All This and World War II (Film): Beatles songs included.

All This and World War II (Film): Introduction

“All This and World War II” is a unique film released in 1976. It revolved around music by The Beatles. However, it only lasted around two weeks in cinemas after critics gave it a rough time. That wasn’t because of the music, but because of the idea as a whole.

Furthermore, all of the songs were cover versions by other famous artists. So, here are some key details about the film:

  • Title: All This and World War II
  • Release Date: November 11, 1976 (UK) and November 12, 1976 (US)
  • Genre: Documentary/Musical/Rock
  • Length: 88 minutes
  • Director: Susan Winslow
  • Producers: Sanford Lieberson & Martin J. Machat
  • Researcher: Tony Palmer
  • Music: Various artists covering The Beatles’ songs

The film is a blend of two distinct elements:

  1. Historical Footage: It features black-and-white archival footage from World War II. It also has footage courtesy of 20th Century-Fox films.
  2. Music: The soundtrack is composed of Beatles songs. However, they were cover versions by various artists popular in the 1970s. Details of the soundtrack album is featured below.

The film utilises clips from Nazi Germany army newsreels and other propaganda sources. Interestingly, it also includes a variety of other film clips featuring famous actors. Here is a list of those involved:

The film is based on music by The Beatles, but the producers saw another chance to make money on a soundtrack album. Because the film was a flop, the soundtrack album made more cash.

However, the film’s soundtrack is a significant aspect, featuring songs from Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Of course, that is the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership. They didn’t perform the songs, but other famous artists did. They include performances by artists such as:

All This and World War II (Film): Poster.
  • Critical Reception: The film received mixed to negative reviews upon its release. Indeed, it puzzled the critics with the juxtaposition of war footage and Beatles covers.
  • Box Office: It was not a commercial success but has largely remained a curiosity for film and music enthusiasts.
  • Cult Status: Over time, “All This and World War II” has garnered a cult following, particularly among Beatles fans and collectors of rare and obscure films.
  • Home Media: The film has been difficult to find on home media, though it occasionally surfaces at film festivals or special screenings. There are numerous bootlegs available, but the film has never had an official release for home use.

Researcher Tony Palmer also made “All My Loving” in 1968, which is the history of 1960s music. He also created a 17-part TV series, “All You Need Is Love: The Story of Popular Music.” So he knows his onions. Lately, he remade this film in 2016 as “The Beatles and World War II.”

The film attempts to juxtapose the horrors and gravity of World War II with the enduring and often optimistic music of The Beatles, creating a surreal and sometimes jarring viewing experience. It does not provide a traditional narrative but instead relies on the emotional and thematic resonance of the music with the historical images.

The “All This and World War II” film stands out as a peculiar cultural artifact from the 1970s, reflecting both the era’s fascination with The Beatles and the persistent impact of World War II on popular culture.

Although most people are oblivious to the film, it still has a cult following. This is despite the fact that the film has never been released in any form other than being shown at cinemas in the mid-1970s.

So, if you have seen the film, what do you think? You can comment below, but we also have a Beatles Forum as an alternative way to have your say.

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