Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
An obscure Eastern cult that practices human sacrifice pursues Ringo after he unknowingly puts on a ceremonial ring (that, of course, won't come off). On top of that, a pair of mad scientists, members of Scotland Yard, and a beautiful but dead-eyed assassin all have their own plans for the Fab Four.
Help! is a colourful, energetic romp that benefits enormously from its widescreen colour photography and the sheer charisma of The Beatles, but it was already a step down from A Hard Day's Night in terms of freshness. The plot is deliberately thin and episodic — a MacGuffin chase used mainly to string together comic set-pieces and songs — and it never coheres into anything satisfying, including its rushed ending. The acting is amiable but largely one-note; The Beatles play exaggerated versions of themselves and the supporting cast chews scenery without real distinction. Cinematography is a genuine bright spot: Richard Lester and cinematographer David Watkin deliver inventive framing, vivid Eastmancolor locations (Alps, Bahamas, Salisbury Plain), and a playful visual energy. Novelty is moderate — the Bond-spoof structure and surreal gag style feel somewhat recycled from the band's own earlier work and contemporary comedies, though the overall package remains likable and distinctly mid-60s British.