The Beatles Get Back: what a treat!

in my hurry to do a short video i forgot to thank Peter Jackson….truly from one fan to another thanks a million!

[@aisey100]

I'm not the biggest Beatles fan in the world and I thought I'd find it a slog but I absolutely loved every second of it. Brilliant, brilliant stuff. Too see Paul strumming away with the earliest moments of creating Get Back was quite something. Incredible. Too many other moments to mention. I'm probably a bigger Beatles fan now after watching it. 18 hour director's cut you say? BRING IT ON!!!!

[@lumpygravy52]

"Where are we going boys? Why, to the toppermost of the poppermost!"

[@beatleytonesbeatleschannel]

I feel like we've just watched a really long episode of Big Brother where the Beatles are the contestants. We see them at work, at play, writing songs on the hoof, eavesdrop their conversations- conversations that we have no right to hear. Just absolutely brilliant from start to finish and with only a tiny element of bias - this is probably the greatest music documentary ever made - magnificent in every way. Hats off to Peter Jackson for the quality of the footage , same to Giles Martin for the mixing of the soundtrack. Now its all over, I feel kind of empty and ready now to see a few more hours of the bits Jackson left off.

[@andrewmeyer3423]

The most amazing film I’ve ever seen. How many do you see that truly transport you to another time and place and completely change the view you had on a piece of music history you’ve been obsessed with for decades. A revelation!

[@benmeltzer]

Aside from the tremedous service to Beatles fans Peter Jackson has provided (I suspect at a price, meaning he could have earned more money doing other things); I was struck by something Paul McCartney said. He said all these years he had been carrying the burden of feeling as though he had been an overly bossy jerk during the project, and now that weight has been lifted from his shoulders. For that alone Jackson deserves a medal.

[@aidanlynn]

Hopefully the original 1970 film gets a blu-ray release too to bring everything full circle.

[@mikekaylor1226]

I've been very anxious to see your review, because I knew how it would warm your heart. It really is a revelation to see the guys as people, as well as seeing how they write songs. They are also incredible musicians, better than anyone gives them credit for.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Great comment, John. I am in my second viewing. This is the gift that keeps on giving and I suspect we'll talking about this for years to come.

[@thisisrsoul]

Off topic but you two are some of my favorite youtubers.

[@Twotontessie]

It was incredible. Full stop.

[@matttokley8215]

Saving it for Christmas - can't wait, Beatles, the Ashes and the darts 🙂

[@Wayner71]

This was an inspirational video John. It's always great to experience the riches manifest in Beatles history. This documentary is a multi-layered gift.

[@nigelwood699]

A wonderful experience. Felt like I spent three days with them. Tells us more than any book. Love them more now!

[@Aris-wi9ze]

John, that documentary is so rich with interesting moments and so many topics can be derived from it, you could actually make a hundred videos about it. It is really monumental as you said. My key takeaways (and I'd like your opinion on them): 1) At that point, it is clear that Paul is the driving force behind the band, which we knew, but it becomes even clearer now. 2) Something that we actually didn't know (at least the extend of it) is that, at that point, George was the main component of instability within the band. Not only did he leave the band, but his overall attitude was really negative. a) he was constantly negative about any ideas and he was looking for excuses to reject all of them. b) his comment about India is astonishing to me. c) what he had to say about the Rooftop concert was: "No more rooftops. It was really bad." d) he was a contrarian to the point that he was being silly, and John and Paul were not reacting to some of his comments out of fear of him leaving again. That's my opinion. 3) John was in a really great mood all of the time and very witty and sharp. I always thought that, at that point, he was not enjoying being in the band anymore. But the doc shows that this was not the case. 4) For me the most important thing was, we finally saw visual footage of the Beatles playing songs that we had never seen before: She came in through the bathroom window, Martha my Dear, Old Brown Shoe, Something, beginning of Jealous Guy, beginning of Back Seat of my Car and many more. It is incredible!

[@evertvdb000]

is it possible that marriage problems did impact George's mood in the first week of january 1969?. George's negativity is however part of his personality (fi his view of Geoff Emerick), but he did gave everything on the Abbey Road album. So maybe John and Paul ignored George's negative commentary, because they knew it was just talk, and that in the end, he would give 100%

[@georgepetroff867]

The background to the rooftop gives me a greater appreciation of the Let it Be album. I thought John and George showed what kindred spirits they were and what great singers, musicians, composers and performers they were. Two such talented individuals.

