LET IT BE 1970 Beatles Film Review |

[@markstewart4934]

Seeing this after "Get Back" was released on Disney+ provides a very interesting perspective. It's incredible the work that Peter Jackson did to use technology to isolate the voices, the conversations, and the music. Not to mention how crystal clear the visuals were on the new series. This gives you that much more appreciation for all the hard work that Jackson did to bring Get Back to the world.

[@margieandposh]

I went to a theatre to watch this film and it made me very sad. I felt better when I learned that they actually made Abbey Road after this dark Let it Be movie. Abbey Road is a beautiful last album. I was always sad that they broke up because they made me happy. I’m 67 years old and I listen to the Beatles often especially when I feel lousy. They make me feel better every time. I understand your obsession with this amazing group from my childhood.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for the heartfelt comment. They've been called the 20th century's greatest love story. Love between a band and their fans. If Hollywood wrote a story like this, no one would believe it.

[@alienskinmusic]

@@popgoesthe60s52 And as you would agree, I believe, Matt, Mark Lewisohn's work on their biography best tells the documented story of their lives and career, and it indeed reads like a Hollywood script, yet this one is real:)

[@TheSteveGainesRockBand]

I also saw the original Let It Be film in a movie theater with high school friends when it first came out. I think I saw it again on KZbin years ago before The Beatles chased it away. And I saw the new Peter Jackson documentary. The original film was rather dreary and drab as is the popular view. I didn't see a lot of fighting (or any at all) in the original. Even the discussion between Paul and George about his guitar playing was nothing exceptional. Overall the new documentary was interesting, but something I may never watch again. It's just not THAT interesting.

[@1rwjwith]

Here is a different perspective. Being that I am 68 years old and a BIG BEATLES fan, I AM SOMEONE WHO SAW THIS FILM IN THEATERS TWICE AT THE TIME IT WAS RELEASED. I don't agree that is was that DISMAL or DEPRESSING. In fact it was so unique at the time, kind of an inside look at them working on the album and playing live in the studio and rooftop that I came out of the theater ELATED both times! As soon as that beginning with Paul and then Ringo at the piano happened I just was thrilled! You have to remember, we had nothing like Documentaries on bands or KZbin or ANYTHING of the sort back then on any Rock Bands . The only time you saw them was on the Ed Sullivan show or something similar. Remember this came out in May 1970! So anyway In retrospect I can see a little "downer" vibe but with that ROOFTOP SET being so completely joyous to end it I for one forgot all about any negativity. So thanks for your review but maybe some of the lighting and audio problems you had were as result of the TV edit and bootleg of it. I did not get that watching in the CINEMA in 1970! IT was marvelous.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks so much for the perspective - much appreciated!

[@judmcc]

I saw it in the theater when it came out. I liked it because it was real life. It was perhaps the first of the "making of...".

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I think it's a great document in that regard. Thanks for the comment.

[@graniterhythm53]

Yes, viewed in its own time as a 'fly on the wall' was impressive. I wasn't at all disappointed with my cinema trip in 1970, it was a total blast!

[@Alkes777]

​@@popgoesthe60s52 You nailed it. This movie was our social media . Flaws and all. At a time when they weren't very visible we were just happy to see them . It'll be nice to see an updated version though. Love your videos.

[@jacenoley2597]

I saw it at the Charkes theater in Baltimore many years after it was inttially made. I liked it and did not think it was sad or depressing.The theatre audience applauded at the end.

[@retrobrw919]

I think whenever Get Back comes out next year, a lot of the negative myths surrounding these sessions will finally be put to rest. Let it Be is a horrible film, with the exception of the rooftop concert.

[@winecorrespondent4724]

I think even the Let it Be film when cleaned up is going to be a revelation as well. The music will carry it.

[@continentalgin]

I have a bootleg of the film, too, and it sucks just like when I went to see it when it came out in the theaters like in 1970 or whenever it was. Even back then, it sucked. I thought at the time, why did they get an incompetent director? Why is the footage and sound so awful? It was a crappy experience and one could only surmise that the whole lot of them, including the film crew, were so wiped out on drugs they couldn't think straight.

[@markpr73]

I totally agree! I've watched all the trailer material that's been released and, unless those brief few minutes were the only times in the entire film when the boys were really up and exuberant, I think your theory will be proved accurate. Obviously, a lot of cleaning up of the video quality has been done, and the clips I've seen look incredible in terms of clarity and lack of the muddiness that plagued the original film. But, what stands out right away is the upbeat, animated, goofy, side of the band that reflects the exact opposite of how these sessions were reported to have gone and what is depicted in the original. This definitely does NOT appear to be a band teetering on the edge of collapse. That said, we average humans do not get to see the entire 58 hours of rough footage that Peter Jackson had to rummage gleefully through, so there may very well still be hours of footage of the Beatles absolutely hating on each other, but I doubt it. You just don't get that vibe from the 5 minute trailer that seems to be the "flagship" version at this moment. I can't wait for the release of Get Back and it may be the only reason I can find to subscribe (albeit temporarily) to the Disney Channel. Either that or I'll tough it out until the Blu-ray comes out, and you KNOW it will!

[@annawitter5161]

Thanks for your insight. I cannot get enough on those final years of the Beatles. Have you seen the clip of John and Paul singing Two of Us through their teeth? Hilarious!!

[@matthewstreet1961]

I believe the new Peter Jackson cut will be a breath of fresh air! I'm stoked to see it! The original was like watching a funeral procession, for the most part. The concert was the highlight.

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

I hope that the new one is reasonably balanced, though, rather than whitewashing all of the uncomfortable moments.

[@ewest14]

@@craigbroadfoot1851 Peter Jackson has already addressed this and wants it to be balanced.

[@sjdrifter72]

It will be a complete whitewash in order to portray McCartney in a positive light. Paul is notorious for rewriting Beatles history to keep his public image and reputation immaculate.

