The upcoming Beatles documentary: Get Back from director Peter Jackson is made up of archived footage from the 1970 film Let it Be and will be premiering on Disney+ over Thanksgiving this year. Jackson has spent the past 3 years restoring and editing the huge amount of footage. Reportedly there was over 50 hours of footage that was shot in January 1969 chronicling the making of the iconic album Let it Be. Because of the large amount of content, the documentary will be made up of 3 episodes that are approximately 2 hours each. They will be released on November 25, 26, and 27 exclusively on Disney Plus.
From the previewed footage it appears that The Beatles: Get Back will act as a counter narrative to the 1970 film Let it Be, which essentially chronicles the break up of The Beatles. The original Let it Be film is currently not in circulation, as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison have been reluctant to revisit it in recent years.
Jackon’s previous film They Shall not Grow Old showed 100 year old footage from World War 1, painstakingly restored into color. That restoration wizardry has been used on the 50 year old Beatles footage, with impressive results.
“As a huge Beatles fan myself, I am absolutely thrilled that Disney+ will be the home for this extraordinary documentary series by the legendary filmmaker Peter Jackson,” said Executive chairman at Disney, Bob Iger. “This phenomenal collection of never-before-seen footage offers an unprecedented look at the close camaraderie, genius songwriting, and indelible impact of one of the most iconic and culturally influential bands of all time, and we can’t wait to share ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ with fans around the world.”
“In many respects, Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s remarkable footage captured multiple storylines,” said Jackson. “The story of friends and of individuals. It is the story of human frailties and of a divine partnership. It is a detailed account of the creative process, with the crafting of iconic songs under pressure, set amid the social climate of early 1969. But it’s not nostalgia – it’s raw, honest, and human. Over six hours, you’ll get to know The Beatles with an intimacy that you never thought possible.”
He continued, “I’m very grateful to The Beatles, Apple Corps and Disney for allowing me to present this story in exactly the way it should be told. I’ve been immersed in this project for nearly three years, and I’m very excited that audiences around the world will finally be able to see it.”
The film is being made with the support of McCartney. Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison.
The Beatles: Get Back is directed by Peter Jackson, produced by Jonathan Clyde (Eight Days A Week) and Clare Olssen (They Shall Not Grow Old) Executive producers are Ken Kamins (The Hobbit) and Jeff Jones (Eight Days A Week). The film is edited by Rogue One editor, Jabez Olson. The documentary’s music will be helmed by Sam Okell (Yesterday) and Giles Martin (Rocketman).
Check out the preview below:
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