The Beatles: Get Back

Once you get beyond obvious questions like, “Why all these years did each Beatle treat Let It Be (movie) as an accurate depiction of the state of their band when Peter Jackson proves the opposite?” Perhaps when the original movie was released the song title was their way of telling us to just let The Beatles go their separate ways…. Best interview to to see an honest viewpoint of why they broke up was George Harrison on Dick Cavett in the early ‘70’s.If you’re a Beatles fan, eight hours of Get Back will leave you wanting more. And you may recall a few memorable tidbits from Let It Be that we’re excluded from Get Back that surprised. One example was the exchange between Paul and John regarding a guitar riff John was to play during I’ve Got A Feeling that was supposed to slide downward gradually that John kept step-laddering from one level to the next. And Paul kept insisting John play it over and over…causing John to have that I’m-about-to-storm-outa-here look.The fact that Paul was at times a rather insensitive perfectionist in how HIS songs would be performed is an understatement. This can be seen just before George quits the band. The cameras zero in (with help from later editing by Jackson) on George’s eyes during the creative process of the song Get Back after George is figuratively pushed to the side while Paul and John share their own epiphanies. Paul and John are oblivious, but we see George is about to have some emotional breakdown. And does. But to his credit waits until lunch break and calmly announces his exit and leaves.While the aftermath of all that is sorted out they move to another studio that’s more intimate and comfortable and invite Billy Preston to join them. I loved how Get Back does a far better job showcasing Billy’s talent on the keyboards and the band’s reaction to him than Let It Be did. He didn’t require hardly any direction but took to each song like he wrote them himself. A true master at his craft.Another difference we see is in how many outsiders were constantly whispering in their ears, most with good intentions (we see John being warned about Allen Klein), while others more self serving.The rooftop concert was done in multiple frames, sometimes three, where we could see street level occurrences simultaneously with the band playing. I felt this was done well, along with hearing the actual, at times threatening, dialogue when the police arrived on the scene.Unlike Let It Be, Get Back doesn’t suddenly end with the rooftop gig, but we follow them back into the studio to record the song Let It Be and others. And their German exchange is priceless. After months in Hamburg in the old days they really knew how to parody the Germans.All in all everything is as Peter Jackson said it would be. The band had its issues, but it was four guys who were like family who loved each other, who got on each others’ nerves, but worked it out when they could.As far as Yoko and Linda go…. All the wives show up at one time or another, even a brief visit by Patty. And for the most part they stay out of the way. But two observations: 1) Yoko was not as quiet as Let It Be portrayed or as Peter Jackson said she was. She is shown doing her blathering into the mic (avant-garde) and screaming John’s name. 2) We saw Linda’s daughter playing around in Let It Be, but she looked like a real nuisance in need of “correction” in Get Back. No Devil child, but certainly not controlled in any way.To sum it up, we’ll worth the money for any Beatles fan left wanting by the somewhat depressing original depiction released in 1970.

7 hours of Beatles on DVD, nothing could be better.

This was purchased as a Christmas Gift for my Brother.I remember seeing "Let it Be" several years ago.But this version is less darker and more upbeat than the former film.

Could there be anything to dislike about this? I think not....

Great film and amazing what they were able to do with the original footage thanks to Peter Jackson and his team. My only complaint is that the discs are just slid in cardboard sleeves instead of jewel cases so of course it is designed to cause the discs to scratch by taking them in and out of the package. Otherwise it's an amazing film and a must have for any Beatles fan and collector.

The extra benefit of the production of Get Back is that Mr. Jackson utilized a technology that later became useful in breaking down the Revolver album tracks. This may also be useful to breaking down all or at least some of the previously released albums tracks so we zero in on them.

The only thing wrong with it, it's not long enough. I want to see the whole 60 hours. Songs and scenes were chopped up, I want to see everything. I hope they release all of it

The first 2/3rds of this shows the band aimlessly rehearsing and sometimes working on writing songs that be appearing on the Let It Be and a little bit of Abbey Road albums. A lot of this is a slog until the last part when they moved into their just opened Apple Studios. Unfortunately the famous roof top concert on the studio roof is not fully shown, just some snippets, frustrating!