[@ewest14]

@@sjdrifter72 Paul isn't in control of it, Peter Jackson is. Jackson has already said that he's trying to make it balanced so get your Paul hate out of here

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

@@ewest14 It depends on the brief Peter Jackson was given - I doubt he has free rein and ultimately the Beatles are the ‘client’, so you can’t discount a whitewash sadly. Let’s just see what happens!

[@thomasspravka1370]

The funny thing about the spat between Paul and George, is it's largely a miscommunication. Paul says he wants the song simplified and George is bewildered because he's doing a minimal part already. At this point the song is a full electric version, by the end, it's quite acoustic with George doing the same lick as before. So the real goal was to reduce it from electric to acoustic, but Paul wasn't able to verbalize that.

[@pts5217]

I think it stemmed from Hey Jude a few months earlier. George wanted to play guitar licks after each sung line, but Paul shot it down bc he didn’t like the idea. George apparently got pretty pissy about it and took it personally...so there was simmering resentment For Two of Us, George was trying out different licks but Paul wanted to get a basic arrangement for the song first before adding guitar leads. The already existing bad blood over a similar situation probably led to the argument. Seems like George would get moody and take some things personally...hence Paul saying “Just like with Hey Jude, I’m not trying to get you”

[@continentalgin]

@@pts5217 Yeah, that's what I heard, as well. The aggravation went back to Hey Jude and Paul telling George then not to play little bits at the end of each line of lyrics. That situation came up again when John was recording the Imagine album. At one point he stops the take and says, 'Everybody stop adding little doodles, just play it straight! No improvising little embellishments, just play it straight and clean!' Those weren't his exact words, but something like that. He was really pissed off and George was sitting right there once again.

[@damonwalker7527]

I guess Im kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good website to stream new movies online?

[@Mandrake591]

It was the timing of what George was playing that Paul was taking issue with, not whether it was acoustic or electric. It’s pretty ordinary for bands to have arguments, even The Beatles, especially when the pressure is on.

[@wyliesmith4244]

Ever get the feeling that a loy of the perceived negativity is based on the knowledge that the band would break up? I bet perceptions would have been different if Abbey Road was released afte Let It Be.

[@Naminski1a]

That was a great movie review for The Beatles: Let It Be (1970). It's coming to Disney+ on May 8.

[@seanaiello4984]

Hopefully elements of the entire rooftop performance still exsist and will be included on the LIB re-release. Not sure if the cameras caught it (they would've had to change film reels at least twice) but one is The Beatles performing "God Save the Queen".

[@eddiewillers1442]

I saw the movie in the theater when it came out. I was 18 and I really don't remember it being a "drag". In fact, I was kind of surprised when it gathered the reputation it now has. Other than the marvelous Rooftop concert, my only lasting memory of the film was John and Yoko doing a slow, tender waltz while George was playing "I Me Mine". Now I read they were "mocking" George, but I don't believe it for a second. I guess we will find out August 2021.

[@bobtaylor170]

I didn't watch Get Back, so I don't know if the question of whether John and Yoko were mocking George was resolved in it, but my instinct about it from Let It Be was that they certainly were not mocking George. Journalists are some of the most obnoxious people in the world.

[@JanPBtest]

4:43 No, it's the quality of the video transfer which is lousy. I've seen both the laserdisc and a 16mm print of it and it looks pretty good. I imagine with today's 4K scanning technology it can look very good.

[@tomeisenmenger6475]

Agreed. I have a downloaded copy that has superior quality to the clips presented here.

[@JanPBtest]

@@tomeisenmenger6475 And now we have Jackson's sample scenes and they do indeed look excellent. Another 16mm-sourced film I got recently is Kieślowski's "Dekalog" on Criterion's Blu-ray. It looks simply phenomenal. And yet another: "Noli me tangere" by Jacques Rivette.

[@Slydeil]

I first saw Let It Be on BBC2 Christmas 1979, along with all the other films...a great present for a Beatles obsessed 12 year old. But Let It Be is sad, dreary and depressing, apart from the Rooftop gig. I also have a bootleg video which I picked up in the early 90s. But looking forward to Peter Jackson's new Get Back version which looks like it's going to be special.

[@tonyn9858]

hi, i fancy seeing the new version. and just like you i have an old videotaped off the telly must have been around 1983 i didn't have a VHS till then tony uk )

[@Slydeil]

@@tonyn9858 I think mine is from a video disc

[@stevepoul7455]

Yes. I was 12 also and saw all their movies listed in the Radio Times Xmas special and thought Xmas had come early. I remember the first films having that cartoon vibe, MMT was a bit weird but OK. Then Let It be ... definitely not a cartoon!!

[@Slydeil]

@@stevepoul7455 A fab Christmas in 1979 then a year later the most depressing and one I've ever experienced.

[@hammer44head]

I saw the movie Let it Be numerous times in the 1970's on tv, it was a pretty bleak movie especially the scenes at Twickenham before Billy Preston's arrival at Apple Studio but it was such a rare treat to have any Beatles video or film to view. Especially the mid to late part of their career before the break up and the only film of them in the studio recording. The only one whom seem interested was Paul, Ringo looked miserable the whole time, it was a real downer. The business part must have just been so heavy on their shoulders and John wanting to go with Yoko and do their thing. George just seemed like he couldnt stand being filmed period. Saw recently a little bit of a preview of a preview of some film they have been working on for next year release that looks like it have some happier moments, and i say moments because it was cut up like MTV attention span of 15 seconds then off to the next scene. Lets hope for the best.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

John and yoyo wanting to do their thing. Heroin. Like all heroin addicts.

[@patrickthomas8890]

@@rudolphguarnacci197 Very true. He was strung out, at least early on which was probably why he seemed so apathetic and miserable. However, a narrative that arose was that he rejected George’s new songs when in reality he was probably dope sick

[@NintenDub]

@@patrickthomas8890 not true

[@patrickthomas8890]

@@NintenDub Not true…based on what?

[@LEEFORDJAGG]

Magical Mystery Tour Film was also panned. Apparently it was shown in the Ú.K on Boxing Day in black and white. Worth it for the music sequences and it builds to a noteable finale of ‘Your Mother Should Know’. ‘I am The Walrus’ is my personal go-to.

