The
Brian Epstein Story (1999)
This BBC documentary about the notorious manager of
the Fab Four, a man whom Paul McCartney calls "The Fifth
Beatle," is not quite as enlightening and detailed as
one might hope. Still, with a running time of well over
two hours and separated into two portions, the documentary
does expose us to much seemingly new or little known
information about Brian Epstein.
It's important to note that this seems to be one of
the first full-fledged documentary devoted to the man
who truly molded the greatest pop group of all time.
Two of the most important things to note about this
person is that he is Jewish and a homosexual. Epstein,
who influenced more of 60's culture than perhaps any
other single person, a man with his pulse on his own
"times," was gay.
Of course, the fact that he had to remain fairly closeted
and quiet about it to all but his immediate circle leads
to many dead ends in researching this aspect of his
life. No old boyfriends or gay associates pop up in
interviews in the film. A manservant does speak of a
few intimate details, all of which portray Epstein in
a rather sweet light, but this aspect of his life is
not quite the focus of this documentary.
This is a well-rounded look into the man behind the
band. There is quite a bit of interesting family history;
stories of Epstein's early wonts and his work in the
family owned retail store, where he garnered great success
as the manager of the record shop; and lots of insight
to how he "discovered" and nurtured the Beatles. But
even here there are holes. Glaring omissions in the
film include the Beatles signing with Capitol, the Beatles
getting started in films or any interview statements
with George Harrison or Ringo Starr.
Those interviewed who do share interesting details
and thoughts on Epstein in seemingly newly filmed segments
include Paul McCartney, Marianne Faithfull, Billy J.
Kramer and Gerry Lewis (of Gerry and the Pacemakers,
both of whom Epstein also managed, and George Martin.
In addition to old interviews with "The Boys" (as Eppie
called the Beatles), there are retro segments with Cilla
Black and much archive footage of the man being interviewed
himself. One of the most interesting of these is Epstein's
last recorded interview with Murray the K in America
where the manager seems highly drugged while talking
about Jimi Hendrix. Jude Law also adds voice to Epstein's
written words, narrating segments here featuring details
from Eppie's diary.
"The Brian Epstein Story" certainly isn't as chock-full
of details as I would like. Nor is it of particular
interest to all but the most devoted of Beatle fans.
But it is a nice primer on one of the most interesting
and influential people of pop culture which slightly
explores the fact that he was a gay, Jewish, and fastidious
man who died much too soon.
Notes:
Directed by Anthony Wall. The introductory logo for
"Arena" featured a piece from Brian Eno's "Music for
Films."
|
Report
Card
Content:
B+
Completeness: C-
Cinematography\Lighting: C
Special Effects\Make Up: B
Music: B+
Final
Grade: B-
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