Yellow Submarine (1968)

"Hello, there, blue people! Won't you join us? Hook up, and otherwise co-mingle? What do you say?"

Directors 
George Dunning

Animation Directors

Robert Balser
George Dunning
Jack Stokes

Live-action Directors

Dennis Abey
Al Brodax

Cast
John Clive - John Lennon
Geoffrey Hughes - Paul McCartney
Peter Batten - George Harrison 
Paul Angelis - The Narrator, Chief Blue Meanie, Ringo Starr

Dick Emery - Max, Lord Mayor, Jeremy Hillary Boob
Lance Percival - "Young/Old" Fred

Kiss lead singer, Gene Simmons, once said in an interview with Dan Rather that he didn't think there would be another Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, or Kiss. 

I agree, especially when it comes to the Beatles. They hit the rock scene when rock and roll was considered a mere dying fad. If the Beatles never formed, rock music would have most likely done just that - Die! 

They demonstrated singing and song-writing talent at the right time. Love them or hate them, there's no denying the Beatles had talent. No person or group can rise to such heights of popularity without talent. One might question the use of their talents, but that's another discussion for another time. 

I became a Beatles fan back around 6th or 7th grade when my music teacher, Mr. Yamasaki, played "I'll Cry Instead" from the album "A Hard Day's Night" during music class. That was enough to hook me. In fact, "A Hard Day's Night" was the first Beatles album I bought. I purchased it at a Borders Books and Music in Emeryville, Calif. about 30 years ago. Sadly, Borders isn't around anymore. 

As a fan of the Beatles, I admit I haven't seen the 1968 film "Yellow Submarine" in its entirety until now. The movie is based on the Beatles' song of the same name released on their seventh studio album "Revolver" in 1966.

I've seen their other movies - "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!" "Magical Mystery Tour," and their documentary "Let It Be." 

I wanted to review at least one Beatles movie on here, and "A Hard Day's Night" was the film I intended to write about. I also considered the largely criticized 1978 jukebox musical comedy "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" based on the Beatles' 1967 album. 

But I came across a copy of "Yellow Submarine" and that seemed to be an enticing option. It's animated, and I've never seen the whole film. So, why not? 

The story takes place in Pepperland where the residents all love music. Pepperland is home to none other than Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. What a perk that is! And I think Pepperland exists under the sea. 

On top of an Aztec-looking pyramid sits the Yellow Submarine. And on the outskirts exist a range of blue mountains. Beyond the mounts live the Blue Meanies - a group of unfriendly music-hating folks. They're led by the Chief Blue Meanie (voiced by Paul Angelis) who doesn't take 'yes' for an answer.  

One day, the Blue Meanies launch an attack on Pepperland by hurling bombs and apples (a reference to the Beatles then new company, Apple Corps) that turn the Pepperland residents into motionless blue statues. They also release their most dreaded weapon, the dreadful flying glove that smashes and crushes everything in its path. 

At the last minute, the Lord High Mayor of Pepperland (voiced by Dick Emery) sends Old Fred (voiced by Lance Percival) to find help. 

He jumps in the Yellow Submarine and travels to Liverpool where he finds Ringo Starr (also voiced by Paul Angelis), who's a bit sad as he wanders back to a building called "the Pier" which sits on top of a hill. 

Old Fred persuades him to return to Pepperland with him. Ringo agrees, but not before collecting his mates, John (John Clive), Paul (Geoffrey Hughes) and George (Peter Batten).

All the lads hop in the Yellow Submarine and travel back to Pepperland to defeat the Blue Meanies, going through all sorts of unique realms while singing the Beatles tune "All Together Now" along the way. 
I guess it's no revelation to say "Yellow Submarine" is a product of its time. No doubt the psychedelic fantastical imagery is allegorical to some extent of the social, political, cultural and religious climate of the day. One side (i.e. the Blue Meanies) surround themselves with negatives like the word "no" as well as a hatred of music. Meanwhile, the Beatles and all the inhabitants of Pepperland endorse positives like "love" and the word "yes." They're all superficial sentimentalities that the counterculture of the day thought would really show to powers-that-be a thing or two. Nothing much has changed in that regard. 

Nevertheless, the surreal whimsical fantasy story wasn't as difficult to get into as I originally thought it would. I wanted to see where the story goes. 

According to the book "The Beatles A Hard Day's Write" by Steve Turner, the song "Yellow Submarine" was written by Paul McCartney to be a children's song. 

"The idea of writing a children's song about different coloured [sic] submarines came into Paul's head as he was drifting into sleep," Turner writes. "This was to develop into 'Yellow Submarine,' the tale of a boy who listens to the tall stories of an old sailor about his exploits in the 'land of submarines' and decides to go sailing and see for himself." 

Turner points out that McCartney uses short words in the song lyrics so it can be learned quickly and sung easily by children.

"Yellow Submarine" was released on the B-side of their song "Eleanor Rigby" in 1966, the same year "Revolver" was released. 

Obviously. like other Beatles songs, rumors spread that "Yellow Submarine" is a reference to drug use.

According to Turner's book, McCartney denied these rumors stating, "the only submarine he knew that you could eat was a sugary sweet he'd come across in Greece while on holiday." He quotes McCartney as saying, "I knew 'Yellow Submarine' would get connotations, but it really was a children's song."

As for the movie, unfortunately, I couldn't understand much of the dialogue. A lot of it is spoken quickly and softly. 

It has a jukebox soundtrack which features various songs by the Beatles. "Hey Bulldog," "Nowhere Man," and "It's All Too Much" are three of my personal favorites from the film. 

Aside from the songs, the animation is what carries the movie. The style looks like a mix of Edward Gorey, Terry Gilliam and Dr. Seuss. It's simple yet ornate. It's especially impressive considering the smooth movements and almost 3-dimensional style it takes at times.  
The voice actors are well cast, especially Geoffrey Hughes as Paul McCartney and Paul Angelis as Ringo Starr. They sound like the respective Beatles their playing. But all the voice actors capture the inflections and mannerisms of each member of the Beatles. 

Though the message is a bit flowery for me, "Yellow Submarine" has a childlike innocence and is a fun movie to watch.