The Beatles’ Let It Be 1970 film to see the light of day!

[@pintpot]

I always look forward to springtime in Hungary and John gets to hang out in the garden, even with the aircraft noises

[@pavinder]

Love your honest (and to me accurate) appraisal of the recent releases in the first 90 seconds.

[@rdfab3]

I think Now and Then is a beautiful piece of music

[@gettinhungrig8806]

Yeah! Guy's a tosser

[@onlysleeping8934]

Hey Mr.Heaton wonderful video. I completely agree with you about Ringo's music. He really hasn't done anything new but I'm very grateful we're getting the Let It Be movie & on my 60th birthday. What a nice gift! I know your 60th is a few days after mine so a very Happy 60th in advance! Love your videos, especially the Beatles related ones. Cheers!

[@MikeE_Fab4]

Thanks for the video, John. Some blunt comments, but, very truthful !! FYI, the LET IT BE movie was commercially released (at least here in the USA) on VHS and Betamax tapes in the early 1980s. It was also released on LaserDisc in 1981, and, I bought and still have that copy. About 15 years ago, I copied it to DVD-R just in case my LaserDisc players died. (which, I'm happy to report, did not occur ... both still work fine!) So, I've been enjoying the LET IT BE movie for more than 4 decades. In fact, every January 30th, for decades, I have watched the rooftop concert section of the LET IT BE movie or the full movie. Well, for the past few years, I have watched the rooftop presentation in GET BACK, instead. Looking forward to seeing the restored copy of LET IT BE! As a few folks have described here, when I first saw the movie in 1970 in a local theater, it was mesmerizing. There was no focus by me or my friends on any negativity. Even the polite and very brief "row" between Paul and George didn't doom or decrease the joy of watching the Beatles up close. LET IT BE has "always" had a bad / negative reputation (aided and abetted by Ringo's and Paul's comments!), but, I have long believed that's an inaccurate assessment of the movie.

[@VavyLozano]

I’m saw the original premiere back in 1970 in El Paso Texas in the Pershing Theater.

[@davidgena2667]

I happened to be in Berlin, Germany shortly after the film was released in 1970 and managed to watch the film three times with a fellow Beatle fanatic while there, so I have very fond memories of the film despite the negativity associated with it. No doubt I’ll be buying the physical copy when/if it’s released to go with my bootleg copy. Terrific video as always, John.

[@davidoverton4030]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Apple/Disney: release LET IT BE on dvd/ Blu-ray (as you did with 'Get Back') in time for Christmass.

[@craigb2971]

Happy Birthday for the 13th John. I always love your work here in Melbourne!

[@adrianmadden]

Have never seen the original ever. Loved the three-parter a few years back.......and remember as a teen at school in the early eighties this was always being talked about. Important part of 20th century pop culture history. Can't wait. 🪲🪲🪲🪲

[@garychambers5850]

My first encounter with the "Let it Be" film was the summer of 1970, my sister and her husband took me to the Drive-in Movies to see "Let it Be." I didn't care if I was listening through the small speaker from the drive-in. I was in awe of it all! I am watching the Beatles in the studio making. new songs and singing old ones. It was great! 💘🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🌞

[@BigSky1]

Lindsey-Hogg also Directed The Stones Rock n Roll Circus.

[@davecostello560]

Fascinating that Lennon went to see the film, and to hear his sad delayed reaction. Yes, unfair to say that this was Paul's project for Paul. This was not Pepper! I'm really looking forward to watching - cleaned up audio and video will give it a new spin. It's amazing what we projected emotionally onto the Beatles - what appeared to be boredom and depression I think was actually being up in the morning and expected to perform in a drafty cavernous sound studio on a cold UK January day!

[@RonaldBrown59]

I haven’t seen the original Let It Be movie since it used to run on cable TV in the early 80’s. And I look forward to seeing the restored version next month. Great video John, and thanks for sharing.

[@TomCwimpRock]

I had to chuckle at your Michael Palin story - when it comes down to it, “Let It Be” was probably my all time favorite too! Nice video John.