[@continentalgin]

I think MMT was pretty awful. Maybe because I just haven't seen it on acid. That scene of the 'wizards' is excruciatingly embarrassing!

[@JMLin-l6q]

When the Beatles broke up I was crushed. I have yet to fully watch either Let It Be film, but will do so eventually. Thanks for so much enjoyable content!

[@TheNoisylover]

If you are a musician or any kind of artist, I doubt you can imagine yourself REHEARSING with a camera in your face. in a cold aircraft hangar with consumer gear. In the MORNING ! What could we expect? We got some wicked cool songs in spite of all the danger

[@jasonnewman4152]

I've seen the film a couple of times. First in 1986, and then someone has posted it in full on KZbin before getting blocked. While I found a lot of the film kind of bleak, I saw a lot that was inspiring. Watching them have great joy while playing the songs was amazing. They'd be arguing one moment and then smiling, clowning around and doing amazing harmonies. It wasn't all depressing.

[@vijitc1209]

I loved the movie because was so raw and many real impromptu moments. You have to be a Beatles fan to love this though.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

I predict that real beatle fans will be dissappointed with peter jackson's ("jack the hack") product and feel taken.

[@monkee5th]

I always loved Let it Be

[@patrickthomas8890]

The original concept for the movie was brilliant and a testament to Paul’s creative genius...writing a new album on a stage where the band would then perform the finished product live to an audience. Too bad that didn’t work out. I guess if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. They were probably used to the Abbey Road environment.

[@helmulu4016]

Peter Jackson did an incredible job rescuing this whole Beatles era on film and sound. LiB is the pits, really. I watched it in 1970 and it was a disappointment then already on all sort of grounds. L-H looks even worse now after Get Back has been released in all its 8 hours of fascinating insights and setting the record straight in regards to many issues of how the band was at that time.

[@nancymantick9333]

Matt, excellent review! I found this because I just finished watching "Get Back", the restoration by Peter Jackson of the Let It Be sessions footage. I'll give my thoughts on that in a moment, but first I want to say a few things about the original movie. I first saw it as a teenager when a classic old theater in my hometown had a special presentation one Saturday of four Beatles movies: "A Hard Day's Night", "Help", "Yellow Submarine", and "Let It Be". I got my mom to take me and my younger brother to the whole thing. She started the day not liking the Beatles, but she didn't want her kids to be alone downtown for all those hours, so she went with us. By the end of the showings, she was a fan, and was grieving along with us over their breakup. They ran the movies in chronological order, so at the end, the sense of loss was overwhelming. I thought "Let It Be" was a real downer, but I was glad that they seemed to reconnect during the rooftop concert. Now on to "Get Back". I've watched the whole thing, and I can tell you it is an absolute delight and treasure in every way! The technical wizards who worked on the video and sound need to get some kind of special awards for technical achievement. The whole documentary is filled with light, even the Twickenham footage. The sound is incredible--you can hear all the conversations, and the sound for the music is crisp and clean, not muddy. Even the footage of Paul and George's disagreement doesn't bring down the film, just adds to the feeling that these are real human beings working together. They're like brothers who are all very different from each other, but have learned to find ways to accomplish things together. There is so much joy and goofiness abounding in this film! It certainly drives home the feeling that Michael Lindsay-Hogg worked an agenda with what made it into the finished film "Let It Be", and what didn't. My thought is that Lindsay-Hogg was trying for a very gritty and dark look that was popular in film-making at that time. I think that approach didn't serve this project well, and definitely didn't serve the existing footage well. He (or whoever edited down the footage for "Let It Be") warped the spirit of the sessions by leaving out so much positive and joyful footage. I'm also struck by the intense connection between Paul and John that still existed even at that time. Many scenes of them show them with their eyes locked together, creating in the moment, and finding joy in the music and connection. Sometimes the camera would slip over to George while that was happening, and I felt a wave of sympathy for him, because the look on his face said that he knew he could never be to either John or Paul what each of those two was to the other. John and Paul were born to be together to create what they did--that is very clear in this footage. I do think that if John hadn't been murdered, he and Paul would have reconciled and worked together again in some form at some later time in their lives. Some other lovely surprises--Ringo can play piano, John could play drums, Paul was totally cool with Yoko hanging around, and Linda, Maureen, and Pattie also spent some time in the studio, as well as Heather, Linda's daughter, leading to some fun interactions between her and the band members. It was hilarious to see various staff members b-s the cops to keep the clock running for the band during the rooftop concert. Well done to all of them--they managed to extend the concert to double the length it would have been if the cops had been able to get up to the roof and shut it down when they first arrived. (I wonder if the individual cops later felt remorse about shutting down The Beatles' final concert?) All in all, I highly recommend "Get Back", and I hope it will come out as an extended video package for sale in the future. Bravo to all involved in this restoration!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Nancy for your comments and what a great mother to take you and your brother to an all-day movie-a-thon!

[@astrosjer822]

To me the bit where the Fabs do “Suzy’s Parlour” is a highlight, such a shame they did not record it later that month at Apple studios.

[@OakvilleLad]

I'm enjoying your vids covering other great groups and music Matt, yet The Beatles are number 1 for me and I truly care to take the time to read your other subs contributions. I'm catching up with your earlier posts and it is pleasingly worth the time. Although I am a "Gen1" fan who was familiar with the LIB album since its release, I did not see the movie until the mid to later seventies. I cannot disagree with almost any comment regarding it - it is what it was - then. 1970. I was 9 years old. Man, that was a long time ago!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for watching, Mark!

