Available on Blu-ray Disc (Region B)

USA/UK 2007 English (Colour); Musical/Drama/Romance/Fantasy/LGBTQ (Columbia/Revolution/Team Todd); 133 minutes (12 certificate)

Crew includes: Julie Taymor (Director); Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais (Screenwriters); Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Matthew Gross (Producers); Derek Dauchy, Rudd Simmons, Charles Newirth (Executive Producers); Bruno Delbonnel (Cinematographer); Mark Friedberg (Production Designer); Françoise Bonnot (Editor); Elliot Goldenthal (Composer)

Cast includes: Evan Rachel Wood (Lucy Carrigan), Jim Sturgess (Jude Feeny), Joe Anderson (Max Carrigan), Dana Fuchs (Sadie), Martin Luther McCoy (Jo-Jo), T.V. Carpio (Prudence); Joe Cocker (Bum, Pimp & Mad Hippie), Bono (Dr Robert), Eddie Izzard (Mr Kite), Salma Hayek (Singing Nurse)

Academy Award nomination: Costume Design (Albert Wolsky); Golden Globe nomination: Picture - Musical/Comedy

"All you need is love."

After jumping ship in the US, a Liverpool dockworker (Sturgess) befriends a college drop-out (Anderson), whose idealistic sister (Wood) he falls for, and is caught up in the anti-Vietnam War fervour, whilst struggling as an artist.

A kaleidoscopic, '60s-set jukebox musical written for the big screen (by the English creators of THE LIKELY LADS and PORRIDGE), inspired by over 30 Beatles compositions, the lyrics of which drive the plot forward more than the relatively sparse (spoken) dialogue.

Wonderfully dreamlike at times, colourful and dynamic, with well sung, nicely judged performances from the young, fresh leads, and fun musical cameos from Cocker, an American-accented Bono, Izzard, and (multiple) singing nurse Hayek.

Blu-ray Extras: Commentary, Featurettes, Deleted/Extended Scenes, Stills Gallery, Behind-the-Scenes Footage. ***½ (7/10)

Just opening the page I saw an outraged dad let down by the performance of this movie in his endeavour to convert his son to the music of his youth. So he gave it 1 star. This is not a masterpiece for sure from the point of view of script, directing or acting. With one exception for acting: Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite, but who would expect other than excellence from such a mature and gifted showman? But this not a bad movie and while I generally dislike musicals as genre, I find the rearrangements of songs and their insertion in the story quite inspired so I enjoyed watching it and waiting for those moments when Beatles musical genius takes over.

If you really want to know how it was in the '60's watch this movie... take it from someone who lived through it. It doesn't get more real than this.

The musical/theater additions may seem artificial but the songs were constantly in our heads and we truly 'lived' the music.

Well done Julie Taymore!