[@colinpiper4386]

Whaat!! I think Ringo’ new title track is very good, best from him for a long while. Do agree John, £25 for an EP is too much, I’ve added it to my playlist on Spotify. The same reason I ‘audition’ Paul’s stuff via Spotify before I buy, well any artists now. The ‘Stones Hackney Diamonds for example I listened to for day’s before buying, love it now. Against better judgement I got Egypt Station on CD, played it, put it away knowing I’ll never play it again. Yes looking forward to Let It Be 👍

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

Hi John. Thanks for doing these videos.

[@drummer78]

I actually liked the dark and spooky looking old version that used to occasionally get posted on KZbin years back. Somehow the dark look lent it an attitude.

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi dear Sir, Always love to hear your opinion and reviews. You are one of my favorite and most genuine musical angels in this fine medium. I respect your opinion immensely. Yes I am looking forward to Let it Be. Still did not see Get Back. Happy birthday in advance.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I love "Long & Winding Road" in a Bossa-Nova during which Ringo John and George all look at each other while Paul carries on "all right lads - that's enough - go on all bloody DAY!" Than again, In Get Back, I love George's hawaiian humming of the song. That was all too brief.

[@gerardjoseph17]

John, good thoughts, enjoyed the video. Some forget that the Beatles brought forth 2 incredible albums, two incredible box sets, new books that accompanied the releases, became #1 chart albums 50 years afterwards, and won awards for both Get Back and the Let it Be film.

[@hairmanjeff]

I think the Ringo songs have a fresh new sound , and I quite like them .

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

Me too. Ike the new one

[@clark82]

February Sky is best thing he has done in decades, but rest of the songs I am not really liking

[@LapsangTe]

I've got a bootleg DVD that I bought online many years ago. It was obviously ripped from a poor quality DVD copy since the picture quality is horrific. I rewatched it after having seen the "Get Back" documentary, which was very intersting. It wasn't quite as sad and depressing as i remembered it and I'm looking forward to an official release with the same excellent picture quality as in the documentary.

[@robertjordan7348]

I went and saw it 3 separate times at the theater in 1970 and found it to be compelling/fascinating. Have been waiting for a release ever since I foolishly failed to get the VHS whenever that was out.

[@mjanovec]

Jean Marsh was in two Doctor Who stories. She played Sara Kingdom in the 60s and was considered to be a “companion” by many fans.

[@Slydeil]

As you say John there are some great bits, especially the rooftop gig but it's not something I look forward to seeing based on my previous experiences over the years. I saw Lat It Be first as a teenager back in Xmas 1979, when the BBC showed all the films and found it depressing. I then got a VHS copy of it when it was released in the 1980s and still thought it a sad and dark experience. I will watch it again (of course) but really just for the rooftop gig. As for Ringo, I gave up on his material after Time Takes Time, his last decent effort and that was just because of the Jellyfish contributions. Finally, based on your comments I listened to London Town for the first time in ages and enjoyed it far more than my memory of it and its moved up my rankings. Only real clunker The Famous Groupies.

[@fittobetiedyed5315]

Hi John. For me the best part of Let It Be is the inclusion of the three studio tracks at the end. I was disappointed that Jackson used bits of those songs at the end of Get Back to roll the credits. We now know why he did that. I have an old VHS bootleg copy of the movie, which is a bit difficult to watch because of comparatively poor quality. I'm looking forward to it. Aidan Quinn Played McCartney in "Two Of Us".

[@nickbutler3373]

Really looking forward to seeing Let It Be, it’s out on my birthday too so doubly excited! There’ll be whining from some fans like there was for get back which really confuses me! 8 hours of unseen footage and people whinge! Jeez! Great vid John

[@rossdelain1645]

All this hype about releasing both the Get Back film and Let It Be in such a short space of time to me is just a deflection technique from the fact that there ain't going to be a deluxe Help movie because they lost all the bonus material and burned all the Studio outtakes.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

Happy birthday in advance, John. Mine's on the 9th of June, so Let it Be is an early birthday gift for me as well.