[@mikesin3577]

Great video! I surely appreciate your comments about MLH being a bit green for the project, but, man, MLH had to deal with the ultimate "bait and switch" -- He was under the impression that the Beatles were going to be rehearsing for a concert, an event. He probably thought the filming of the rehearsals would be just a small part of the television special with the main focus on the concert event itself. Listening to the Nagra reels, you hear that all he wanted was some clear understanding of the events that would happen throughout the month. He appears to be expecting some type of a major concert event and surely wants to make that the centerpiece of the special. He finally finds out at the end that they are just marching upstairs to the roof to run through tracks -- not a concert... no presentation at all. Then later, he finds out the "television special" that he shot on 16mm is now going to be a feature film so it all has to be blown up to 35mm... adding horrible grain, bad shadows, and killing all visual depth. Then, he prepares an almost 2.5 hour cut of the film that the Beatles see and demand to be edited... and we're left with the 80 minutes that were released in 1970. Overall, I think the problem with "Let It Be" is MLH being green, getting roped into a "bait and switch" project, and having absolutely no creative control.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

You make great points. Hogg really had a lot to deal with considering the Beatles were producing themselves and pretty much directing themselves. 4 prima donnas who came unprepared.

[@anthonyodonnell8724]

I love this channel. You are a very effective and credible commentator. Keep up the good work!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you Anthony - more to come!

[@agustinmarioquiroga3776]

Awesome. Can’t wait for you to do Peter Jackson’s Beatle film.

[@markgumbinger2528]

Nice review! Found the fast zoom in & out edits to be a little repetitive after a while, LOL

[@matthewpendergast1216]

Really been enjoying your various reviews. Very considered and articulate. Excellent stuff. Thank you

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Matthew. More to come!

[@johnheaton5667]

still my favourite rock movie of all time Matt......where else can one see a classic rock band at or near their peak?

[@luke2029]

The song remains the same

[@darrellharmsworth5418]

I only ever saw this movie once when I was 15 on BBC2 when it aired a few days after John died. I don't recall most of it apart from the rooftop gig. It's never been aired since, at least to my knowledge so I'm very much looking forward to the Peter Jackson version.

[@1972mercurycougar]

My Dad purchased the movie. RCA Video Disk player. Not a Lazer disc. Pretty cool! He bought "Let it be", and "Neighbors", with Danny Akroyd, and John Belushi. Almost all the other movies we had we rented. No kidding. 1981 we had Hi-Fi (Stereo) set up through our Pioneer SX 780, 2 Advent floor speakers, and 2 Realistic Minimus 7's in rear. Our prehistoric Home Theater!! Ha! All my buddies came over to watch movies, at our place on Friday nights. Not true 5.1, or even close, but it sounded Darn good!!

[@jasontheoldmillennial7197]

Great review! I still yet to have seen this movie. Just clips here and there. I think The Beatles had a 4 picture deal and this movie fulfilled that agreement. Which makes me think Yellow Submarine was an unofficial Beatles film since they really weren’t in it.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, I think they thought that Yellow Submarine would fulfill their film agreement but since they barely appeared, it didn't count. Bootleg copies of the Let It Be movie show up on ebay for as low as go f $8-10. It might be worth seeking out a copy to prepare yourself for the grand re-release!

[@ChucksAstrophotography]

I have a VHS copy of this film and the audio quality was very good and the argument between Paul and George was easy to hear. Seems like you got your hands on a really bad copy. But excellent review! Keep them coming,

[@rodriguezthiago318]

No one could beat the Beatles in terms of a songwriting team but if you want to see a good rockumentary of that era you should watch "Elvis: That's the way it is*

[@marguskiis7711]

Actually I like the movie. It has the fly on wall idea, it is rough, it has the early 70s hangover vibe. A lot of close-ups, ruthless edit etc.

[@dynjarren8355]

Here’s my review: Let It Be Stunk! That was one of the most depressing films I’ve ever seen. It was like watching a divorce. I was depressed after seeing it. I never want to see it again. They were arguing and the songs were bad. To see my favorite band bickering and the discord between them just brought me down. Terrible documentary!

[@astrosjer822]

I have many boot DVD copies As the quality slowly improves thanks to tech savvy fans. The film and album for the band and first generation fans has the cloud over it due to being released like you said a month after the breakup.

[@daytripper9222]

I was at the theater in 1970 along with my brother to watch this film. Absolutely the best part was the rooftop. It was funny because back then at the theater every time they showed Yoko everybody hissed. Haha That's just the way it was then.

[@justinpenn9250]

At the Apple Studio sequence, they did “Long and Winding Road” in professional quality and at least one other song (Let it Be?) - you get a couple songs without talking and stuff and see them working for real…then the roof top (awesome)….

[@OroborusFMA]

A band that had just released the White Album could have afforded to take six months off and then returned to the studio and then done a few carefully planned limited engagement live shows. But they were really just a bunch of art school dropouts and it truly showed here.

[@pts5217]

I think only Lennon went to art school

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

@@pts5217 Yes, just John and Stu, although Paul, even in early interviews, referenced their "artiness" like starting a song with the chorus.

[@patriciaedwards5183]

John was the only art school student and he didn't drop out, he got expelled.

[@epilobia1]

oi , dropped out art students are the salt of the earth .

[@marguskiis7711]

@@pts5217 Actually the Liverpool Institute Paul studied in had a very strong art department. John was very lazy art student but Paul has studied art stuff all his life, he is an active painter and he was a main co-designer of Beatles last albums.

[@SteveM-ly7oy]

What annoys me is that the Beatles, some of them, say that the whole Let it Be sessions were a real drag and then again when you listen to the Beatles talking in the sessions, they seem to be more optimistic when the decamped to the Apple studios. Then again, you have John high on heroin, Yoko constantly there and interfering, George leaving, Ringo depressed and Paul dominating. It all sounds like a bit of a disaster, and yes, the lighting at Twickenham is shite, frankly. If it took Billy Preston to make the Beatles behave and play like a band again, then this means that they were frankly fed up with each other. I have also heard some audio from this time where Paul, to his credit in fact, tries to understand John's fascination with Yoko and cut him a bit of slack, but obviously he is pissed off at her as well. And he had a right to be. She wasn't the only reason the Beatles split, but by God, she was a major factor.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the comment Steve. I will be exploring this topic at length over the next several months and I will addressing many of the myths (Paul dominating, John high on heroin, Ringo depressed, and George's songs rejected - and of course Yoko). Unfortunately we've been given a false view of this period for reasons I'll go into. If one listens to all 97 hours of the Nagra reels, what's actually there tells a different story than we've been told by the Beatles themselves. Stay tuned!

