The Beatles: Get Back

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It's amazing to be able to see a glimpse at their combined creative geniuses at work. You can really tell that John and Paul were meant to be friends and write together. The only part I cringed at was when Yoko was trying to sing.. or whatever she was trying to do 😉

When a moment in time is so perfect that it can't be recreated or revisited, it must be remembered. That's what Mr Jackson has done with "The Beatles: Get Back". We're all familiar with the finished product, the songs the Beatles gave us. The songs that I've been listening to for almost 60 years now. What we aren't familiar with was the creative process that John, Paul, George, and Ringo went through to create their art. We remember that they broke up, with acrimony implied. What we never witnessed (until now) was how beautifully they complemented each other. As mere mortals, we could never imagine how four individuals could sync and dovetail, imagine and create, to give the world a taste of heaven. This documentary isn't about "how the sausage is made". It's about how "Michelangelo sculpted David". Every step is in itself beautiful, enchanting, daring, and oftentimes very humorous. We see energy and creativity in action, the give and take. We also know the end result, and knowing that end result makes the process even more fascinating. I for one assumed that the creation of "Let it Be" would be the most interesting. I never suspected "Get Back" would take that honor. Mr Jackson presents a wonder-full documentary of four young men creating music that is known to generations. The editing is superb as is the restored footage. All with a soundtrack that is truly beauty-full. Thank you Mr Jackson.

The climactic third segment of Peter Jackson's re-edit on Michael Lindsay-Hogg's raw footage for the original "Let It Be" feature in 1970. In the intervening 51 years, many of the significant characters here are no longer with us, most obviously Lennon and Harrison, but also George Martin, Billy Preston and Linda McCartney (then Eastman) to name but a few. Me, I'm glad I've lived long enough as a lifelong Beatles fan to see this up-close-and-personal glimpse of them in the studio and of course, in the end, playing live for the last time, on the roof of the Apple Studios building on Savile Row, London. If the first film of the three showed the group not coping with being expected to work in the cavernous Twickenham Film Studio set to the extent of becoming fractious with one another and not getting a whole lot done and the second their reconciliation and rediscovery of their collective mojo boosted by the drafted-in guest appearance of keyboardist Billy Preston, then this last instalment showed the race against time to complete their elpee's worth of songs (at which they fail) and agreement to an almost ad-hoc suggestion that they perform their new material live above the mostly agog office and shop-workers below (at which they succeed). I do hope now that the often upbeat nature of these films and the way they showed the band tightening up, in more ways than one, will replace the perception of these sessions, as portrayed in the original film, as negative and downbeat. Yes, there were disagreements and falling-outs along the way, but when their backs were against the wall, the band always came out fighting, as McCartney states they invariably did when the occasion called. While in the first hour, perhaps the odd extended jam or two could have been cut down or out, these are more than made up for with priceless scenes with the group chemistry very much in evidence, witness George asking for help with his lyric for "Sonething", his own helping of Ringo to knock "Octopus's Garden" into shape or John and Paul hilariously co-singing "Two Of Us" as if they were ventriloquists. Best of all though was the music itself. Marvel at their prolific output, setting themselves a 14-song target, this, remember just a few months after they'd unleashed 30 newbies on "The White Album". Also dig how they individually and collectively pull a song together, not stopping until they get it right. Initially trepidatious at witnessing a perceived up-close disintegration of my favourite band, instead I got an insight into the years of gigging and recording which helped them stay together for so long. Yes, at times, it's clear the ends were fraying as they grew apart and would come loose for good after one final magnificent hurrah with "Abbey Road", but this extended window into their world only deepened my love and admiration for this most special band. The highpoint of "Get Back" of course was the uncut 40 minutes or so of the rooftop show, again with Billy Preston as their side-man on keyboards, blasting out their new music over the streets of London prompting the attention of the stuffy, out-of-touch local plod to shut them down. All the sometimes ramshackle rehearsals and run-throughs forgotten, on a cold but sunny winter morning, they sing and play magnificently together one last time in a truly Olympian performance, to the mortals below. And in the end, borrowing a phrase from a lesser but still very popular band, all I can say is thank you for the music, boys, you were the best.

Fantastic to see the inner workings of the Fab Four and their creative process. Coming up with songs like let it be and get back on the hoof. Supremely talented. Also great to see the hierarchy of the group with Paul and John calling all of the shots. George being 'the quiet one' and Ringo just going along. Great insight.

What a treasure! If I could give this 20 stars I would. Some of my earliest memories are of the Beatles and I can still remember every word to every Beatle song even though other memories in my life have faded. This film is a gift to the world. A found item in the most magical of attics. To see the collaboration, the talent, the brotherhood in such intimate detail is truly wonderful. I loved every minute of it. Peter Jackson is also a gift and it must have been near impossible to decide what to leave in and what to exclude. Like LOTR he nails it, managing to honor the content without forcing himself of it. It will always be difficult to watch John knowing his unacceptable end but what a great tribute and memorial this is. And sweet George. While others screamed for Paul, I was always a George girl. If I could just go back in time and take the cigarette out of his hand I would. Alas it is the way of things. Thank you Peter Jackson for this most wonderful of gifts!!

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.

After watching the first part of this documentary, I couldn't help but feel stressed out for the band as they put pressure on them selves to meet the deadline. A great job is done directing this and it's a true treasure of unseen footage. Just one thing.... Yoko is ALWAYS THERE!! Literally just sitting there saying nothing and staring.... All... the... time!! Wow... just wow. I guess we all have a friend whose spouse is always hovering lol. Anyway I'm excited for part 2. That's all.