Yellow Submarine Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

The Beatles take a psychedelic trip in a yellow submarine to fight grumpy blue guys who hate music; sounds about right for the ’60s.

🍿 Yellow Submarine: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Pepperland Under Attack

The film opens in Pepperland, a vibrant and musical paradise located deep beneath the sea. This idyllic world is suddenly threatened by the Blue Meanies, creatures who despise music and happiness. They launch an attack, freezing Pepperland’s inhabitants and draining the color from the land.

The Yellow Submarine’s Mission

To save Pepperland, Old Fred, a Pepperland resident, escapes in the Yellow Submarine, embarking on a mission to find help. His journey takes him to Liverpool, England, where he encounters Ringo Starr, one of the Beatles. Fred pleads with Ringo to help him save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies and restore its music and happiness.

Recruiting The Beatles

Ringo agrees to help and recruits the other members of The Beatles – John, George, and Paul. The Beatles embark on a psychedelic journey back to Pepperland in the Yellow Submarine. Along the way, they travel through various surreal and imaginative seas, each with its unique characteristics and challenges.

Encountering Jeremy Hillary Boob

During their travels, the Beatles encounter Jeremy Hillary Boob, Ph.D., a quirky and intellectual ‘Nowhere Man.’ They invite Jeremy to join them on their quest, and he becomes an essential part of their team, offering his unique perspective and intelligence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Lennon (John Clive): The witty and often philosophical member of The Beatles, voiced by John Clive, who helps save Pepperland.
• Paul McCartney (Geoffrey Hughes): The charming and musically talented member of The Beatles, voiced by Geoffrey Hughes, who joins the adventure to Pepperland.
• George Harrison (George Harrison): The spiritually inclined member of The Beatles, voiced by George Harrison, who offers insightful commentary during their journey.
• Ringo Starr (Paul Angelis): The lovable and somewhat hapless drummer of The Beatles, voiced by Paul Angelis, who provides comedic relief and accidental solutions.
• Old Fred (Lance Percival): The Pepperland resident and captain of the Yellow Submarine who seeks help from The Beatles.
• Jeremy Hillary Boob, Ph.D. (Dick Emery): A peculiar and intellectual ‘Nowhere Man’ who joins The Beatles on their journey and aids in defeating the Blue Meanies.
• Chief Blue Meanie (N/A): The leader of the music-hating Blue Meanies who attempts to destroy Pepperland and its joyful atmosphere.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ringo: “Can’t help it. I’m a born ‘Liver-pooler.’” – After being told not to pull a lever, Ringo jokes about his Liverpudlian nature as he does it anyway.
• George: “It’s all in the mind, y’know.” – George’s typical philosophical response when found meditating atop a mountain.
• Jeremy Hillary Boob, Ph.D.: “Nowhere Man sitting in his Nowhere Land, making all his Nowhere plans for nobody.” – Jeremy describes his own existence before being invited aboard the Yellow Submarine.
• John: “Newer and bluer Meanies have been sighted recently near this theatre! There’s only one thing to do…” – Said during the live-action segment at the end, directly addressing the audience and leading into ‘All Together Now’.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £250,000
• Domestic Gross: $992,305
• Worldwide Gross: $1,273,261

💥 Yellow Submarine Reviews

Personal Review

Oh man, Yellow Submarine! It’s like diving headfirst into a kaleidoscope. The colors, the music, the sheer absurdity of it all – it’s just pure Beatles magic. I remember watching it as a kid and being totally blown away by the ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ sequence. I felt like I was floating through another dimension! The humor is so clever and the message of love and unity is so timeless. I also really loved how they used different animation styles to match the mood of each song. The ‘Eleanor Rigby’ sequence in black and white was surprisingly moving. This movie isn’t just a visual treat, it touches your soul. Every time I watch it, I feel like I’m rediscovering something new and wonderful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Beatles fans”
  • “Fans of psychedelic animation”
  • “Families looking for a fun and colorful film”
  • “Those interested in 1960s pop culture”
  • “Anyone seeking a visually creative and unique movie experience”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some psychedelic imagery may be intense for very young children.”
  • “Mild cartoon violence.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Visually stunning and aurally captivating, Yellow Submarine is a psychedelic masterpiece that transcends generations. The Beatles’ music, coupled with vibrant animation, creates an unforgettable cinematic experience, celebrating love, music, and unity in a world that desperately needs it.
• The Guardian: “A groundbreaking animated film that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the ’60s. Its charm lies in the seamless blend of The Beatles’ iconic music and the film’s whimsical, surreal imagery. The film’s vibrant colors and imaginative design are still fresh and enchanting.
• Rolling Stone: “Yellow Submarine is more than just a movie; it’s a cultural artifact. A time capsule capturing the essence of The Beatles’ era. Its blend of music, humor, and psychedelic visuals creates a timeless piece of art that continues to inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.