[@schubertuk]

I loved watching it too! I was also surprised as to how much time was really given over to the chance of a live performance rather than merely just performing songs for an LP. I was also heartened as to how much Yoko was (i) clearly a non-issue re antagonising other Beatles and (ii) actually fitting in very well with many of the other guests -- in particular Linda Eastman. In summary - I just loved how much fun the FAB FOUR had making some of my favourite music!

[@johngalt5411]

I'm on my second watch & enjoying it as much as I did on the first pass. It really is a wonderful gift to Beatles fans. I would LOVE to see the 18 hour cut & pay a decent price for it too. The rooftop performance is amazing, so full of energy. Minor quip, would be nice to watch it without the street camera cuts.

[@BigSky1]

I agree. Just want to see and hear the songs with one camera facing the roof

[@stepheng1690]

Without doubt the greatest rock documentary ever with the real story told that believe me dispelled many myths of what really went on John! The main thing for me was the love for each other shown which proves the original Get Back movie was edited to paint McCartney in a poor light & as for any fall outs between him & George now we've seen (and heard) the true story so what as we all have fall outs at work with colleagues & just remember the Beatles were working here!! Watching songs being born before our very eyes was astonishing & of the 4 Beatles John was most definitely the most up for it.... I'm no Yoko fan but didn't mind her being there & the lighthearted footage of Linda & Heather was fine by me & as for the rooftop concert.... Wow!! Musical perfection by the greatest band ever.

[@wobind72]

I cried - in a few places watching all 3 episodes and I don’t really know why… found the whole experience really overwhelming.

[@johnpbh]

I agree with you about the podcast with Peter Jackson. Up until I saw that I hadn't realised that he was as much a Beatles anorak as all of us. No better man could have been chosen to make this amazing documentary. And yes... aren't we all hoping that the the 18 hour cut sees the light of day. One lovely touch, among many, were the notations on the screen to indicate when a filmed performance was the one on the album.

[@candelise]

I am with you 100% about putting pressure on Disney for an 18 hour cut of this documentary. There are, to put it mildly, more than a substantial amount of hardcore fans who want this, to make it worthwhile. The market is there. It's THE BEATLES, for goodness' sake!

[@christopherfletcher5384]

I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves And I hope we passed the audition.

[@offtherealm5438]

Thank You John Heaton for the wonderful recap.

[@leesharra1413]

You start with a John Lennon song reference and end with a Paul McCartney song reference. Agree that it's a wonderful show and I too will watch it many times.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Thank you John. I loved it too. ✌️🇨🇦

[@Bobmacca64]

Hi John. Great video as always. Can't wait for this to come out on DVD/ Blu-Ray.

[@Axess-sv8nq]

I said the same thing about when Billy Preston showed up. I could see that George was getting into a dark mood again with all the faffing about that John and Paul were doing. Fooling around is all well and good - and being a musician myself, I've done plenty of it at practices, etc. But, you could see that George - and also Ringo - were losing their patience and getting bored sitting around. So, when Billy Preston showed up, the spirit returned. Also, when Heather McCartney showed up, that lightened up the mood a great deal as she was bouncing off all the walls, imitating Yoko, etc.

[@tonylaughlin6663]

Nice, concise recap. Well done. A great gift from Peter Jackson for sure!!

[@Edd1eP_123]

As life long Beatles fans we’ll be watching this documentary for years and years to come. Fascinating stuff and everything I hoped it would be! Cheers for your thoughts John.

[@simonandrewx]

I thought of you when George discuses 'maybe I need to go and do me for a bit'. Didn't he achieve that... and how! This hopefully rewrites some of the ideas about John and Yoko too. I loved the "I've had wine, remember Bob Wooler!" made me laugh.

[@frommetoyou1981]

Wasnt it marvellous? It exceeded all of my expectations......

[@DaveKingMusic]

Been looking forward to this! Thanks for the tip on the Peter Jackson interview.

[@dennisosborne4368]

Yeh I too loved the commonwealth song which I think was the genesis of Get Back and John,s "yes" was hilarious . The film contradicts everything about these sessions I have read including from Lennon. Unless its very cleverly edited the Beatles are getting along just fine , there is an incredible amount of fooling around . The thing that struck me was when rehearsing and writing the telepathic relationship between John and Paul . They seem to be always looking at each other , feeding off of each other and George and even more so Ringo are peripheral. I also longed to see Paul or John encourage George more . He had songs like Something and All Things must pass up his sleeve and they should have realised their potential and greatness and encouraged George to get em on the album.

[@paulsurelynotsmith8179]

Will get round to view it John from your enthusiasm sounds fantastic I wouldn’t doubt that for a second it just shows the Beatles will always be relevant after all this time looking forward to watching great stuff John

[@philipmorris6427]

I really think it changes the perception of that period, or at least changes mine. Yes the tension was there but so was the desire to still perform as a group.

