Series synopsis
The 60s: The Beatles Decade is a British documentary television series that premiered on August 21, 2008. It ended on September 18, 2008. It stars Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon.
When people are asked to think about the 1960s, they automatically think love, peace and...The Beatles. Over the decade, the Fab Four changed from cheeky pop mop-heads to blissed-out experimentalists, and this transformation mirrored the country as a whole. This five-part documentary series looks at how the world's most famous pop group personified one of the most explosive and volatile decades of the 20th century. Although the 60s generation had it all, a changing political landscape and changi ...
Premise
When people are asked to think about the 1960s, they automatically think love, peace and...The Beatles. Over the decade, the Fab Four changed from cheeky pop mop-heads to blissed-out experimentalists, and this transformation mirrored the country as a whole. This five-part documentary series looks at how the world's most famous pop group personified one of the most explosive and volatile decades of the 20th century. Although the 60s generation had it all, a changing political landscape and changing attitudes to sex and relationships were dragging Britain into a new age. By the end of the decade, The Beatles had split up, proving that the band's personalities and their music had become true symbols of an iconic decade.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 5 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 5 | August 21, 2008 | September 18, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Teenage Rebels 1960-1962 The Beatles' decade began in Liverpool in July 1957 when 16 year old John Lennon and 15 year old Paul McCartney met. This chance encounter produced one of the most important musical partnerships of the 20th Century. They listened to American artists and hung out in the Jacaranda coffee bar. They were part of a new breed of 'teenagers' who benefited from their parents increasing affluence. Fashion was changing too, and Mary Quant designed youthful and colourful dresses. In America, youth was winning too, and Kennedy was elected President. The Beatles went to Hamburg in 1960 and it was there they discovered freedom, sexual freedom. It was during this time that the Cuba Missile Crisis posed a great threat to world peace and for a while the world waited to see if peace would be shattered. Working class writers and actors started to emerge along with the Beatles. Everything was changing. Music, consumer goods, fashion - the sixties generation really did seem to have it all. |
August 21, 2008 |
| 2 |
Sex, Spies and Rock and Roll 1962-1964 In Liverpool in 1962 the Beatles caused a sensation at the Cavern Club. They had only one single to their name. But a fateful meeting with Brian Epstein was to help them top the charts. Epstein changed their image from the American biker look and soon realised the sixties was the selling decade. Youth was all the rage and the old Tory Prime Minister Harold McMillan seemed out of step with the times. The Profumo sex scandal nailed the Tories and before long Harold Wilson's Labour government took power. The age of deference had passed and the Beatles played up their cheeky persona. As 'Beatlemania' was exported around the world, it embodied the optimism and national pride which had infected Britain. By the end of 1964 Britain had shifted into a modern age. The Beatles success was evidence that a more meritocratic society had arrived and class barriers had fallen. |
August 28, 2008 |
| 3 |
Swinging Britain 1965-1966 By 1965 the cultural renaissance of Britain was in full swing and the Beatles embodied the feeling of optimism. Having won over the British public the Beatles were ready to take on the world. The new fashion labels like Biba, new faces like Twiggy and hair dressers like Vidal Sassoon were an important ingredient in the Swinging London explosion. However, the economy was in a terrible state Harold Wilson had inherited huge debts and done little to stem the problem. And The Beatles lives as superstars had turned into a living hell by 1966. |
September 4, 2008 |
Production
Release
| First aired | August 21, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Last aired | September 18, 2008 |
| Status | Ended |