[@ceedoubleyou]

I saw LIB in a theatre, in the '70's and it was GREAT! I also have it on DVD, the one you can buy on Amazon, it's nowhere near as bad as the copy you have. I still rate it as next in line after AHDN, just to see the Beatles as themselves, can't wait for the Peter Jackson's versions release, now that we know it was actually a happy time, making this movie.

[@MrThedonhead]

Well the bad stuff did happen we saw it, it’s just that there were good moments to so it’s more balanced. But overall it was a bad time the band were breaking up and did break up.

[@robertmowad9169]

I agree. I saw it when it first came out and it was SO rare to see them that I probably would have enjoyed them brushing Their teeth!

[@noneofyourbusiness2766]

I wonder and hope PJ includes John talking about replacing George with Clapton.

[@davidrobinson2776]

I remember buying a bunch of bootlegs of the band Splinter on CD off a market stall about 20 years ago from a guy at a local market. He then reached under the table and offered me a DVD (pretty expensive then) of The Long and Winding Road film. I almost snapped his hand off. I got home and the Splinter CD’s were terrible quality and the Long and Winding Road was actually a superb copy of Let It Be. I got conned but it wasn’t too bad considering.

[@cooper5882]

As a Beatle fan in real time we were happy with anything we could see of The Beatles . If we had the internet at that time things would certainly be different .And now to have a little more is great .I think George Martin put it the best when he said The Beatles were of there time and they didn't choose it, it was chosen for them . So I guess we will just have to see what they come with this new version .

[@alvincash3230]

I saw the movie in the theater and was bummed out. I have an old VHS tape that I watched once. It is a poorly made, nearly unwatchable film but with beautiful music- much like Magical Mystery Tour. I never knew there was so much more film shot during these sessions. What a revelation!

[@JohnHancotte]

Relevant now that it is about to be streamed on Disney+. Considering getting the service (again). Great review!

[@ministerofdarkness]

Dude man you nailed it on this review!

[@danmist]

I still wish they'd recorded a version of Across the Universe like the way they started to play it in the film- that's the way it should have been done.

[@richardangeline2856]

i have a limited collectors edition dvd from england and its preitty clear i also seen it in the movies i still remmber it today and im 67 years old cant wait for the new edition this year 2021

[@LearnMusclescom]

I saw this when it came out in 1970. I was 11 yo and my mother dropped me and a friend off at the University Theater in Ann Arbor for all four films of the Beatles played one after the other... Hard Day’s Night, Help!, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be. I remember being disappointed, but it was after sitting for many hours. Certainly, I think we read way too much into that one scene. I would be curious to have you do a deep dive into the actual fight that did lead to George leaving... thanks for the great video!!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I wish there was more info on the John-George fight. It would have been nice for the guys to clear some of that up in the Anthology!

[@johnharrison9685]

It was good to hear you say that Let it Be was going to be released in 2003 with DVD extras and interviews. I did not know that. Hopefully the work that was completed for that proposed 2003 DVD release will be carried over to this year’s re-release to accompany the album’s box set.

[@patrickthomas8890]

That’d be awesome…but DVDs (and Blu-ray) have gone the way of the 8 track, so a release at this point is unlikely. The market is abysmal. Makes me sad bc I absolutely loved special features like commentary tracks

[@anderflw]

I agree with your assessment of Lindsay-Hogg. Poor lighting, garbled audio and no interviews with members of the band. Here's hoping the new film by Peter Jackson is better.

[@sittingonafrootloop3940]

Theres 29 minutes of a john and Yoko interview with BBC before their final session in Twickenham somewhere on KZbin

[@juanel589]

Damn was there anything The Beatles didn't do before everyone else???.... So innovative and original.... well never see anything like them again.

[@jeffclement2468]

Actually Jefferson Airplane did the same thing...rooftop concert, in Dec.'68 Filmed by Jean Luc Godard in New York

[@garychambers5850]

My Sister and her Husband took me to the Drive-In Theater to see this. The summer of 1970. I seen it again with my buddies a few months later in an indoor theater and much better sound then the car Radio. Being a Beatles fan since 1964, I loved anything and everything Beatles. They could do no wrong. And to me they did no wrong! I loved watching them in this environment! I got to see John, Paul, George & Ringo talking, rehearsing songs, yelling at each other.(I didnt like the Paul & George argument)..I can't wait for the "new" Get Back" documentary to come out... 🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️

[@popgoesthe60s52]

What a great way to see this - a drive in! Yes the new Peter Jackson cut looks promising.

[@paulcyberpaul]

I saw this film in a theatre when it was released. One of my fondest memories of the Beatles

[@elchichosantana6410]

Was it grainy in theatrical released?

[@paulcyberpaul]

@@elchichosantana6410 No, it was glorious on the big screen.

[@marvk7210]

Matt-- Pardon me for over-engaging on this: I know it's an older vid, but I got opinions. Generally, I am thoroughly enjoying your Beatles commentaries. You come off as a "fan" as opposed to a "fanboy" (if that makes any sense), and you try to give fair play to history, which I appreciate. You come off like an art critic - that may be a better way to put it. I was fortunate enough to see the film in an arts film house in about 1978-80 - I was 11-12 at the time. With no idea what to expect, it was a bummer of a film on first viewing. I have a MUCH better appreciation of it and find it far more interesting today as a musician who has logged plenty of studio time. Those tense moments - Paul to George during "Two Of Us" and John's disengagement from "I Me Mine" - I can appreciate them in a "yep, I've seen THAT" manner today. And ballads in general leave me flat - just not my thing - so my favorite part of the film was/is the rooftop. A note for you - the sync issue could be your bootleg. Over the summer 2020, I tracked down a TON of 'boots,' audio and video. I found several sources for this film, and only ONE out of about 15 were properly synced.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for that update, Marvk. Yes, the viewing experience of that film certainly left me flat. I got so much more clarity when listening to the actual nagra reels, which then inspired my subsequest Get Back / Let It Be sessions videos. I am looking forward to the re-release of the Michael Lindsay Hogg, which I hear may be early next year? Thanks again, Marvk!

