DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: MEETING THE BEATLES IN INDIA

 

4/5

Eight Days A Wait. 

79 Mins. Starring: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, David Lynch & Paul Saltzman. Narrator: Morgan Freeman. Director: Paul Saltzman. 

How long would you wait to have some time with The Beatles? Longer than 'Lord Of The Rings' director Peter Jackson's over eight-hour magnum-opus of a Beatles documentary, 'Get Back'? 'Eight Days A Week' like Ron Howard? Well, that's exactly how long kindly Canadian filmmaker Paul Saltzman waited, 'Meeting The Beatles In India'. The new documentary and the latest one that is much more than the Fab Four. 

Get back into this. Because this is beautiful and one of the greatest docs on the best band in the world. Saltzman returns to his spiritual retreat where he once met John, Paul, George and Ringo. Picture the scene. This Paul is a young man. Overcoming abuse and searching for a sense of purpose. He woke up one morning and his soul spoke to him. And what did it show and tell him? To walk a path. One that led to India. And when he got there, off a 500 buck payday (the flight was 550) hustle, pretending he worked in sound and then moonlighting to study it, he faced heartbreak. A dear John letter for Paul from his girlfriend, moving in with another man. He needed answers. So off he went to seek spiritual guidance. 

But, there was no room at this inn. Four boys from Liverpool were in town. Yet, Paul was in need of more than love. So he was willing to wait. Eight whole days. In a tent before his pilgrimage began in the beauty of meditation. And then all it took was just a few minutes. Walking outside, Saltzman came across a table of people that looked more than familiar. These faces were famous. Featuring Mia Farrow, a Beach Boy and four friends that get by with something you might be fondly familiar with. Lennon. McCartney. Harrison. Starr. A couple of jokes about Canadians and colonies later and a friendship was formed. More than four times over. Thief thick. Studying under Indian philosopher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, back in 1968, Paul became part of all this and photographed plenty of perfect portraits of the four. 

Ones that now have pride of place in The Beatles Story in Liverpool, with an exhibit that marks the anniversary of something that was over fifty years ago. But yet, still feels like yesterday. Meditating all their troubles far away. Now, when Paul is given a guided tour of the four's story on Albert Dock, he is moved to tears when he sees the white piano in dear John's room. And I don't need to imagine, I was the same. But from Liverpool to Tokyo, like a Lennon and Yoko exhibition, the mild-mannered Saltzman saw a yes when it came to actually bonding with the late, great Beatle. "The thing about love, is you always get another chance", John told Paul, like gospel (PREACH!). It helped Saltzman get over his stinging heartbreak. A few months later. John Lennon met Miss Ono too. 

Toronto, Canada, back to India, by way of Liverpool. What a way to go. From compelling conversations with his daughter (who was the catalyst of all of this) at the end of Route 66 on California's Santa Monica Pier. To the grace of 'My Sweet Lord' hearing Harrison meditate on the sitar, like father of Norah, Ravi Shankar. And from rifling through the 'Revolver' and 'White Album' classic vinyl in his garage. To listening like an iconic dog and gramophone to the HMV studios in New Delhi, where His Masters Voice heard some classic Beatles music, crossing over from Abbey Road like a zebra. Paul was even present when Paul McCartney was working on some of the words of an iconic song. But all he was a melody, still what a tune he carried. And what portraits the second Paul's camera painted. 

Animated like the amazing fond flashbacks (including an inspired look at Toronto's legendary vinyl fronted Sams Records)   and as beautiful as an Indian sunset like an Elton John song. This definitive documentary that reminisces on a moment of bliss over a wonderful week is narrated by who else but the voice of Morgan Freeman? It also features the belief of 'Twin Peaks' and original 'Dune' director David Lynch who has done amazing work with Paul and Ringo and is in awe of Saltzman's sweet memories and fellow pilgrimage. Beatles historians, film composers and even Bungalow Bill  (after hearing said song of his namesake, the only animals this former hunter shot were with his camera) himself all get together in a helter-skelter of a time capsule view on history like the epic gathering of THE iconic photograph that almost feels like a Sgt. Pepper for your lonely hearts club. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith once told us, "God, I love the sweet taste of India". But off the heat of his lens, Paul Saltzman gives us a visual and nostalgic feast. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Beatles-Get Back', 'The Beatles-Eight Days A Week', 'Yesterday'.