The Beatles Anthology

This documentary traces how the Beatles grew from a Liverpool outfit to a global phenomenon, using a blend of rare archive footage, candid interviews, and the voices of the band and their collaborators. It rearranges the familiar story with fresh emphasis on friendships, tensions, and the forging of their distinctive sound. The film guides viewers through early clubs, the breakthrough albums, and the ongoing push to reinvent themselves, all while letting the music do the talking. With performance clips interwoven with reflective recollections from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and George Martin, the series paints a vivid portrait of a group that changed popular music forever.

Released in 1995 as a documentary project, The Beatles Anthology was directed by Bob Smeaton and produced with Apple Corps. It relies on the band's memories, along with a treasure trove of archival footage and performances.

Around the world the series reignited interest in the Beatles for decades of fans and new listeners alike. It offered a sense of immediacy by pairing old interviews with rare clips, underscoring the group's enduring influence and sparking fresh conversations about how the music shaped culture.

Critics welcomed the scope and access, noting a thoughtful balance between artistic ambition and personal dynamics. The show centers on collaboration, experimentation, and the evolution of the band's sound, while reminding viewers that behind the legend were four people dealing with fame, friendship, and creative drive.