[@mattgaskell945]

It’ll be interesting to see if the cleaned up version improves the experience of watching it. I assume it will do. I have an old copy and part of the problem was that the produced footage was gloomy and grainy. So I’m excited to see it. I agree about the Ringo and George releases. Thanks, John.

[@edwardrussell5989]

Spot on John Can’t wait for let it Be. First saw it when 12 when it came out . Saw it three times in the one day with yellow submarine at local cinema. Went in at lunchtime and came out at 10 .30 brilliant. Also you are right about Ringo ep overpriced rubbish

[@nervo6321]

I can remember being on BBC2 one Saturday afternoon in about 1982

[@martinmcgrath1985]

Let it be is a Beatles film with terrible picture quality.. This is ESSENTIAL! Peter Jackson will do a great job. Fans being underwhelmed blows my mind.. The same fans went crazy for Paul’s vanity project NOW AND THEN! great vid John

[@LapsangTe]

The picture quality was most likely great if you watched it in a cinema back in 1970, but most of us have had to settle with inferior bootlegs.

[@martinmcgrath1985]

John is a Beatles fan and also critical of things..I like that balance..I don’t like nay sayers and cynics…didn’t realise all that extra info about Lyndsay Hogg.

[@jazzthunder50]

Thank you John great vid ! Will you be doing one on new one hand clapping ?

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I loved the George and Paul argument in Get Back - it made more sense, especially when George said "I just hope you know what you want", or something to that effect.

[@TheeReturn]

I watched my bootleg VHS I got at Beatles Convention in Liverpool 1996 to death. They were working on restoring it long ago as the footage in Anthology is fully cleaned up.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

I imagine Let it Be would have been a MASSIVE shock to viewers in 70s, used to the happy, "cartoonish" Beatles in their previous films!

[@gavaxemanspins]

Looking forward to to Let it Be on Disney in pristine quality as only watched it on a poor quality KZbin post - hoping for a physical release too ! I have a vague memories of seeing it on TV in the 70’s but I was very young and had no idea who the Beatles were. I really think apple need to get the rooftop concert released properly rather than just in streaming . Good to see some sunshine ☀️ it’s rained in the U.K. for the last 3 years solid !!

[@goplad1]

To me the original "Let It Be" movie is amongst my least favorite Beatles projects (along with the abysmal "Magical Mystery Tour" film). I saw "Let It Be" in the 1970s and had to struggle to get through the entire film. It's the most depressing film I think I've ever seen. Dark, depressing, and ultimately frustrating. To see how McCartney bullied Harrison still bothers me to this day. All of them struggling to create and get along. Even the recent "Get Back" doc didn't fool me because behind those moments of positivity and creativity there was a reality that couldn't be ignored. Regardless of Jackson's attempt at showing a different side of the sessions, the "happy Beatles", the reality still lingered. I'm with George Harrsion who never wanted to see the original "Let It Be" film released again.

[@jeanpepin6497]

Thank you. Ringos music has been less than average for years.i don't know why people still buy the eps

[@tonytinoco9838]

Hi John, great review. Always appreciate your honest assessments and find I often agree with you.

[@robertmaitino5674]

John, you do a great job. I appreciate how you are honest and criticize when necessary. Thanks

[@jaman878]

Peter Jackson has more than a few discrepant comments regarding “Let It Be”. He was insisting that his film “Get Back” was the “real” story of the Get Back sessions and that the Michael Lindsay-Hogg film was a slanted view. I disagree. I think MLH got it right. The Beatles were a band in trouble. I think “Get Back” is a very good film and a wonderful technical achievement. “Get Back” does add to our knowledge of that period of their career, but it doesn’t detract from MLH’s thesis that the Beatles dynamics were unstable. Peter Jackson has 8 hrs to tell the story, where MLH had less than 90 min to tell that story in “Let It Be”, so yes there was a lot more to the story, but with so short a time to tell that story, MHL has to distill out “the good times”. The Beatles were very depressed over the whole project. Through-out the spring of 1969 they continued to work on new music both together and separately. They also tried to salvage something from the “Get Back” sessions by releasing The songs “Get Back”, “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Let it Be from those sessions. But they shelved the project and decided to make another record (Abbey Road). January of 1969 was a critical time for the band and Apple Records. Apple was launched in a burst of optimism in January 1968. By January 1969, Apple was in serious financial trouble. It is one thing to be chummy and forgiving when you are making Money together, it it is quite another thing when you are going broke together. That had to have had an effect on the band’s cohesion. All of this lead to the need for professional management and the whole Eastman/Klein episode which was the last straw.

