Short answers, pulled from the story.
Director Patrick Montgomery helmed the production while actor Malcolm McDowell provided the narration for the entire film. This two-hour documentary chronicled the career of the band through extensive research and interviews.
Musicians Gerry Marsden, Billy J. Kramer, Marianne Faithfull, Billy Preston, Lenny Kaye, and Tony Sheridan lent their voices to the narrative alongside music writer Bill Harry. Authors Nicholas Schaffner and Wilfrid Mellers also provided additional commentary on the band's career trajectory.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released The Compleat Beatles on home video in 1984 through the MGM/UA Home Video label. Initial formats included VHS, Betamax, CED, and Laserdisc versions that same year with a 1982 Laserdisc release appearing in Japan and England during 1983.
The film incorporates archival footage of interviews with members of the Beatles themselves along with behind-the-scenes background material regarding the making of their albums. Early concert footage appears throughout the runtime to illustrate live performances while candid footage captures the often obsessed and hysterical nature of their fans.
Independent company TeleCulture Films later made the documentary available theatrically in 16mm format following the popularity of the initial video release. Their involvement brought the project back to movie theaters after its television debut to expand the audience reach beyond standard home viewing options.