The final film by one of the most famous bands of all time has been restored and re released almost 40 years after its last home video release.
“Let It Be” is a 1970 documentary recording of the final album and live public performance of The Beatles.
The film was an insight into how the band works – and what eventually caused the breakup of the band.
From sweet moments to heated arguments, the film shows what a day was like for the group.
Upon release, the film was criticized for low quality and its bland feel, but is now viewed in a better light by critics.
Home media releases of “Let It Be” would come in the form of VHS, LaserDisc and Betamax versions – with the full film never released since the 1980s.
Since then, it has been hard to find a version of the film – other than bootlegs or low-quality versions online.
But Beatle fans would be given hope in Nov. 2021 with the release of “The Beatles: Get Back.”
Director Peter Jackson, known for his work on the “Lord of the Rings” film franchise, produced a three-part documentary series using footage from the “Let It Be” film – creating an eight-hour version of the film with restored and unseen footage.
This release gave fans a chance to watch a version of events that took place during the recording of “Let It Be,” but there was still no release of the original film.
On April 16, 2024, it was announced that Disney+ would be the home of a restored version of the original film – the first time it has been broadcast since its original run in theaters.
I was very excited about the film. I have already seen every other Beatles film and the entirety of “Get Back,” but I have never seen “Let It Be.”
The majority of the film is performance pieces – including the famous rooftop concert – while the rest is discussion among the bandmates.
Three moments in the film stuck out to me –
The argument between Paul McCartney and George Harrison was one of the more intense moments in the film – highlighting the growing tension between the band and their future breakup.- Heather McCartney’s interactions with the bandmates showed the tender side of the group.
- The commentary from the pedestrians about the rooftop concert felt like a portal into the 1960s in England.
Overall the film is a must watch for fans of the band and music in general.
It gives insight onto the final era of a band with a storied history – along with visuals of their songwriting process.
“Let It Be” is rough around the edges, but is diamond nonetheless.