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These are loosely based on their film personalities. John Lennon is the wise guy, Paul is the charmer, Ringo is the dufus, and George is, well, he's in the band.
To create shenanigans, elderly but spry British television comic Wilfrid Brambell is added as Paul's cantankerous and troublemaking grandfather. Norman Rossington, who is all bark and no bite, is the band's manager, while dorky John Junkin is the publicity agent, or something like that. Victor Spinetti, a Lennon favorite who later appeared in Help! and "Magical Mystery Tour", plays a bombastic and easily flustered television producer.
How others will see it. A Hard Day's Night was well received. It even secured two Academy nominations, although none for The Beatles songs, which the generation gap considered to be for teens only. The success of the movie, relative to Help!, was probably because its plot, although thin, was close to home. The movie is about British culture as much as it is about the Beatles.
Thus, the film has two separate audiences, those who treasure The Beatles, and those who admire British comedies. It is possible to enjoy the movie for its humor alone. This is important since, after all, Beatles albums of the era are available in better fidelity elsewhere.
How I felt about it. Early in the movie, when the lads are on a train, you probably noticed an achingly cute blonde. She is featured during "I Should Have Known Better", sitting next to Paul. She is Pattie Boyd, at the time a young fashion model. She met George on the set and later married him. Eventually, they divorced, and she married Eric Clapton, who wrote "Layla" with her in mind.
Also on the train we meet Mr. Establishment, a businessman who regards The Beatles as bothersome cretins. As the businessman is mocked by the foursome, we are witnessing a change in culture, from the conservative old guard to something decidedly more fab. But even those adults aware of the upheaval in conventions are unable to understand it. This is demonstrated by an obnoxious clothes designer who mistakes George for a typical English youth. The culture change is also the focus of the press conference, where the boys face questions about their moptop hairstyles instead of the preternatural power of their two minute pop songs.
The songs selected for the soundtrack are a good mix of ballads and rockers. George and Ringo's turns as singers come only while dancing at a nightclub, while John (especially) and Paul dominate the remainder. Unfortunately, all are studio recordings, with the group lip synching even during their own concert. But there's no denying the immense quality of all the songs, and unlike the Elvis movies of the day, they are supported by clever gags and incisive quips.