The Beatles: Get Back

There's a reason for an 8-hour documentary about the recording of The Beatles final release. Back when, there was such a ruckus and hurled allegations from all quarters: the band members, the critics, the (mostly) stoned fans and interested parties. Today, all of that seems like manufactured craziness, but Peter Jackson recreated what may have happened, offering a correction of what people erroneously believed as a clash of inflating egos and tantrums caused by (1) Yoko Ono's presence and (2) the pulling apart of the group by domesticity. In fact, Jackson lets us witness the growth of 4 talented people ready to move on with their drive towards solo careers. The group was just too confining, the mind-meld between McCartney and Lennon too dominant for Harrison and Starkey. Seeing McCartney and Lennon create--almost wordlessly--is riveting, and watching Harrison's resentment over being ignored or dismissed, painful. But there's a tight deadline for the project. Starkey is under contract to begin a movie at month's end, and the planned project includes an album, a TV special, a film plus a live performance in just 3 weeks. So time puts enormous pressure on getting the work done.

The Beatles were a phenomenon unlike anything seen before primarily due to a growing interconnectedness of media that spread news (or rumor) with lighting speed. Reporting the most mundane morsel of what was going on with the group was its own industry. And, in the absence of any fact, the media could always make something up. Critics who were becoming a separate discipline, lying in wait to topple the successful, so they could gain respect and access...and influence. And The Beatles were a primary target for the mill. "Let It Be" was poorly received by the critics which today seems laughable. Take a dart and throw it at the eclectic track list, and you'd score an example of brilliance in both live recording, performing or writing. Sometimes all three. Phil Spector's odd postproduction edits only added to the critical fodder. Today, those additions make little difference. And, as McCartney remarks in the course of the film, Yoko Ono's presence--and any objection to it--also is inconsequential. It's too bad she didn't have the awareness of what her constant presence would give to her detractors.

I wouldn't urge anyone to see this film due to its length. Writing songs and rehearsing them is a repetitious process. You'll either be fascinated or bored stiff. But the restoration alone is a gift; the amount of time we get to spend watching the recording process of geniuses of the 20th Century is a privilege. The music still thrills and influences. Whether you want to stick around and watch how it was created, under self-imposed dire pressure is a personal choice.

Part 3 is the most accessible for the casual viewer. It contains things like a young Heather McCarthy upon hearing Yoko Ono's, unique wordless, guttural singing deciding to mimic her. We also get to move out of the claustrophobic confines of the yet-to-be-completed Apple studios and hear a relatively unrehearsed, rough shod performance (some used on the album). And the surprised inhabitants and passersby on Seville Row astonishment to hear The Beatles finally performing again. The constabulary are less impressed.

It can be argued that the Beatles changed society. Whether you want to say they simply led what was already underway or did it single-handedly is an open question. So, Peter Jackson with "The Beatles: Get Back" did a service by correcting a record. Yes, there were struggles and resentments inside the group. But the real culprit in their split was their maturing talent and a need to express beyond the four as a group. At the time, the break up was devasting to the public and apparently to the group itself; but watching the film today, we can celebrate that they were released to not only express themselves but to give even more to their legacy.

On May 13, 1970, in Redondo Beach, California, I stuffed a VW bus with my closest musician friends and drove to Hollywood to see the midnight premier showing of The Beatles: Let It Be. Like many musicians who were professionally involved in the swiftly emerging music industry in the 60s and 70s, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr had helped to shape and define not only the rock and roll we performed, but also how we socially and culturally defined ourselves in the massive Counterculture Movement.

After screening the film, we drove back home in deafening silence. It was as if a global blackout had occurred, and when it was over, the music industry landscape had been transformed into a yawning, empty hole, one which would not begin to be filled in for another 51 years. It was true, there was little to say. We had just witnessed the depressing breakup of the world's greatest pop band, and the stunning finality of it all had been dutifully documented in Let It Be. To quote John Lennon: "The dream was over."

But thanks to director extraordinaire Peter Jackson, and the release of The Beatles: Get Back, the painful wound I thought would never heal was suddenly cleansed, dressed, stitched and repaired. The empty hole left by the original film began to fill in as the first few scenes of Get Back rolled across the television screen. Instead of mourning the demise of this iconic group, I found myself with a renewed sense of celebration, even relief, with the updated knowledge that the Beatles hadn't necessarily "gone down in flames" but rather, were subconsciously beginning the process of launching their solo careers, each of which would flourish for many years following their official breakup.

Most IMDb fans already know the full story behind Let It Be (1970) and The Beatles: Get Back (2021) so there is no need to duplicate descriptions and comparisons. In both films, it is still the music that efficiently carries the storyline as well as the strong creative processes the Beatles possessed when building new songs in the recording studio.

Peter Jackson's "retelling" allowed me to enjoy the film for what it was always meant to be: An upbeat and beautiful documentary best described by Greek philosopher Aristotle's timeless phrase, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

No spoilers here as usual but I will reveal that the process of selecting and restoring the material for the film took New Zealander Peter Jackson a grueling four years.

It really doesn't get any better than this. Over 50 yrs ago and I feel like I was in the room watching real magic with 4 magicians. I really don't know how anyone cannot be a Beatles fan.

I don't even know where to start. I subscribed to Disney+ just for this and it is a masterpiece. I've seen the "Let It Be" documentary (everybody knows the historic Paul and George argument and "I'll play anything you want me to play") but this is way beyond that. I related to every single rehearsal scene (from my experiences) and connected mostly with Paul (I don't want to be the leader and songwriter but someone has to do it). But oh Lord I wish I was Lennon. I knew he was hilarious but I had no idea he was the most hilarious human on the planet. (And a great soulful writer and singer, but we already knew that). There are scenes where Paul is trying to get the others to pay attention to some of his greatest songs in creation like Long and Winding Road, Get Back, and Let It Be...and no one cares. Until they do. And it's a really deep dive into the creative process and mumbling nonsense lyrics and playing total garbage until it all comes together. And drunken debauchery (along with other substances) until you have masterpiece level music. And I haven't even mentioned Linda's soulful eyes and camerawork, Ringo's sad silence before he's drawn into the songs, George's classic songs (like All Things Must Pass) that never made the record, the bizarre goofy blues jams, and Yoko. But I've already said too much. Just watch it.

One of the things about being a Beatles fan since the Ed Sullivan show was that it was fun to watch them do ANYTHING. We weren't inundated with celebrity footage like we are now, so even getting to watch them boil an egg was wonderful. I still feel that way.

One thing about this film: the Beatles just jamming is better than about half the music ever.

And even with any bickering, you can tell how much fun they had playing together.

It makes me sad all over again about John's life being cut so short.