FOUR LADS FROM LIVERPOOL SHOW IT’S NOT WEAK TO SHOW LOVE
By Ken Sheetz
Few cultural moments resonate as powerfully as the Beatles’ arrival in an America — a country grieving the tragic end of JFK’s Camelot only two months before — and the new documentary BEATLES ’64 masterfully captures their seismic impact and the release of a new love based era. Directed by Paul Crowder and produced by Martin Scorsese, the film takes viewers back to 1964, when John, Paul, George, and Ringo made their U.S. debut, transforming not just music but toxic masculinity.
As someone who was 12 when Beatlemania erupted, screaming teens and all,, watching this film was like stepping into a time machine. I vividly remember my mom’s reaction to the Beatles—especially Ringo Starr, whose mop-top hair and quirky persona unsettled her enough to make me promise never to grow my hair long. (Spoiler: I didn’t keep that promise.) What the film captures so well is how the Beatles’ charm, humor, and authenticity ultimately won over even their skeptics, including my mom.
One of the most fascinating themes the film explores is how the Beatles challenged traditional notions of masculinity. In a time when stoic machismo dominated cultural ideals, they brought something radically different. The documentary draws compelling contrasts between the Beatles and the “macho man” archetypes of the day, like Frank Sinatra and other leading figures. The Beatles weren’t afraid to show affection for one another, express vulnerability in their music, or embrace flamboyant fashion. They paved the way for a softer, more creative vision of masculinity, and it resonated deeply with a generation ready for change.
The rare behind-the-scenes footage is a standout feature, offering a glimpse of the Beatles as both global icons and four young men navigating an unprecedented whirlwind of fame. The film also shines in its recreation of the Ed Sullivan Show performance, viewed by over 73 million people—a cultural tipping point that cemented their place in history.
BEATLES ’64 doesn’t just celebrate the music—it illuminates the broader cultural transformation sparked by the Fab Four. Their rise to global superstardom wasn’t just about catchy tunes; it was about challenging norms, opening minds, and redefining what it means to be a man.
As I watched the show after post-Thanksgiving with my love Elizabeth — 8 years younger than me and so she had no firsthand memory of the Beatles blast-off — we both couldn’t help but think about how much today’s young men being programmed into embracing ball tanning and disrespect for women’s rights, could learn from the Beatles’ example today. They showed us how to reject toxic masculinity in favor of kindness, humor, creativity, and emotional vulnerability.
5 stars for BEATLES ’64 and the telling of 4 lovable lads from Liverpool and the healing their conscious raising music that brought America out of mourning.
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