Keven's Blu-ray Review: THE BEATLES - Yellow Submarine

It's been 44 years since The Beatles' animated cult classic/acid trip Yellow Submarine debuted in 1968. The newly restored cut looks absolutely stunning in high-definition and features one of the best packages I've seen on Blu-ray.

The Film

I'm late to the party, but I haven't seen Yellow Submarine in it's entirety until watching the restored Blu-ray. The animated film which features The Beatles traveling to a fantasy world called 'Pepperland' in a flying yellow submarine to stop the evil Blue Meanies from ending love and peace. It's a trip. The one glaring issue is that the film will not likely appeal to children and I'm not sure it truly appeals to adults who aren't Beatles fans or just those who like to get high and watch the craziest imagery imaginable. The movie is essentially one giant animated art film that happens to be interjected with a flurry of amazing Beatles songs.

The story itself is ludicrous and creepy. The oldschool animation doesn't work quite as well during the dialog scenes but when the music kicks in, be prepared to have your mind blown. You don't have to be stoned to enjoy 'Yellow Submarine' because the film is so bizarre and beautiful that you can't help but get lost in this magical/terrifying fantasy world. Interesting note to those who aren't too familiar with the film – none of the actual members of The Beatles lend their own voices to the movie, aside from the soundtrack.

The packaging is absolutely stellar as well and features a companion booklet, stickers and best of all: four transparent telecine cards of each animated bandmember. You need to own this if you are a Beatles fan.

Special Features Breakdown

Audio Commentary - Heinz Edelmann (Art Director) and John Coates (Producer) take you behind the scenes and explore the fascinating world of Yellow Submarine. Interesting commentary track, but I prefer to watch the film without people talking over such a trip of a movie.

Mod Odyssey documentary - I wished the documentary were longer considering how crazy the movie is, but the near eight-minute piece was fascinating anyway.

Interviews - The interviews are all quite brief, clocking in around 2 minutes long but it was cool to see Paul Angelis (voice of Ringo and Chief Blue Meanie), John Clive (voice of John) and a couple animators and writer of the film reflect on the cult classic.

Other features include storyboard sequences, original drawings and behind-the-scenes photos.

The 1968 animated classic has been re-released for the first time in high-definition. Once upon a time… or maybe twice, there was an unearthly paradise called Pepperland, a place where happiness and music reigned supreme. But all that was threatened when the terrible Blue Meanies declared war and sent in their army led by a menacing Flying Glove to destroy all that was good. Enter John, Paul, George and Ringo to save the day! Armed with little more than their humour, songs, and of course, their yellow submarine, The Beatles tackle the rough seas ahead in an effort to bring down the evil forces of bluedom.