The footage lasts just over three minutes
Never-before-seen 8 mm candid film footage of The Beatles has surfaced, providing an intimate glimpse behind the curtain of their iconic movie, Help!’ The rare footage, lasting three minutes and seventeen seconds, is set to be auctioned by Boston-based RR Auction, as part of their Remarkable Rarities series.
The original black-and-white silent film, captured on May 3, 1965, during the filming of Help!, is a treasure trove from the personal archive of a member of the production crew or a possible friend of the Beatles. The footage, shot on location at Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, during the production of the “I Need You” sequence, captures the Fab Four in their natural, off-camera state, engaging with cast and crew, noodling on their instruments, and sharing light-hearted moments.
A standout moment in the footage sees John Lennon in a playful exchange with director Richard Lester, who later went on to helm two classic Superman movies in the 1980s.
Surrounded by extras portraying soldiers of the British Army’s 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, complete with tanks and weapons, the footage offers a unique perspective on the making of the “I Need You” sequence. In the movie’s plot, Ringo Starr is under Royal Artillery protection as the band mimes to the track near Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain.
The discovery of this ‘unseen footage’ is particularly remarkable given The Beatles’ status as one of the most documented bands in history. The film captures a moment in popular music history where the legendary quartet is not in the spotlight but enjoying the camaraderie of the film set.
“I’ve seen my fair share of rare Beatles artifacts, but this 8mm film is something special because it captures the sheer joy of the Fabs. It’s a cinematic time capsule that brings us closer to the Beatles in a way that photographs and interviews simply can’t,” states Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction.
The “I Need You” sequence, shot from May 3–5, 1965, is a key segment in Help!. The Beatles mimed the track in an outdoor recording studio, surrounded by armed soldiers, adding a unique flavor to the cinematic experience. George Harrison’s composition of “I Need You” about Pattie Boyd adds an extra layer of significance, as he would later marry her in January 1966.
Reflecting on the quality of Harrison’s song, producer George Martin remarked, “He has got something to say as a songwriter, and I hope he keeps it up.” Help! made its Royal World Premiere at the London Pavilion Theatre on July 29, 1965, and its soundtrack, released as the Beatles’ fifth studio album, includes timeless classics like “Help!,” “Ticket to Ride,” and “Yesterday.”
Although the Beatles initially had reservations about Help!, they later came to appreciate its influence. John Lennon, reflecting in 1980, acknowledged the film’s advanced nature and its impact on the development of music videos.
The remarkable discovery of this unseen footage aligns with RR Auction’s Remarkable Rarities series, featuring over 50 extraordinary historical items.
Among other notable items is an angry John Lennon letter to Paul and Linda McCartney. The intense letter discusses Yoko, Art, the Media, and Lennon’s Exit from the Beatles. Additionally, a Beatles signed 1963 program page and Dezo Hoffman’s classic Collarless Suits portrait are up for grabs in this exceptional auction event.
The Remarkable Rarities auction by RR Auction will conclude on February 22nd.
