.pbs.org/previews/thebeatles/

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 03:27 PM

Just saw it last night-great film!

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 07:06 PM

I concur - a great programme that was fascinating to watch. the boys really did make one hell of an impact.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 10:29 PM

Thanks for the link bobad. Bit early still here in Dubai but it is the weekend now so will plug the laptop into the telly later today and watch all of it.
More Beatles stuff!! And in a week where I found a dvd of Wonderwall that I've been waiting to see since 68.
Al

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Neil D
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 01:43 AM

I saw this about a week ago and loved it. As Bobad said "The claim is made that the Beatles did more to bring about the end of   Communism in the USSR than did Gorbachev and from hearing the people in the movie tell it, that just might be true." I had already made a similar conjecture myself. I watch a lot of pundits jabber away about politics and there seems to be a general consensus among American wogs, even moderate ones, that Ronald Reagan was instrumental in bringing about the end of the Cold War. I've always liked to think that the change in Eastern Europe came more from within than from outside pressures and this reinforces that. There are many ways to look at the everchanging stream of history, but I think that if I had known in the mid 70's that a couple hundred thousand electric guitars a year were being manufactured in Soviet factories, as this documenatry claims, I could have easily predicted the demise of totalitarianism in Russia within the next couple decades.
   I also encourage everyone to see this film. Many of the interviews with the people who were secret Beatle fans in the early years got me choked up and I'm not even sure why. Maybe it was the steadfast bravery it takes to be a free spirit when that makes you a true outsider and ultimately, vindication, after so long a time.
I was especially touched by the old-timer outside a recent McCartney concert in the Ukraine who very emotionally stated "It's like a religious experience". Good call Katlaughing.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 09:14 AM

Bugger the video is withdrawn.

Al

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Beer
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 01:13 PM

Yes, I just noticed that as well.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 01:19 PM

Thanks, Neil, though I have to say NOT this wog vis a vis ...there seems to be a general consensus among American wogs, even moderate ones, that Ronald Reagan was instrumental in bringing about the end of the Cold War.**bg**

I was in tears and quite touched throughout and I do believe it was because of the courage, inventive spirit, and self-deprecating of the people interviewed. They were so modest seeming in what they wrought. IT was awesome!

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 02:45 PM

Excuse me whats "wog" ?

" though I have to say NOT this wog vis a vis".

It's just that in the UK the word is a really, really racist insult.

I always loved the beatles music and was an extra in "A hard day's night" when I was very much younger. I even got their autographs complete with Wilfred Brambell (Which my brothers sold after I'd left home!!) I think the whole world was touched by them irrespective of political attitude. They light a torch for the youth of the time which is still carried today. Shame the vid has been removed.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 02:49 PM

I wonder if Neil meant "wonk?" Thanks for pointing that out, EriktV. My apologies.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 02:54 PM

Somewhat confusingly - some time in the mid-sixties The Beatles allowed their photograph to grace the front page of 'Challenge' the monthly publication of The Young Communist League, boosting the sales figures beyond belief.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a conc
From: Stringsinger
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 06:34 PM

One man: Gorbachev. The Beatles helped, maybe.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a conc
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 07:58 PM

Let's not forget the influence of Frank Zappa and the Velvet Underground in Czechoslovakia.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a conc
From: Michael S
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 08:12 PM

No doubt the fall of oppression was due to a great many things, but don't slight art and music. Two relevant articles appeared in the New York Times recently.

Czechs' Velvet Revolution Paved by Plastic People

When Courageous Artists Ripped Holes in the Iron Curtain

Inspiring!

Michael Scully

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Beer
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 09:37 PM

Stringsinger,
for sure Gorbachev played a major part, but others contributed as well.
ad.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: robomatic
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 10:02 PM

I watched it. It was charming and harmless.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: Neil D
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 01:04 PM

I actually did mean wonk. I've never even heard the word "wog" here in the U.S. and have no idea what it means. I apologize if I inadvertently used an offensive word.

Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Nov 09 - 02:43 PM

Frank, have you seen the film? I think you'd be surprised at what an influence the Beatles' music had on folks behind the Iron Curtain. Yes, Gorbachev did a lot, but this was there, fomenting for a long time among the people...a grassroots thing Woody would have loved for its in-their-face subversiveness and the way the people just burst out of the bounds placed upon them. It is inspiring to watch, imo. I don't mean to slight Gorbachev. My youngest daughter was scheduled to go meet him in Russia when all things were changing, but the trip fell through. We were quite in support of him and glasnost at the time.