For 50 years, generally accepted history has said that the recording sessions of Let it Be, The Beatles’ latest studio album, had been difficult, with the band members bored with their work and disgusted with each other.
Peter Jackson’s series, drawn from some fifty hours of unreleased video recordings, instead shows a band with rare chemistry and a strong work ethic, who were still able to have fun, while actually being in the process. a break.
Produced by a Beatles fanatic for Beatles fanatics, the series can be grueling for those outside the club, but it offers a privileged foray into the group’s creative process.
The Beatles gave their last show on the roof of the Apple Studios office on January 30, 1969.
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Nearly 60 hours of video recordings
Peter Jackson was discussing another project with The Beatles when he asked them what happened to the unused footage that had been filmed for the film Let It Be, by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, published in 1970.
Almost 60 hours of video had been shot over a 3 week period, and the band members were wondering what to do with it. Jackson took this material, in addition to 150 hours of audio recordings, and he spent 4 years building a history.
Launched shortly after the announcement of the group’s dismantling, Lindsay-Hogg’s film had always been seen as the chronicle of a death foretold. The members of the group had reinforced this impression by their negative comments.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, background.”/>Director Peter Jackson
Photo : Getty Images / Archives/Kevin Winter
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Incredible chemistry, despite rumors
Peter Jackson was therefore expecting a rather depressing job when he started digging through the archives. I was waiting for things to turn out badly, he said. I was waiting for the arguments to start, for the conflict to begin. I expected to feel their mutual hatred. I was waiting for all the things I read in books, but they never happened.
Of course, there is conflict, but the series also reveals moments of joy, like when John Lennon sings Two of Us imitating Bob Dylan. Peter Jackson restores the balance.
The chemistry was amazing, drummer Ringo Starr recalled in a recent interview on Zoom. I am an only child, but there I had three brothers. We took care of each other. We had a few arguments, but musically, every time we counted “one, two, three, four” we wanted to give the best of ourselves.
A daily foray into studio life
Peter Jackson recounts the recording sessions each day, from the very beginning on a film set – eventually abandoned for a London recording studio – to their iconic rooftop concert, which was the last performance group public.
The legendary 42-minute impromptu concert on January 30, 1969 on the roof of 3 Savile Row, London.
Photo : Getty Images / Evening Standard
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The Beatles: Get Back also shows the moment when George Harrison announced he was leaving the band one fine day after dinner, a segment Lindsay-Hogg was unable to use in 1970. After a few days, the members of The Beatles had finally convinced the guitarist to come back.
Four myths debunked … or confirmed
Over the course of the series, Peter Jackson confirms or disproves some lingering myths surrounding the group that have solidified over the years.
Mythe no 1 : Paul McCartney wanted to control everything
Verdict : This is partially true. In the series, we see a visibly irritated George Harrison in front of Paul McCartney who gives advice to his colleagues on how to play. Since the death of their manager, Brian Epstein, in 1967, the Beatles had been a bit lost. McCartney had taken on the role of father, without being quite comfortable. I’m scared of being the boss, and have been for a few years, he says in one segment. I have no support.
Mythe no 2 : The Beatles broke up because of Yoko Ono
Verdict : It’s wrong. She is indeed present at almost every recording session, but mainly as a quiet force, seated near Lennon. The wives of all the members of the group come to the studio from elsewhere, although less often.
Paul McCartney even makes a premonitory joke about Lennon’s wife. In 50 years – it will be an incredibly funny thing – people will say, “They broke up because Yoko sat on an amplifier.”
Mythe no 3 : Members of The Beatles had become solo artists, each using the others as mere musicians on their own songs
Verdict : It’s wrong. In the series, they are seen collaborating constantly, seeking the approval of others and asking for advice, like George Harrison who asks John Lennon for help in completing the lyrics of Something.
Mythe no 4 : Video recordings show Beatles break-up
Verdict : This is essentially true. As the series progresses, it becomes clear that Lennon and Harrison’s enthusiasm for The Beatles is waning. Lennon is clearly in love with Yoko Ono, and McCartney tells Harrison and Starr that if Lennon had to choose between his wife and the Beatles, he would choose Yoko Ono.
Harrison can also be seen becoming less and less comfortable in his supporting role. He talks to Lennon about recording a solo album because he wrote enough songs to fill his quota
on the Beatles albums for another decade. The group will also repeat its song All Things Must Pass, but will refuse to save it.
Peter Jackson admits he was very nervous when he presented his documentary to McCartney, Starr and the families of Lennon and Harrison. But they came back saying to me, “It’s perfect, don’t change a thing.”
The other two parts of The Beatles: Get Back will be uploaded by Saturday on Disney +.
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