Watch Meeting the Beatles in India

In 1968, four young men who would become icons of the music industry made the journey to India in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Meeting the Beatles in India, a documentary directed by Paul Saltzman, follows their travels and explores the impact this spiritual adventure had on each member of the band. Narrated by the voice of Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman, the film takes viewers on a journey through India, showcasing the diverse landscapes, bustling cities and colorful people that the Beatles encountered during their trip. Lewis Lapham, former Harper's Magazine editor, acts as the interviewer in the film, guiding the audience through a series of interviews with people who knew the Beatles at the time.

With Jodi Lascar as the producer, Meeting the Beatles in India examines the role of transcendental meditation (TM) in the band's lives at the time. The film shows how the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of TM, would change the course of the Beatles' musical careers, making their music more meditative and introspective.

One of the key interviewees in this film is Pattie Boyd, the former wife of George Harrison. Boyd provides intimate insights into the artist's life and how his time in India changed him. Other interviews include renowned Indian musicians and music experts who explain how the Beatles' time in India influenced Indian music.

The film explores how India changed the Beatles, both personally and musically. It details the period when the Beatles and their entourage spent time at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in Rishikesh. It was during this period that the Beatles wrote a large portion of their legendary "White Album," which includes classics such as "Dear Prudence,' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Blackbird." The film showcases how the Beatles were influenced by Indian instruments like the sitar and the tabla, which can be heard in many of their later songs.

Meeting the Beatles in India is not just a film about the music of the Beatles. It is also a film about the cultural shift of the late 1960s and the impact of Eastern spirituality on Western society. It examines how the band's trip to India reflected a broader movement of spiritual exploration, consciousness expansion and the desire to break free from the constraints of traditional Western culture.

At its core, Meeting the Beatles in India is a portrait of four young men who became one of the most influential bands in history, and how a journey to a far-off land would shape the course of their lives forever. The film offers a candid look at the Beatles' personal lives, revealing how their trip to India altered their individual relationships, personalities and attitudes.

The documentary is shot in a combination of engaging interviews and expertly restored archival footage. By using color footage of the Beatles' trip, the film breathes new life into a period that has become iconic in rock and roll history. The music of the Beatles is, of course, front and center in the documentary. In addition to showcasing the songs that were written during their time in India, the film includes clips of the Beatles' performances in India and explores the way their music changed over the years.

Meeting the Beatles in India is a must-see for any fan of the Fab Four. It offers an insight into a crucial period of the band's history, their friendship and their creative process. It's an inspiring story of musical growth, spirituality, and adventure that is sure to engage audiences of all ages. The film reminds us that the Beatles were more than just songs and records; they were once adventurous young men on a quest for enlightenment. The legacy of their journey lives on today in the music and cultural changes they helped shape, and this film offers a beautifully crafted look into this period of their lives.

Meeting the Beatles in India is a documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.