Featuring rare and exclusive footage, The Beatles – Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years will be released in cinemas by KRS Releasing Ltd.

Ron Howard’s documentary, which already has the makings of a cult hit if reactions at preliminary screenings are anything to go by, was produced with the full co-operation of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison and is based on the first part of the Beatles’ career (1962-1966) – the period in which they toured and captured the world’s acclaim.

In it, Howard explores how Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr came together to become the extraordinary phenomenon that we know as The Beatles. The film explores the band’s inner workings – how they took decisions, created their music and build their collective career together – while exploring The Beatles’s extra-ordinary and unique musical gifts and their remarkable, complementary personalities.

The title of the film is taken from the 1964 hit single by the group.

A special screening for VIPs and celebrities late last month in London drew a number of A-listers, including Bafta award-winning actress Julie Walters and Notting Hill director Richard Curtis.

The film holds its world premiere in London’s Leicester Square at 7pm on Thursday. A star-studded red carpet event, live streamed to local cinemas, it can be seen at the Eden and Empire cinemas, before the showing of the docu-mentary, along with 20 minutes of exclusive theatrical content.

A full theatrical run will then follow from Friday at the Eden, Embassy and Empire Cinemas.