Why Magical Mystery Tour was considered The Beatles' Boxing Day flop

25 December, 2024 - 0 Comments

"Rubbish", "boring" and "appalling": just three of the word used to describe the Fab Four's self-produced TV movie, which aired on Boxing Day 1967. But why did the film get that sort of reaction?

The Daily Mirror called it "rubbish". The Daily Express said it was "boring". The Daily Mail's TV critic said it was "appalling". This was The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour - a one-hour film made for television that went out on Boxing Day 1967, a mere six moths after the Fab Four had stunned the world with their masterful album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

These days, Paul McCartney, who was the main driving force behind the production, claims it was a huge influence on film students and the whole "road movie" genre. At the time, Magical Mystery Tour - which was released in the immediate aftermath of the death of Beatles manager Brian Epstein - was a new experience for the group. It was a rare misfire.
The Beatles in costume for for the I Am The Walrus segment of Magical Mystery Tour. Paul is the hippo, George is the rabbit, Ringo is the parrot and John, of course, is the walrus.
The Beatles in costume for for the I Am The Walrus segment of Magical Mystery Tour. Paul is the hippo, George is the rabbit, Ringo is the parrot and John, of course, is the walrus. Picture: Alamy

Source: Martin O'Gorman/radiox.co.uk

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