Released in May 1970, having just announced the dissolution of the Beatles, the documentary ‘Let It Be’, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and which includes the rehearsals and recording of the last album published by the band, returns to the international commercial circuit for 54 years. later and can be seen on Disney+ from this Wednesday (05/08/2024).
The recovery was possible thanks to Peter Jackson, who directed the remastering after having released his series ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ in 2021, three episodes narrated from almost 60 hours of footage filmed for Lindsay-Hogg’s documentary and which was discarded.
The original film had been forgotten at the express wish of the band who, until Jackson’s appearance, prevented any re-release or reissue. None of them attended the theatrical release in 1970 and neither did they bother to go and collect the Oscar for best soundtrack that they received.
The initial idea of the project, driven by McCartney, was to record an album that returned to its rock roots without artifice, after several years of experimentation, and to record its magic before Linsay-Hogg’s cameras.
But when they locked themselves in the Twickenham studios in London, surrounded by spotlights, cameras and recorders that recorded their every movement and conversation, moments of tension also emerged.
The film makes it clear that McCartney is the one who calls the shots, shows the famous dispute with George Harrison over the guitar riffs of ‘Two of Us’, which the latter resolves with a “I’ll do whatever you want Paul” or a conversation with Lennon in which McCartney expresses his discomfort at Harrison’s reluctance to record his live shows.
Artificial intelligence to the rescue
Beyond the friction, the film shows the chemistry of a band that knows each other well and still has fun playing and offers a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the creation processes of one of the most influential groups in history.
The first part, filmed at Twickenham studios, includes moments such as Ringo and George arranging ‘Octopus Garden’ or Paul giving instructions to Lennon about the guitar in ‘I’ve got a feeling’.
The second, filmed in the building of his record label in London, Apple Corps, culminates with the famous rooftop concert, which ended up being his last live performance.
The re-release of ‘Let It Be’ occurs at a time of recovery of the band’s material thanks to artificial intelligence.
Peter Jackson used these new technologies both in his series and in this reissue of the Lindsay-Hogg film and AI was also used to recover the song ‘Now and then’, released last November from a demo recorded by John Lennon in his New York apartment.
On the other hand, director Sam Mendes announced in February that he will make four films about the Beatles, each told from the perspective of a member of the British band.
Apple Corps Ltd. and the Beatles (McCartney, Starr and the families of the deceased Lennon and Harrison) approved this project and provide the musical rights to tell the life of the ‘Liverpool Fab Four’.
ee (efe, Disney+)
