Revisit ‘The Beatles’ 1970s Documentary With Disney+!

Are you a fan of The Beatles and their iconic music? If so, you are in for a treat as the legendary band’s 1970 documentary “Let It Be” is set to make a comeback after being out of circulation for over four decades. Thanks to the incredible restoration work by Peter Jackson’s team, this historic film will soon be available for fans to enjoy on Disney+. But, what can you expect from The Beatles documentary?

The Story Behind the 1970s The Beatles Documentary

In 2021, director Peter Jackson released “The Beatles: Get Back,” a highly praised docuseries on Disney+. Spanning three parts and nearly eight hours, the series depicted the intense recording process of The Beatles during January 1969. This is the time it ultimately resulted in their final album, “Let It Be.” The documentary captured the drama and excitement surrounding John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr during this pivotal period.

Peter Jackson’s series was crafted from approximately 60 hours of behind-the-scenes footage filmed by director Michael Lindsay-Hogg for “Let It Be”. This was his 1970 documentary covering The Beatles’ recording sessions. While Lindsay-Hogg’s film was relatively obscure and sometimes criticized, Jackson’s series offered fans a fresh perspective on this archival material.

What Happened to the Documentary?

Following its initial theatrical release, Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s film largely faded into obscurity for over fifty years. This was aside from low-quality VHS copies and bootlegs. Fans remember it as a captivating historical record. They said it showcased The Beatles’ late-stage creative process. However, it also served as a portrayal of the band’s internal conflicts as they approached their breakup.

“Get Back” was perceived by some as a necessary revision to “Let It Be”. It offers abundant moments of lightheartedness and camaraderie in contrast to the original film’s portrayal of internal discord. However, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the director of “Let It Be,” holds a different perspective. Lindsay-Hogg, aged 83, is renowned for his contributions to music videos and acclaimed works like “Brideshead Revisited.” He has spent fifty years advocating for “Let It Be” to receive a reappraisal. He still believes it deserves a fair assessment.

The Beatles Documentary Will Be Added to Disney+

After decades of being largely overlooked, the documentary “Let It Be” is set to be reintroduced to audiences. A restored version of the 1970 film will soon be available on Disney+. This is the same platform that released “The Beatles: Get Back,” Peter Jackson’s 2021 docuseries. The release utilized outtakes from director Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s original film.

The documentary will make its re-debut on Disney+ on May 8, marking a significant moment for Beatles fans who have long awaited its release from the vault. Not only has the 1970 film been resurrected, but it has also been meticulously restored by Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production, employing cutting-edge technology to rejuvenate the vintage footage and ensure it looks and sounds as vibrant as ever, akin to the revitalization seen in “The Beatles: Get Back.”

Why Is This Restoration Happening?

In an interview with the New York Times, Lindsay-Hogg discussed the new restoration of the film. He described how Peter Jackson showed him restored images, highlighting the significant improvement in detail, such as individual strands of hair. Lindsay-Hogg emphasized that the new version retains the essence of a 20th-century movie but with a brighter and livelier appearance compared to previous versions. He requested a more filmic look for this restoration, distinguishing it from the slightly more modern and digital appearance of “Get Back.”

Both viewers and some members of The Beatles themselves appeared critical of the tense interactions depicted in the original 1970 film, “Let It Be,” during the album’s creation. With the release of the restored version, there is anticipation surrounding whether Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, among others, might now offer a more favorable assessment, potentially aligning with Peter Jackson’s recent acclaim of the documentary.

Will you be watching The Beatles documentary?

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