|
10 Nov 09 - 10:31 AM (#2763438) Subject: How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin PBS From: katlaughing 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 |
|
10 Nov 09 - 11:10 AM (#2763464) Subject: RE: How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin PBS From: Michael S 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 |
|
10 Nov 09 - 01:18 PM (#2763567) Subject: RE: How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin PBS From: bobad 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. |
|
10 Nov 09 - 04:33 PM (#2763705) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR PBS -not a concert From: katlaughing Talk about social activism! I am refreshing this for Crow Sister. |
|
10 Nov 09 - 10:18 PM (#2763877) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Beer 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 |
|
10 Nov 09 - 11:19 PM (#2763891) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: katlaughing Thanks, Adrien! It really is something incredible, isn't it?! |
|
11 Nov 09 - 11:46 PM (#2764558) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Beer Refresh ad. |
|
12 Nov 09 - 08:36 AM (#2764703) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: open mike 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/ |
|
19 Nov 09 - 03:27 PM (#2769368) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: GUEST Just saw it last night-great film! |
|
19 Nov 09 - 07:06 PM (#2769485) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: jacqui.c I concur - a great programme that was fascinating to watch. the boys really did make one hell of an impact. |
|
19 Nov 09 - 10:29 PM (#2769574) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Abdul The Bul Bul 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 |
|
20 Nov 09 - 01:43 AM (#2769624) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Neil D 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. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 09:14 AM (#2769781) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Abdul The Bul Bul Bugger the video is withdrawn. Al |
|
20 Nov 09 - 01:13 PM (#2769903) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Beer Yes, I just noticed that as well. Ad. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 01:19 PM (#2769908) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: katlaughing 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! |
|
20 Nov 09 - 02:45 PM (#2769987) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Eric the Viking 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. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 02:49 PM (#2769989) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: katlaughing I wonder if Neil meant "wonk?" Thanks for pointing that out, EriktV. My apologies. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 02:54 PM (#2769996) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Jim Carroll 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 |
|
20 Nov 09 - 06:34 PM (#2770135) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a conc From: Stringsinger One man: Gorbachev. The Beatles helped, maybe. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 07:58 PM (#2770172) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a conc From: Peter T. Let's not forget the influence of Frank Zappa and the Velvet Underground in Czechoslovakia. yours, Peter T. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 08:12 PM (#2770186) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a conc From: Michael S 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 |
|
20 Nov 09 - 09:37 PM (#2770216) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Beer Stringsinger, for sure Gorbachev played a major part, but others contributed as well. ad. |
|
20 Nov 09 - 10:02 PM (#2770229) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: robomatic I watched it. It was charming and harmless. |
|
21 Nov 09 - 01:04 PM (#2770582) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: Neil D 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. |
|
21 Nov 09 - 02:43 PM (#2770652) Subject: RE: Beatles brought down the USSR- PBS -not a concert From: katlaughing 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. |