[@bobtaylor170]

I always thought that McCartney's idea to film a few hit 'n' run surprise Beatles appearances/impromptu gigs at clubs throughout Britain was spectacular. I would have loved to have that movie!

[@dabreu]

I also saw it in the theater in 1971. I didn't like the photography. Full of dots. Dirty. It didn't seem to be professional indeed. But I was not disappointed because it was great to be there feeling we were in their company, in the studio with them. I had this feeling I was there! I remember the theater was crowded and people singing along and having a great time.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That experience was what I was hoping for with the Peter Jackson Get Back. Maybe there will be a theatrical release some day. Thank you for the comment, Virginia!

[@paulkieran2308]

The Beatles wanted full control and that is why the film is so substandard. Similar problem with Magical Mystery Tour. What this project really needed was a strong director who was not beholden to the artists. Think of the Maysleys Brothers who did Gimme Shelter or D.A. Pennebaker who made Don't Look Back.

[@carlmassengale1027]

When the film was originally released, fans dug it. A Beatles movie was the hippest thing happening. By that time we were not so naive we couldn't handle the gents at their mundane, real level. Everyone had grown and developed as they had. The contemporary generation recognized the privilege of observing the Beatles engaged in the process of forging songs and an album. In general the movie was not experienced as sad and dark. I think a lot of that baggage was strapped on to it gradually over the ensuing years.

[@CarmenCiotti]

7:00 this scene was also featured in Imagine: John Lennon from 1988

[@BioFactory1]

LOL.When did it appear on TV or get released? Maybe outside the US? I got into the Beatles in the early 80's as music slowly started to suck as MTV began to fade in. By the time I knew of Let It Be movie, all there was to find was the straight to rental stores early 80's VHS. I had to make a VHS copy of that - good thing I dod because someone rented and stole the tape. Made my own VCD copy of my VHS copy in the 90's

[@musicmann1967]

It's funny, I've owned this movie in bootleg form a couple of times. Often I would start watching and decide not to continue after a little while because it has such a bummer vibe to it. I wound up not watching it very much as a result. I'm SO interested to see the Peter Jackson version, which seems to be going for a more balanced portrayal of the sessions.

[@mebeasensei]

I would love you to do a series on The Kinks and their records. I think they were influential and their arc was an interesting one that wove through the hills and valleys, clouds and twists of the 60s before becoming a bland rock arena concert band in the 70s.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I do have a video planned for their 60s era history. It will probably be a three - part series. Thanks for the request!

[@timothyflyte9443]

If you're doing the kinks do everyone lol DC5. , Herman Hermits , Gerry & the Pacemakers , The Searchers etc. Then hit on some 60s US bands ..the four seasons , Paul Revere & The Raiders. I enjoy your over views of the ones you've done so far. Great Channel.

[@mebeasensei]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I would like you to select ‘a year’ when the sixties really ended? Sometimes I think it is ‘68, sometimes ‘71 even ‘72, and sometimes really early in 1970, when heroin flooded America’s street culture.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@mebeasensei Altamont and the Manson murders seem to be a logical end which puts it August-December, 1969. In America, it seems like the larger metro areas moved on earlier where as in the mid west, in retrospect anyway, that the 60s ended closer to 1971 in terms of pop culture.

[@mebeasensei]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Thanks for that...obviously the language is still with us...I guess...I guess I could have said, ‘cool, thanks’.

[@simplechronology2605]

I first saw this in a theater in 1981, and I got it as a Xmas gift from my parents on Beta either that year or the next. Your review is spot-on. It is one of the dullest movies ever made; dark, dreary, barely audible, depressing. The band sounds awful except during the rooftop segment, where they finally come alive a bit. I don't think I've even attempted to watch the film in the last 30 years or so; it is just so dismal and dreary. When I heard the new one will be 6 hours of this stuff, I shuddered. If I want to see the rooftop footage, I have a special edit of only that to watch, but I can live the rest of my life without being locked up with the Beatles in Twickenham and feel quite fulfilled.

[@thomas5]

I'm looking forward to Get Back in a few months. From the sneak peak they released in December, it looks like it should be pretty good.

[@maxcool7351]

Big Beatle fan here. What this movie lacks is ANY emotion connection, ANY quality investment between band and audience. The source material is as sterile, static, and uninspiring as convenience store security footage. Peter Jackson won't be able to restore entertainment where none is present.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I think we may be surprised. It appears that much of the left over footage, unused in the original film, shows the Beatles in a more emotive state. Consider that Michael Lindsay Hogg was given the direction to do a "warts and all" treatment. He may have gone too far trying to be edgy and "counter culture-like." Not having seen it, I am only basing this on the preview Jackson showed. We shall see. Thanks for the comment, Mark!

[@maxcool7351]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I was just listening to 'Here You Go, Eddie' from these sessions, and decided to pick up my guitar and strum my version of it to my friend Lucy, who is NOT a Beatle fan at all. Surprisingly, she loved it. Perhaps the new stronger focus on these playful and creative moments will finally bring success to this mishandled project. I am back on board!

[@Monkofmagnesia]

I was 20 in 1982 when I saw the film on a very young HBO.

[@BeatlemadMike9]

Funny story...Back in the late 80's, there was a video store in my hometown(before Blockbuster arrived) that had a VHS copy of "LIB." Every time you would rent a video they would write the title/s down on a big index card. So after a couple of months, my index card showed I rented "LIB" AND only "Let It Be" about 12 times. After I returned the tape, the guy behind the counter said , looking at my card "Wow, next time you should make a copy of it." After another week or so and borrowing another VHS player to make a copy, I returned to the store and to my dismay...the store closed. So I'm really looking forward to its re-release in 2021

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, I had to buy a bootleg copy and the quality was lousy. I can't wait to see both versions in 2021! Thanks for the comment.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

I remember seeing this in Sydney Australia in the early 80's. It was totally depressing. I have warned Beatle fans since that, watch it at your own peril!