[@nervo6321]

It was beautiful to watch...cant believe all this footage has been gatgering dust for 50 years !

[@Gothic55]

It was brilliant

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Nicely done John. I haven't seen it yet - we get Disney + later this month!

[@bobbybannerman2853]

HI JOHN GREAT COMMENTS ON THE GET BACK FILM. IT WAS A GREAT FILM. TAKE CARE.

[@SteveM-ly7oy]

Well done John, your sentiments echo ours and I was interested in your take on it.

[@blackbaron0]

The 18 hour version will be released. I suspect Peter Jackson mentioned it to see the responce and Disney said no for the same reason. I'm in the queue.

[@bluerhumba1753]

John leaning his head into the others after George leaves, George confiding to John that he wants to do an album & John (&Yoko) being broadly supportive, John unintentionally intimidating Peter Sellars, Paul running through unfinished songs on the piano, Ringo remaining tight-lipped as Paul admonishes him for bashing too hard during a run-through of Let it Be so little Heather (the guilty party) doesn’t get into trouble, Glyn Johns nailing Allen Klein to a starry eyed Lennon, Magic Alex’s prototype bass/ rhythm guitar, the looks on everyone’s face when Billy Preston joins in, Mal Evans just in general...on and on. Initially I felt it was way too long but on reflection I couldn’t care less.

[@keriford54]

I so loved it when Ringo refused to rat on Heather, one of my favourite moments, I have seen very few comments about it.

[@tricornclub9594]

Great for us fans to feast on, not so sure about how great it was to try to come up with a bunch of new songs under the constant scrutiny of the cameras. Says a lot for their relationship and their resolve that they managed to eke something decent out of the sessions, even if the original goal proved a project too far.

[@paulsurelynotsmith8179]

Just some feedback on peter Jackson’s get back wow! Finally got to see part 1 spellbinding from start to Finnish utterly gripped a must for us Beatles fans I’ll get through the series I Let you know my full synopsis when viewed the full lot but the 1st one truly wow sir

[@albundy666]

Loved it. A couple things you didn't mention. Paul strumming his Hofner bass furiously as he tries to develop Get Back in real time. Heather McCartney wailing into a mike as she imitates Yoko. Even though I've heard it before, I still laugh when George sings the opening line of Something, about a cauliflower. I was practically cheering when Paul finally came up with "JoJo left his home in Tucson Arizona for some California grass" Felt like I was in an alternate dimension and that line never materialized. Glyn Johns talking down Allen Klein. John an Paul singing "Two of Us" through clenched teeth. John was more jovial and joking around than I would have thought. Ringo was less, always professional.

[@trevordixon1427]

Well done ....as always.,.

[@offtherealm5438]

I want a London Underground tee shirt too!......cept with the station: Hobb's End.

[@goldenears9748]

John oh John. We are true brothers of this band. I’m looking forward to a 4k blu ray release. I watched these episodes same day as you did. Truly amazing !

[@astrosjer822]

John I agree 100%. Disney has come across as anti-physical media as they push their streaming channel. Many of us still buy CD’s/Vinyl/Blu-Ray etc.

[@simonandrewx]

They won't get far being anti hard copy with this fanbase. I had all week, casual fans thinking it was too long and who buys cds and dvds or BR anymore... "Me! I do... gimme all 50 hours Peter! I sat through Rings and Hobbit, you owe us!"

[@candelise]

@@simonandrewx "You owe us"? I am sure that Peter Jackson is on board with a release. You've got to tell that to Disney!

[@mrjohnmiffed1987]

I am confused! I went to the Leeds Hmv store today to, I hoped, buy the Get Back dvd. They said Disney had only released it on Blue-Ray in the UK. Amazon seem to be selling a dvd version - I suppose this is an import? Do you have any inside info John? I don't have access to Disney or a Blue Ray player. Do I have to buy a Blue Ray player just so I can watch Get Back? John, Leeds

[@georgealexander141]

I’ve always loved the Michael Lindsey-Hogg film. The process of creating an album wasfacsinating to me. My favorite Beatles film. One aspect I like about this longer version is that George Martin appears more and seems an integral part of the process, whereas before it just showed him shaking the Marakas.

[@conorcorkrum7608]

After watching this 8 hour plus documentary, the Glyn Johns mix makes a lot more sense; not saying it's better than the Spector version, but it is much more representative of what actually went on; more a soundtrack to the movie, which I like

[@seanatteberry3686]

I've had an, "import," copy of the Glyn Johns mix for years. When I got it, I played that more than the Let It Be album. That is until Let It Be, Naked came out.

