I’ve always thought that The Beatles’ songmaking process would be something close to magical. But this documentary proves that it’s anything but—creating music, like any artistic endeavor, is like pulling teeth. It’s painful and raw, but once done, it can also feel like the biggest relief in the world. And Get Back, which Jackson described as a “documentary about a documentary” shows us just how raw it gets. There are scenes of what we know went down (but even then it feels chilling), like the tense arguments between Paul, John, George, and Ringo. But there are also scenes of what we know less of, buried as they are beneath media spectacle and drama—that of genuine brotherhood and goofing around, of tender merrymaking and skilled music-making. It’s no secret that there was a ton of frustration behind The Beatles’ breakup, but this revealing documentary confirms there was a ton of (if not more) love involved too.
"It solves a little of the mystery of how these four lads from Liverpool achieved what they did, without taking away any of their magic."
— Elena Lazic
"The fact that it goes on for so long may seem like the show's major bug at first, but after a while, you realize it is actually its greatest feature, and a true, generous gift."
— Jen Chaney
The three-part documentary series, compiled from over 60 hours of unseen footage, captures the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of music's most iconic foursome. The series also includes – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles' final performance at London's Savile Row.
In Get Back, Director Peter Jackson stitches 60 hours of footage and 150 hours of audio captured for the 1970 film and album Let It Be to reveal whole new dimensions to The Beatles’ creative process, personal relationships, and more.
Setting aside the music, which is goosebump-inducing, just seeing all this footage, be it behind-the-scenes, home videos, or music videos, in crisp and clear HD feels like a miracle.
As an objective reviewer I’m saying this doc is worthwhile, but as a years-long Beatlemaniac, I’m saying that watching this has been one of the most revelatory cinematic experience in my life.