[@Theslavedrivers]

It boggles my mind that the vast 'Get Back' could have left out anything from 'Let It Be'!

[@alanlinfield8207]

That was intentional. Peter Jackson made sure that "Get Back" would not replace "Let It Be." Approximately 55-56 hours of footage were shot for the documentary. Which is why some of us complained that the blu-ray of Get Back had no bonus footage -- especially since Jackson offered to prepare additional footage for the home release.

[@curaeus007]

Bought a DVD of Let it Be many years ago in a discount record store in Sydney Australia. Pretty professional looking product with a nice booklet and it viewed ok when I looked at it back then but haven't looked at it again for quite a while. Probably a good quality bootleg taken from the VHS. Will probably buy a BluRay of the movie if Disney ever get round to releasing physical media down the track.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

George and John had already left the group in their minds.

[@arnesaknussemm2427]

John, possibly but not George.

[@joncumber2020]

A reminder that the documentary was filmed before they recorded ‘Abbey Road’

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Great video,John! Totally agree with your first two statements in the beginning.

[@peterthomas22]

Paul didn't rate George,, that's why their argument was so. and is, so significant.. My view, RIP George.

[@graniterhythm53]

More likely George didn't rate Paul - he worked with John & Ringo after the split!

[@chrislackey775]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT MY FRIEND ! LIKED AND SUBBED TY SIR!

[@petejp1]

I've had a bootleg dvd for years, but it will be nice to see it cleaned up. According to the fest for Beatles fans web site, the blu-ray & dvd will be released in the fall. I agree ringo's ep is pretty average and only 12 minutes, which is pretty light. The john lennon ep sounds great.

[@CraigBickerstaff]

There has always been a lot of negativity projected onto Let It Be the movie, especially in terms of The Beatles, who relate it heavily to their feelings when it was made. Ringo hinted that he has seen the movie recently because he said Peter did a "good job" with it, but I wonder how much of his "not a lot of joy" comment has to do with where he was when the movie was made. I suppose I can sort of see it if I interpret the comment a little less literally, Let It Be is a very straightforward film. It's extremely fly on the wall in that they play some songs and there is a bit of banter and interaction between the songs which lends a little bit of context to whatever they are playing at the time. Get Back on the other hand is more story-driven and behind the scenes. For all the talk of Let It Be being a negative film, there isn't a whole lot of negativity in the film. I would barely call George's row with Paul a row, they exchange some tense words and then they move on. In Get Back George leaves the band shortly after, Let it Be doesn't mention or show that part at all much less say why they moved from Twickenham back to Apple. Get Back has stakes and a goal that the band is moving towards. I think that's where the "joy" he's talking about comes from. Even though they don't end up doing their grand concert they end up creating something positive. I don't even think Let It Be explains why they go onto the roof to play, they just do it.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

I like Primrose Hill it as a lovely vibe to it ,Okay it. was a miserable film at the time I do like Besame Mucho it has to be my favourite and I like John’s face looking bored at times that’s honestly I like the honesty in that film.

[@tubergetrude333]

interesting opening...no free rides...you watch all those videos... listen to everything...so your opinions are always vital without being pushy...and you have a nice garden... i think you are more relaxed perhaps in the garden ...and this 'episode' benefited from it...

[@gordonteats298]

SET HIM FREE by APOLOGETIX a great Beatles parody of LET IT BE

[@RoosterLozz]

Great video as ever - even with the air traffic… surprised no mention of one hand clapping ?