Audience Reactions

The music and visuals are captivating and timeless, appealing to both children and adults.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s vibrant animation, iconic music, and positive message of love and unity.

The ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ sequence is a standout, praised for its psychedelic imagery and captivating animation.: Many viewers were moved by the film’s creative integration of music and visuals, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience.

Overall Consensus: Yellow Submarine is a beloved animated classic that perfectly blends The Beatles’ iconic music with imaginative, psychedelic visuals. It remains a timeless film cherished for its positive message and enduring charm.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “German artist Heinz Edelmann’s initial sketches of villainous characters, created during a period of script inactivity, became the basis for the Blue Meanies, Apple Bonkers, and The Glove.”
• “Heinz Edelmann cultivated a style of ‘visual overload’ to compensate for plot holes and maintain viewer engagement.”
• “The Beatles themselves were initially unenthusiastic about the film, viewing it as a way to fulfill a contractual obligation with minimal involvement. They were pleasantly surprised by the final product.”
• “The ‘Hey Bulldog’ sequence was omitted from the original U.S. release for reasons unknown.”

🖥️ How to Watch Yellow Submarine?

Yellow Submarine is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for potential broadcast schedules. While it’s not always available on subscription streaming services, keep an eye out on platforms like Paramount+ as availability can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Yellow Submarine, you might like these similar films:

• Alice in Wonderland (1951): Shares a similar sense of surreal and whimsical adventure with bizarre characters and dreamlike sequences.
• A Hard Day’s Night (1964): Features The Beatles in a comedic and musical adventure, showcasing their personalities and music.
• Fantasia (1940): A ground-breaking animated film that blends classical music with imaginative visuals, much like Yellow Submarine blends Beatles music with psychedelic animation.
• Across the Universe (2007): A jukebox musical featuring Beatles songs and a love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s, capturing a similar sense of the era’s music and culture.

🛒 Yellow Submarine Related Products

• The Beatles – Yellow Submarine [Blu-ray]: Experience The Beatles’ animated classic in stunning high definition with restored visuals and remastered audio. The Blu-ray includes bonus features, offering a deeper dive into the making of this iconic film.
• The Beatles Yellow Submarine Lego Ideas Set: Build your own Yellow Submarine with this detailed Lego set. A perfect display piece for any Beatles fan, featuring minifigures of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
• Yellow Submarine: The Beatles’ Graphic Novel: Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Pepperland with this beautifully illustrated graphic novel adaptation of the movie. Relive the adventure through stunning artwork and engaging storytelling.
• The Beatles Yellow Submarine T-Shirt: Show off your love for The Beatles with this stylish Yellow Submarine t-shirt. Made from high-quality cotton, this shirt features a classic design inspired by the movie’s iconic imagery.

🎧 Soundtrack

Yellow Submarine features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Yellow Submarine” – performed by The Beatles
• “All You Need Is Love” – performed by The Beatles
• “Eleanor Rigby” – performed by The Beatles
• “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” – performed by The Beatles
• “Hey Bulldog” – performed by The Beatles

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Beatles VH1 Special Yellow Submarine Interviews Paul, George and Ringo 9/19/99

Ever wondered what the Beatles themselves thought about Yellow Submarine? This VH1 special features rare interviews with Paul, George, and Ringo talking about the film’s re-release – it’s a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes!

The Story Behind The Beatles’ “Hey Bulldog”

Think ‘Hey Bulldog’ is just another Beatles song? Think again! This video dives deep into the history of the song and how it became a fan favorite featured in Yellow Submarine. You won’t believe the story behind it!

Yellow Submarine CGI (2010) 4K

Did you know there was a CGI remake of Yellow Submarine planned? This short clip gives you a sneak peek at what could have been! It’s a real shame it got cancelled because the visuals are stunning.

Ringo Starr, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots Sing “Yellow Submarine” (Classroom Instruments)

Ready for some feel-good vibes? Check out Ringo Starr joining Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for a hilarious rendition of “Yellow Submarine” using classroom instruments! It’s impossible not to smile watching this.

✨ Rate