A Complete Unknown depicts many famous names, but it could’ve also included The Beatles if the narrative didn’t skip over a major Bob Dylan moment. The 2024 biopic spans from 1961 to 1965, ending with Bob Dylan’s famous electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Although the movie focuses on Bob Dylan as a lead character, the story gives just as much time to other real-life people in A Complete Unknown.
In the director’s commentary, James Mangold explains that he does this because he wants the audience to understand the character through his interactions with and impact on others, taking inspiration from the musical biopic Amadeus. Despite featuring someone as big-name as Johnny Cash, the movie chooses not to include The Beatles, even though they had the perfect opportunity. One of the details that A Complete Unknown leaves out from Bob Dylan’s life is a significant event from 1964 that included the rock band.
Bob Dylan & The Beatles Met For The First Time In 1964
Bob Dylan Got The Beatles High On Cannabis The First Time They Met
In the director’s commentary for A Complete Unknown, James Mangold said he tried to avoid dates, facts, and introductions when putting the film together. This could’ve been a contributing factor in the biopic, leaving out an important moment in the early 1960s – Bob Dylan meeting The Beatles. They met for the first time on August 28, 1964. A journalist named Al Aronowitz, a mutual friend of the musicians, set up the meeting at The Beatles’ request, scheduling it for after their concert at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens.
Dylan arrived at the Delmonica H๏τel on Park Avenue and 59th Avenue with his road manager, Victor Maymudes. Depending on the source, Dylan either brought the cannabis himself or they arranged for someone to bring it. According to Ringo Starr’s Conan O’Brien interview, this is the first time the members of The Beatles ever used cannabis. Ringo tried it first, and then everyone partook. According to The Guardian, Paul McCartney had a crew member write down his thoughts, believing he understood the meaning of life for the first time. Ringo said they “got high and laughed our a*ses off.”
Why Bob Dylan And The Beatles Meeting Is A Major Moment In Rock ‘n’ Roll History
Bob Dylan & The Beatles Changed Their Music Style And Lyricism After Meeting
Bob Dylan and The Beatles meeting for the first time is considered by many to be a significant moment in rock ‘n’ roll history. These musicians are considered some of the most prolific, and their music defined the decade in many ways. Many credit this meeting with the trajectory change for both groups and rock ‘n’ roll music as a whole, and A Complete Unknown could’ve been one of the first Bob Dylan movies to depict the event.
They both admired one another’s approach to music, so they might have taken inspiration from one another whether they met or not.
According to Far Out Magazine, The Beatles wanted to meet Bob Dylan to discuss songwriting and music. After their meeting, the group started to put out more personal, self-expressive, narrative songs. Shortly after they met, Bob Dylan “went electric” and helped create the genre of folk-rock. This doesn’t necessarily mean the night at the Delmonica H๏τel was the singular defining event that caused these changes.
In all actuality, The Beatles and Bob Dylan were probably already heading in that direction. They both admired one another’s approach to music, so they might have taken inspiration from one another whether they met or not. However, the meeting may have served as a catalyst for them. Alternatively, it could be a weird coincidence that we’ve all overexaggerated as a big deal.
A Complete Unknown Was Smart To Leave Out The Beatles
The Inclusion Of The Beatles Would’ve Been Too Risky For A Complete Unknown
Even though Bob Dylan and The Beatles meeting is remembered as a pivotal moment, A Complete Unknown was probably smart to leave out The Beatles for two big reasons. Firstly, casting The Beatles is a nearly impossible job, and it almost always causes backlash from fans. It doesn’t matter how hard the creative team worked to find the perfect actors; they would still get criticism. That’s the unfortunate challenge of making films about such a beloved and iconic group.
Secondly, including The Beatles in A Complete Unknown could’ve distracted from the story. Outside of A Complete Unknown’s main character, the movie already had to balance big-name musicians like Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Johnny Cash. All these individuals had a close relationship with Bob Dylan during the early 1960s, so the narrative necessitated it. However, A Complete Unknown almost entirely skips over 1964, which is the start of Bob Dylan’s friendship with The Beatles. Ultimately, the decision was probably best with the film existing as it is.