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

It will be my partners birthday on the seventh and she’s a mad Beatles fan so she is well and truly over the moon.

[@paulbrown4620]

It was shown on the BBC around Christmas 1979 and again on BBC 2 early in 1982. Its badly edited, and the lip-syncing is woefully out. Sadly, its not really great to watch. It is saved by the rooftop concert at the end. It could have been fantastic but its not..

[@RogerGriffiths-nj3ro]

Top video complete with early birthday flypasts.

[@farrellmcnulty909]

Aidan Quinn played Paul in Two of Us.

[@PhilSmithRHR]

I suppose the best thing one can say about Sean and James is that it’s really, really nice that they are friendly and doing things together. They are never going to anywhere near rival their dads for greatness or historical significance. But I’m sure they know that too.

[@ysgol3]

Very interesting John, thank you, I hadn't realised stuff from Let it Be wasn't in Get Back. I have a VHS copy of Let it Be, taped from UK TV - God knows how long ago. I do think Let it Be is pretty miserable to say the least - at times it actually manages to make the Beatles boring (!) - except for the concert of course. Are you sure Jane Asher went to the premiere? Why did she do that I wonder - I always thought she cut off all links after she split with Paul. I'm not aware that they have ever met since, yet she risked bumping into him and Linda at the premiere - presumably she didn't know he wasn't going?? I also think you're a bit harsh about Now and Then, having said that I also think that the remastered 'Ringo version ' Love Me Do is a revelation and is better than Now and Then, a masterstroke and masterpiece in fact (though still not as great as the Alan White album version, which I think is better because John's harmonica was so much looser and Paul's singing somehow dramatically improved in the week between the recordings) - whoever's idea that was was very very clever.

[@jocelynbrookes]

I have the complete original Let it be movie on file. I didn't realise it was so 'rare'. I guess it's a copy of the vhs . Happy to share but it's a bit late now......looking forward to Peter Jackson's polished version.

[@cibonthesaint8903]

Totally agree.

[@nowhereman6496]

WHY NOW??? This should have and could have easily been released sometimes after the anthology, maybe released along with the Let it Be Naked album. I only saw it once at my next door neighbor's house who were the first family on the street with cable TV back in 1979 or 80 and "Let it Be" was being shown on one of the cable channels. It's seems to me that Micheal Lindsey Hogg rightfully so gave "Let it Be" a sort of depressing viewpoint. Afterall, after watching "Get Back" we all got to see all of the back and forth crap he had to deal with from The Beatles and being stuck in the middle of it. George left, John wouldn't show up, Paul became a bit overbearing but at least cared and Ringo often looked like he just wanted out of there. On and on and on. In between there were endless meandering, not so great, jamming. It's somewhat amazing that Let it Be as an album is as good as it is. I might be in the minority but I like what Phil Spector did and It's one of my favorites of theirs. If only Spector had included "Don't Let me Down". I just don't know how I'll be able to "UNSEE" the "Get Back" movie when watching ":Let it Be" now. Anyway, love your honesty about the Ringo release and the L&Mc Jr release.

[@invisibleray6987]

LOL I guessed you wouldn't be buying much from the new batch

[@roywatson8133]

ive a dvd bootleg of let it be film apart from the studio cuts of two of us long and winding road let it be and the roof top concert i struggle too get through it if it never comes out on a dvd wont lose much sleep over it

[@farrellmcnulty909]

So you're just letting it be.

[@roywatson8133]

@@farrellmcnulty909 sure am

[@farrellmcnulty909]

@@roywatson8133 😅

[@erniericardo8140]

Im sorry John but I think Ringo's February Sky is a solid song and just for that I'll get the E.P.- Primrose Hill is just okay and nothing to really write home about -And Im happy that Let It Be is finally being released but Im not going to giet a subscription for Disney + , So I'll just have to hope and wait for a DVD/Blu Ray release -and IMO Now and Then is a FAB song.

[@russbroda7207]

I have the VHS !

[@farrellmcnulty909]

I prefer Let It Be's sequencing of the three songs and rooftop - it was a very nice low-key moment followed by a grand finale. Get Back sucked in the way it treated that 3-song session. I loved the movie all around, but that last bit really pissed me off.

