Leave it to the Beatles to come up with a revolutionary new animation pop-art film to please the millions of fans who yearned for something new from the foursome in 1968- a year after their last concert. MGM Home Video has done s fantastic job restoring and enhancing this 1968 animated classic.

Pepperland is attacked by the Blue Meanies, who hate music. Young Fred sails away in a Yellow Submarine to find help. He finds himself in Liverpool, where he recruits the Beatles to come with him to help rid the land of the Blue Meanies. Along the way they meet a "Nowhere Man", Jeremy Hillary Boob, a curious creature with green fluffy body and a clown face. Once they reach Pepperland, the Beatles help launch a musical counter attack on the Meanies, with spectacular results. That's the plot but there is far more to this film than just this simplistic plot. Animation techniques using pop art ala Peter Max highlight this bizarre feast for the eyes, featuring Beatle songs, old and new in this incredible smorgasbord of color and light. Teapots have legs, psychedelic drawings come to life, and monsters smoke exploding cigars during musical numbers and the animation thoroughly assaults the senses, standing up to many repeat viewings. Its hard to comprehend it all. I have seen this film at least 15 times and always see something new. The script is witty and filled with smart English humor, filled with double meanings.

Picture-The restoration of the film is apparent as additional footage and an additional song are included in this disc. The animation never looked so clean-so clean in fact you can actually see the cell separation in some scenes. The additional number-cut from the American release is the John Lennon penned "Hey Bulldog" and is a three minute romp of bluesy rock as only he could sing it. It is a refreshing extra to this already loaded disc. It is not included as a deleted scene but actually inserted into the film, where it was shown originally for British audiences. The color and sharpness of the original film are all back for this disc with little dust or artifacts. Sound-The original soundtrack was remastered as Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, which did stir up some controversy. Some purists wanted the original soundtrack to be preserved only, which is offered in English mono. I thought the 5.1 mix was an enhancement and enjoyed the new mixes of the familiar songs I have loved for years. It's a refreshing change and doesn't detract from the original songs.

This disc is loaded. Besides the soundtrack remix, we are treated to full length commentary during the film by principles involved in the production, 3 storyboard presentations, a 1968 behind the scenes featurette called "The Mod Odyssey", original pencil sketches, behind the scenes still photography, comments from crew and vocal talents, the original trailer, and a music only track highlighting the film's score. I think the most touching extra was John Clive, who played John Lennon in the film, receiving a phone call from his young daughter the night John Lennon was killed, asking him if he was dead too.

All Beatle fans will enjoy this carefully restored and enhanced disc. All animation fans will rejoice at this masterpiece. The film is as charming and appealing as the real Beatles were, witty and humorous throughout. The disc is an excellent value considering the work that went into this DVD project. Put it on your gotta have list!