[@91dodgespiritrt]

"Let It Be" is a film that simply shows a "phenomenon" at the point of it's subsequent demise and "break-up". We eventually realized that it's demise was simply because the individual Beatles did not like living in the "fish bowl" that was being in "The Beatles". Their "swan song" was the greatest album of all time , "Abbey Road". There is little enthusiasm in "Let It Be", but it accurately shows the songwriting and rehearsal "processes" in a recording studio. It should be regarded as a great landmark documentary film for that reason alone. It shows Paul McCartney as the driving force of the Beatles with great - unselfish - band contributors, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. It also shows that John Lennon was obviously bored by it all. It also shows why The Beatles were - and still are - the greatest band of all time. They were great songwriters, musicians and performers. They knew their "CRAFT" more than most others at the time or since. Take that "jealous" Mister Quincy Jones. Billy Preston comes off like a hostage victim in "Let It Be". Ha, ha! He is never introduced and his comments are non-existent. He just appears and plays - like a "hostage" but a happy "hostage". It seems that his presence in the movie is actually for some other unknown (possibly political) reason other than contributing "organ" parts and playing with the Beatles. No doubt, his appearing with the Beatles gave his career a GIANT boost. The movie also shows the Brits as "cool, calm and stiff upper lipped" as the Beatles performed their rooftop concert sequence. Too bad they have degenerated into the "royal" liberal "nonsensical new world order climate dopes" they they are today.

[@rjaraneta913]

I saw the film at a Wednesday midnight showing in Concord, CA during the very late 70s or very early 80's. It was dark, had poor lighting and the sound was horrible, the movie speakers rattled, but it was not as bad as what you have on your bootleg. I would like to have a cleaned up visual and audio release of this movie, along with the new 'Get Back' version.

[@raulmacias1311]

George was gone a couple of days? He was gone for 11 days. George got fed up with John deferring to his mother Yoko Ono to speak for him at Beatles meetings?

[@jeffclement2979]

Isn't that when George visited Dylan and the Band in Woodstock? Had a whale of a good time...then returned to the drudgery back home Or what he called "the winter of our discontent"

[@raulmacias1311]

@@jeffclement2979 Actually, George stayed at Bob Dylan's home in Woodstock in late 1968, after the release of the "White Album", and was summoned back to England by McCartney to work on his brainstorm The Get Back project which began on January 2,1969 at Twickenham Studios the sight of former Beatles triumphs - Help! was filmed there and the Hey Jude and Revolution Promotional Films were also filmed there. Can you imagine the misery George Harrison was subjected to having to return to freezing England on the second day of the year to hang out with a couple of miserable Heroin addicts John and his mother Yoko, a bossy drill sergeant Paul McCartney and an indifferent Ringo Starr who never said one word during the whole movie!

[@sittingonafrootloop3940]

George left for 5 days, had a discussion with the others to move studios, stopped recording until the 21st and then moved on from there

[@raulmacias1311]

@@sittingonafrootloop3940 Great point! The Beatles were on hiatus, with George back in the band, between January 16,1969 ~ January 21,1969. Interestingly, the Doug Sulpy/Ray Schweighardt book ~ "GET BACK THE UNAUTHORIZED CHRONICLE OF THE BEATLES LET IT BE DISASTER" makes no mention of the January 21,1969 session.

[@amtlpaul]

It seems the Beatles were used to Michael Lindsey- Hogg, since he had directed videos for them (including the "Hey Jude" and "Revolution" videos just a few months earlier) and the original intention was not to make a feature film. So that would be why he directed this. But possibly no one had really considered the challenges of filming a band in rehearsal. If they're not performing for the cameras but actually focused on rehearsing, then they're not going to be focused on making sure the crew gets good sound for everything, for example, especially when they're having a disagreement. Perhaps at the time they thought the focus would be mostly on the final performance anyway, with just a bit of 'making of' to set things up.

[@susammarks8502]

I remember this in 1970 I am so happy for the return. ENJOY

[@candelise]

I am surprised that you went through the whole of the Eighties and never saw this film. In London there were various repertory cinemas that showed the film every so often. It was shown on TV in the mid Seventies also. I personally never really thought of the movie as some miserable tombstone for the band. It is a rough looking documentary which, in a way, matches the stripped back feel of what was , supposedly, intended with the album. I suspect that D A Pennabaker, for example, would not have made it look that different either. However, it is nice to see things a little brighter than before. Many years ago, I read a book on The Beatles in which the writer hoped that the film would be cut showing a more rounded view of the period and I think that we got that and more with Peter Jacksons' Get Back documentary series. Now, let's have the film on Blu-ray/DVD or whatever, with the whole rooftop performance and at least two further hours of footage not seen in either Let It Be OR the Get Back documentary. Then we will really have something worth discussing. Don't tell me THAT wouldn't fly off the shelf! It's The Beatles, for goodness sake!!

[@1972mercurycougar]

I too, was thankful, they finished up on a good note, with, "Abby Road"😊👍

[@raulmacias1311]

John was such an unreasonable pain in the ass insisting that his mother Yoko Ono be right by his side!

[@neilfranklin5644]

We used to say yoko oh no !

[@Neil-Aspinall]

Yes it proves John's extreme insecurity.

[@13THBEATLE]

@@Neil-Aspinall and in love

[@Neil-Aspinall]

@@13THBEATLE See above:

[@terrytheman3317]

And Paul wasn't the little prick in the ass that made everybody wanna quit...Ringo being first, George second, and then John????