[@dominicjordan7503]

Hi John, I've really got into your videos over the last week or so - you are a man after my own heart! Absolutely loved "Get Back", particularly the rooftop sequence intersped with the bobbies and Mal/Debbie stalling them at the reception desk. "One After 909" is such a solid rock n' roller on the roof, as is Get Back. John, are you into the Beach Boys at all? Would you consider doing a video on their discography? Cheers, Dom

[@cowantom]

What struck me was the place of Ringo in all of this. He was on top form - as usual - as a drummer, but otherwise could have been a session player sitting on, for all he otherwise contributed in either contributing to the creative process or even as a personality. He spent most of his non-playing time dislocated (and I don't just mean in the sense of being behind a drum kit) from the others and otherwise staring into space. He said virtually nothing over the 8+ hours. Was he very unhappy, deliberately, but passively, not co-operating or was he generally more distant from the others than we have always believed? At no stage do the others encourage his involvement or ask his opinion, or encourage him to join in the fun they were latterly having, so whilst we may put this down to the specific context, it didn't seem to stand out for the others as unusual. they made no effort to engage him - only George briefly with his Octupuss's Garden, and as soon as John arrived and ignored it they moved on. Ringo's apparent place with them was the thing that struck me the most about the whole thing.

[@bassmanjez3842]

I was particularly intrigued by the Allen Klein discussion and Glyn John’s ringing alarm bells. Plus Ringo naively saying he’s a conman but he’s on our side was particularly telling.

[@bibsteenson]

I Fully agree John. I was a little worried having read Alex Patridis article in the Groiniad, but his review is so off the mark you begin to question his motives, or musical credibility. This is a triumph for all Beatles fans, not just the hardcore, and dispels the myths so clearly see that the band did not break up in January but seeds were being sown.

[@johnmc3862]

There's no 'Across the Universe' on it, it will be on the extended cut methinks.

[@stefanredelsteinerexperien5957]

haha, that intro got me thinking; well, i hope I will be still alive in about a years time, that would really be absoulutely tragic, since i am waiting for the bluray-release next year; I don't have disney+ and don't want to subscribe just for that one thing, which means i haven't seen it and have to wait for the physical release; hoping for a big extended version like he did with LOTR (not expecting an 18 hour directors cut though, but would be awesome of course) + restauration of the original LIB movie that goes along with it. Until then i guess i will rewatch the little clips on youtube over and over again...

[@PretzelLogic]

when I watched Get Back, I was continually living in fear of what Glyn Johns will be wearing when he puts in his next appearance. I don't think he featured too much on Let It Be. We now know why

[@750drums]

Certainly a market for 18 hrs. Disney needs to make it happen.

[@johnmc3862]

The 18hr will be a stand alone release prob not Disney.

[@750drums]

@@johnmc3862 As long as someone does it.

[@goldenears9748]

And Peter Sellers ….. wow

[@thereunionparty]

Three conversations stand out for me :- 1) Paul saying that Yoko is really ok and how people will find it incredible and comical in 50 years time that the Beatles broke up because Yoko sat on an amp. 2) George telling John that he's got loads of songs and if he waits to get his standard allocation on Beatles' albums it will take years, so he's going to release them on a solo album (while still remaining in the Beatles). John says it sounds like a good idea. 3) Glyn Johns trying to warn John Lennon that Allan Klein might not be quite as marvellous as John thinks he is. Also, how about a shout out for Jimmy Clark and Debbie Wellum, doorman and receptionist respectively at 3 Savile Row, who managed to obstruct the "blue meanies" for so long through a mixture of obfuscation, procrastination and feigned ignorance?

[@fwnfaa]

I would like it on cd, great record🎸🎹

[@karenjones1543]

We do have the videos of Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road on the one plus DVD that came out in 2015 . Only Two of Us we don’t have.

[@johnheaton5667]

true

[@dennisosborne4368]

I have only seen clips but they were much more friendly than history has prior informed us . I think things deteriorated quickly in 1969 due to the Klein issue rather than personal or musical differences. Arguably without Klein arriving on the scene and the 3:1 split the break up would have been more harmonious and they might have worked together again in the 70,s . We will never know sadly

[@paulshotter2094]

The Beatles get back classic song from them good stuff

[@JJDoole]

Yeah, major disappointment that no complete versions of THE THREE BEST SONGS were included. Baffling.

