Help!

"Stop worrying! HELP! is on the way!"

1965 1h 32m EN

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 360

AdventureComedyMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An obscure Eastern cult that practices human sacrifice pursues Ringo after he unknowingly puts on a ceremonial ring (that, of course, won't come off). On top of that, a pair of mad scientists, members of Scotland Yard, and a beautiful but dead-eyed assassin all have their own plans for the Fab Four.

“Stop worrying! HELP! is on the way!”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

John Lennon
John
Paul McCartney
Paul
George Harrison
George
Ringo Starr
Ringo
Leo McKern
Clang
Eleanor Bron
Ahme
Victor Spinetti
Foot
Roy Kinnear
Algernon

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Richard Lester
Writers: Marc Behm, Charles Wood, Marc Behm
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

MONEY

Did you know

Shot for just $1.5M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

61 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Richard Lester, shot by David Watkin. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor John Victor-Smith shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

John Lennon and Paul McCartney and George Harrison carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Stop worrying! HELP! is on the way!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0059260 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Richard Lester directs. David Watkin behind the camera. John Victor-Smith cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Shot for just $1.5M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
261 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by Richard Lester, shot by David Watkin. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Editor John Victor-Smith shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5John Lennon and Paul McCartney and George Harrison carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Stop worrying! HELP! is on the way!".
7IMDB entry: tt0059260 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: David Watkin
Editing: John Victor-Smith
Costume design: Julie Harris
Makeup / hair: Betty Glasow
Runtime: 92 min · 1h 32m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $1,500,000
Original language: EN
IMDB: Help! (1965)

Also by

Richard Lester

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Community reviews

What people are saying

CinemaSerf2025-06-09
★ 7/10
Ringo Starr and Leo McKern steal their scenes in this entertaining vehicle for the Beatles. The former is sent a magic ring that won’t come off, which is unfortunate because the latter (“Clang”) has decided that the wearer of this jewel is to be sprayed in red paint and then ritually sacrificed to appease his cultish god. When the dead-pan Ringo realises just what peril he is in, he tries to get some scientists to help out and that only makes matters worse. You see the men in the white coats also realise that this ring is unique and they want it too! If it can’t come off voluntarily then “Foot” (Victor Spinetti) and his hapless sidekick “Algernon” (the ever reliable Roy Kinnear) will just have to resort to more drastic measures. What now ensues sees a series of “Fu Manchu” meets “Pink Panther” meets “Dads Army” escapades with loads of messy slapstick comedy to accompany plenty of set piece Beatles numbers like “Help”, “Ticket to Ride” and “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” - all segued between some Beethoven and even a little Wagner. It’s an out-and-out comedy, very much of it’s time and Richard Lester allows the lads to behave really quite engagingly whilst their more professional acting co-stars to do what heavy lifting there needs to be. Apparently we have the lady who invented the sewing machine to thank for this, even if she wasn’t actually called “Singer”!

Production companies