'''''Birth of the Beatles''''' is a 1979 American [[biographical film]], produced by [[Dick Clark Productions]] and directed by [[Richard Marquand]]. The film was released into cinemas worldwide, except in the United States, where itIt was shown as a [[TelevisonTelevision film|TV film]] on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in the United States, and received a theatrical release in other countries. The film focuses on the early history of [[the Beatles]]. It was released nine years after the Beatles disbanded, and is the only biographical film about the band to be released beforewhile [[Murderall offour Johnmembers Lennon|Johnwere Lennon was murdered]]alive. [[Pete Best]], the Beatles' original drummer, served as a technical advisor for the production.<ref name="O'Connor">O'Connor, John J. [http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1979/11/23/111119722.html?pageNumber=75 "TV Weekend: ABC Recounts Early Days of Beatles,"] ''New York Times'' (November 23, 1979).</ref>
