Ringo was the secret ingredient and other revelations from Ron Howard’s Beatles movie

Are there any surprises left when it comes to the Beatles? Their music and history has been so thoroughly mined that superfans would argue no, and they may very well be right. But Ron Howard’s lively new documentary “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” offers a few moments that might interest more casual enthusiasts. Here’s a look at a few of the revelations.

Don’t knock Ringo. He was the secret ingredient.

Ringo doesn’t always get the same respect that John, Paul and George do. But as Paul McCartney tells it, when the drummer replaced Pete Best in 1962, it felt a little like love at first sight.

“I still remember that moment, the first time Ringo played with us,” McCartney says during an interview in the movie. “He kicks in, and it was an oh-my-God moment. … I remember looking, and we’re all looking at each other like, ‘Yeah! This is it.’ ”

“Whew,” Sir Paul added. “I’m getting very emotional.”...