[@evertvdb000]

yes, but now we know there's a blu ray coming)

[@fredfat3128]

mccartney mentions early on in the documentary about possibly playing on the roof

[@1nelsondj]

Another thing Disney never does is put dates on their DVDs, why is that?!! As for the series I've only seen the first 2 parts, had to take a break in the middle of the 2nd one, Lennon's energy got to be a bit much and McCartney reading the paper in an unfunny voice got old really fast. George either talked too much at times or sat silent, like Ringo at other times. He could have been more sensitive in dealing with Paul. The "Unauthorized Get Back" book summarized things very well I think with the access they had, the new film has even more access. The group really did need a manager but it should have been one they could all agree on. It was shocking how a week before the performance they still hadn't decided where to hold it. I liked Mal Evans in this, seems like a really sweet guy, Billy Preston too, he's smiling throughout and giving wonderful keyboard fills.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

I’m a huge Beatles fan, but I’m struggling with the sheer volume of material, as it is now.

[@fittobetiedyed5315]

To be honest, there's no way this new documentary doesn't replace the old Let It Be movie. The whole tone and message of Let It Be has been invalidated. Aside from the January 31 basement recordings, which you mentioned, the original film has no Historic value any longer.

[@johnheaton5667]

i know that’s what you think Paul but i still love the original movie and think it has its place!

[@DMMarch]

Watched it but dont think I will be watching it again and again lol. One thing that was slightly irritating was not hearing songs played all the way through, especially near their finished state.

[@evertvdb000]

of course there a market for the 18h cut!

[@justlookingaround9834]

I agree, I would pay a small fortune for more footage 18hrs or more!

[@PeKe999]

Hi John, It is a solid documentary. But, being a big Beatles fan myself, at some moments I thought this scene is too long. Getting more than 7 hours of Get Back Sessios is great, but for me I had wanted the theatrival version. But maybe we get that in 2022 when they release this Get Back documentary end hopefully with the original Let It Be movie as a bonus bluray. This weekend I'm gonna watch it again, maybe my view will change.

[@eddiemiles7676]

We need the Director's cut!

[@jaysinger535]

This past Monday was the 20th anniversary of George Harrison’s death.

[@richardstokes1290]

It must have been so painful for Cynthia assuming she listened to Lennon singing about Yoko 'I'm in love for the first time' on Don't let me down.

[@maxwelleddison6717]

There might be a Directors cut but Disney won't get it. That will be the USP for a DVD/blueray

[@pepper1706]

In the UK can you watch it after the initial 3 days? After November 27? I dont want to miss it.

[@michaelashton5353]

Yes you can watch it after the 27th as I have just watched part 3 today. Enjoy.

[@pepper1706]

@@michaelashton5353 Cheers, thought I'd missed out.

[@adrianburn7178]

An historical 'what if?' What if George hadn't come back and Eric Clapton had joined the band (as John Lennon briefly suggested)? Would Eric have extended the life of the Beatles for a few more years? Would he have changed their sound, as Mick Taylor did with the Stones? Or wouldn't it really have worked with Eric? The Beatles were, after all, John, Paul, George and Ringo!

[@duncandavies1966]

Eric would never have joined the Beatles.

[@anthonymunn8633]

Eric has said that if they offered he would not have taken it,mainly because of the way they treated George.

[@manolokonosko2868]

I finally finished watching the whole series over a period of several nights. Peter Jackson did a great job boiling 160 hours of footage into only 8, but I’m sure there’s a lot more that would have failed Disney’s ADD audience. It’s a mixed bag. Originally, with only 2 weeks to write and rehearse to come up with a TV show, a lot of time and resources are wasted because John came to the sessions unprepared , with only a fragment of two songs you are guaranteed to be sick of by the time they hit the rooftop. Paul is the driving force and the adult of the group. However, though he comes to the sessions with a ton of songs, they too are undeveloped, but that’s not tge major complaint here. They spend too much time bullshitting, smoking, drinking, and jamming to either old 50s songs, or aimlessly which in the end served no purpose. There is a scene in which Paul strums his guitar and extricated the main parts of the song “Get Back”. George humbly offers from his end, a nice bunch of good songs that are either relatively quickly abandoned or finished by the group in favor of either a Paul or John song. The rooftop performance consists of 3 versions of get back, and 3 of don’t let me down - which I am sick of. Dig a pony and across the universe are vastly overrated and inferior songs to what George was offering until he got fed up and left the band. Little Heather is a joy to watch, especially her face when she hears Yoko wailing and then does a better job at it.

[@chobson8602]

It was an overlong trilogy like all P Jacksons work

[@edwardboyle8420]

true