[@bobburroughs6241]

Interesting that this is all before Jackson's Get Back.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

Can not wait for the film hope for more footage I haven’t seen thanks for this 🙏

[@ricardo_miguel13]

Visually I like the twickenham studios more, with the colours a nice cinematic and 60s like background

[@Thomas_H_Sears]

I LOVED Let It Be, watching the theatrical release in company with a bizarre short on the US Naval diver setting the free breath-hold depth record. I have missed the 'reel' of old-timey rock-and-roll with Billy Preston, it was fantastic, will it be included in Jackson's - one can hope.

[@LearnMusclescom]

BTW, I got a copy of the film on DVD about 5+ years ago from Canada.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I can't wait to upgrade my copy this fall.

[@carlmassengale1027]

Maybe a year or so before this video review was released, I watched Let It Be on youtube. An aspect that I hadn't taken particular notice of years before was now indeed conspicuous: whoever cut the original movie seemed pehaps unconsciously infatuated with Paul. I'm a Paul fan, but the scenes were in some cases one Paul-focussed segment directly followed by another. The proportion of screen time devoted to Paul appeared heavily weighted in his favor, to an extent hard to dispute or ignore. That realization translated as an unfortunate flaw in the film to me.

[@JustAnotherBlader]

I remember I had 2 copies of this on VHS and was so disappointed with the audio and video quality

[@jahnbon]

I claimed my Aunt's copy of the Dr No soundtrack in 1967, when I was 5 years old. I still have it, and still love it. I always enjoy seeing what you have in the racks, there's always a record I adore back there! Also: I have a much better copy of Let It Be, and I'd be happy to drop-box it to you.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank for the offer Jahn, but I am planning to purchase the re-release in August, for which I am really excited about!

[@jahnbon]

:@@popgoesthe60s52 You're welcome. Love the site, your research is top-notch. Keep 'em coming!

[@Hotsk]

I saw the film in a German movie theater in the early 1980's. It was terribly disappointing, and yes, after more than 40 years I still remember how terrible the lighting was--my memories are full of dark scenes, difficult to understand dialogue, poor sound quality and crappy musicianship. This upset me because everything The Beatles had previously done--as well as everything they did after the break-up--had always been top quality, first class--much like Walt Disney. I agree with you: It was not up to Beatles' standards!

[@TheNoisylover]

We'd all give a tooth to see films of EMI # 2 sessions, huh?

[@GeorgeMolitor-g5b]

My copy of Let It Be is very good . I'm not sure if you herd about Mel , he work with the Beatles on the Let It Be , The Beatles kept him busy writing the lyrics of the songs and did some other stuff as well . I think it was in L A , Mel lost his mar bells , the police went to Mel house and Mel answer the door with a BB rifle in his hands so the police shot Mel dead . From what I hear is none of the Beatles or George Martin show up for Mel funeral which is very sad

[@spockboy]

I see you have the After The Fox soundtrack on your shelf. Great Burt Bacharach music.

[@ZJ-ne9kn]

Crazy what restoring does to a movie after seeing the first part of get back dont even look like the same footage 😯

[@whenifeellow]

I really enjoy your videos man, thanks.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

I had never seen the film. I guess I didn't miss anything.

[@raulmacias1311]

BEATLES In Their Own Words Compiled by Miles The Films Let It Be. John Lennon: It was hell making the film Let It Be. When it came out a lot of people complained about Yoko looking miserable in it. But even the biggest Beatle fan couldn't have sat through those six weeks of misery. It was the most miserable session on earth."

[@iwerning]

Is the synced rooftop video from one take or are they combining several takes? I sometimes feel it is live, but sometimes feel it isn’t. So if they combined video from several takes that would explain it. Separate question, in the film are they using the audio from one take on the rooftop, or using audio recorded in studio? (I’ve loved finding your channel, everything about it is amazing, the topic, the takes and the simple behind the desk style, sipping drinks. Don’t change a thing!)

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Off the top of my head, I am not sure of the actual takes used but I would bet there is some editing going on there. Thanks for the nice compliment - more to come!

[@Ratelzwatel]

The rooftop concert had five different songs in total. And I guess that was planned. After they stopped due to the police, they had performed 'Get Back' for the 3rd time! The reality is much less dramatic than in the movie, performing multiple takes. Three times of 'Get Back' in the same concert must get a bit boring. Apparently, it's not like the police came in before they could finish their intended setlist. The complete rooftop concert was a like studio session in the open air. Not really a "concert". Wikipedia: The rooftop concert consisted of nine takes of five Beatles songs: three takes of "Get Back"; two takes each of "Don't Let Me Down" and "I've Got a Feeling"; and one take each of "One After 909" and "Dig a Pony". The set was performed in the following order:[15] "Get Back" (take one) "Get Back" (take two) "Don't Let Me Down" (take one) "I've Got a Feeling" (take one) "One After 909" "Dig a Pony" "I've Got a Feeling" (take two) "Don't Let Me Down" (take two) "Get Back" (take three) source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles%27_rooftop_concert

[@Ratelzwatel]

Just for completeness, also from Wikipedia: There were also brief jams of "God Save the Queen" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" while sound engineer Parsons changed tapes.[20]

[@johnnypocknee2842]

Hi Matt the one thing about Let It Be was when they recorded The Long and Winding Road it was a great version Billy Preston on Gamond Organ so why spoil it on the Album with strings

[@epilobia1]

It's actually a great statement , it telling the world your on your own - don't rely on us to keep you going , we're the same as you ' not just what the image makers and song lyrics tell you . Here , have a big dose of all the bad stuff going on . Poor world now starts thinking it's all gone wrong . Wrong , some of the best music ever came out of the Beatles split , including a lot of bamds who no longer had to exist in their shadows ..... Ram , masterwork , All Things Must Pass and Concert for Bangladesh , Magic Christian , and of course War is Over Merry Christmas .

[@alafenetre81]

I don't think the audio we hear for the roof top concert is the live audio. And there's clear difference at the very end of Get Back for instance when the live sound is heard.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Wow, looking at these clips of the original footage, Peter Jackson did an amazing job sprucing up the video.and audio.