Those who can, do. Those who can’t ... well, criticize those who can. That is what makes Tony Palmer’s All My Loving – a DVD collection of declarations about the Beatles –completely different than any of its peers.

Based on archival interview and performance footage from the young Beatles, it’s constructed around their historically impacting contemporaries like Jimi Hendrix, the Who and Pink Floyd. Testimonies from those who knew the volatile musical climate best, these political rock ’n’ roll superheroes gush personal stories from the peak of global revolution.

While many distinguish between early and late Beatles, declaring allegiance to the formative years of soul and Motown covers and Paul’s lovesick ballads, or to the psychedelic experimental rock phase of John’s colored glasses, this film covers it all. Though a mere 52 minutes, All My Loving does not attempt to tell a story of the Beatles, but rather capture a collective emotional state of music at the time.

With skies of blue, and seas of green...

Grade: B

All My Loving is currently available.