[@briancunningham3155]

After seeing the three part TV series "Get Back," I have zero interest in seeing the abysmal movie "Let It Be."

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

But there are no finished songs in Get Back apart from the concert.

[@gettinhungrig8806]

Suzy Parker is in the Get Back film but a much shorter version. The part where Paul is talking about Stravinsky and John looks bored stupid wasn't "judicious editing" it was misleading. We can see the conversation it's taken from in Get Back. Several are sitting around a table contributing including John...not just Paul.

[@Peter-Burbank]

I purchased a Russian copy a couple decades ago, the transfer looks pretty good, but the Paul and George confrontation is not on it.

[@kevinfitzsimons41]

Let it be album heavily weighted towards Paul. Lennon’s contributions far too flimsy. It’s insane that ‘Don’t let me down’ wasn’t part of the album- one of Johns best songs that would have balanced out Paul’s monopolising

[@laurencetyson7395]

Hi John. Slightly off topic but are you aware of the Mike Williams Sage of Quay KZbin channel? Some of his content is preposterous! He claims The Beatles didn't write any of their own material until after 1966 and that session musicians were used because they weren't good enough to play . I would love to know your thoughts.

[@ronfowlermusic]

I love Let it Be. It keeps the focus on the music. Get Back was Too Much Yalk and not enough action

[@salvadormarley]

Now am I wrong or am I right, wasn't the only interesting Beatle news in the past 50 years announced in about 1970?

[@stevenedwards4470]

Let it Be pops up on KZbin every now and then. (pun intended) It doesn't stay up long but I've seen it a couple of times over the last decade. It's not a great film really. At best it can only be a footnote to Get Back now.

[@victorturturici4446]

Annie also dated Mary Tyler Moore.

[@clark82]

Being honest, Ringo’s new ep, the songs are poor with the exception of February Sky, which IMHO is probably his best song since anything he did on Verticle Man.

[@candelise]

So sad for John? Considering he announced he wanted to leave the band? And as for Jann Wenner??

[@michaelholmes4374]

Only good thing about that film is the songs not on the roof absolutely depressing film

[@ronfowlermusic]

The novelty of the EP format has worn off. This is the first one I won't be buying.

[@boguslavaki]

I still have a copy of the film that I got in the 80's. The quality isn't that great.

[@trevordixon1427]

What's the point of new let it be?

[@BigSky1]

He told you in the video if you listen.

[@scrambaba]

The Let it Be album is pretty bad…just try listening to the whole thing through.

[@tho2295]

Let It Be is certainly not the best music movie of all time. It's actually quite a mess and badly edited. Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii is far more impressive.

[@bobf.5538]

I own a 6 dvd box set of let it be. Various days etc. Movie is dark ( not colorwize) dark.as in moody sad , not much thats upbeat..Michael lindsey Hogg spent more time hanging with the boys than filming..if peter jackson got what was cut out MLH purposely set out to film.a depressimg film ?

[@ricardo_miguel13]

you can't compare Now And Then to Primerose Hill lol. Primerose Hill is very weakly produced..earlier songs by them are much better.

[@petelutz7157]

boy your a happy sod

[@jasonbrooks6562]

Ringo really should pack it in.

[@manolokonosko2868]

John... Why are you still surprised that Ringo makes shitty albums and singles? "Underwhelmed"? I could have told you that before you even wasted your time playing it. When will you learn?

[@arnesaknussemm2427]

I agree, the McCartney version of Now and Then is insipid. Iamaphonies version is much better. Much, much better.

[@thomascollins1739]

I love “Now and Then” McCartney’s version is just fine by me. Why is everyone always sound negative about The Beatles’ recent single. Get over it, please.

[@arnesaknussemm2427]

@@thomascollins1739 Have you heard the version I refer to?

[@marcelyanez9045]

Completely negative this person's lame comments re. Ringo and George's output. I watched only four minutes of a monotone voice. Peaceandlove.