The Beatles: Get Back

It’s January 1969. Paul McCartney sits at a piano at Twickenham Studios; cups of tea, cigarettes and scraps of paper litter the place as he sketches out ideas for a new song. The Beatles only have days left to prepare for what is set to be their first live show in two years, though nobody is sure at this point what it’s going to be. A documentary crew is hired to film the group’s progress for what is intended to be an accompanying TV special. In total, they record over 60 hours of unseen footage and 150 hours of audio. Peter Jackson has managed to get his hands on this treasure trove of music history and transformed it into three-part docuseries The Beatles: Get Back, a remarkable – though excruciatingly long – achievement.

Sitting at around eight hours in length, getting through Jackson’s film is no small task. The documentary can feel aimless, even tedious, at times as viewers sit through the group’s umpteenth rehearsal of the title track or simply endure the time-consuming monotony of setting up recording equipment. However, no frame is wasted here. This was likewise a long and often aimless project for all those involved too, and Jackson and his team captures every facet of the ensuing weeks to create as accurate a representation as possible.

Regardless of the gargantuan length, this project allows viewers to get a first-hand glimpse at the musical legends’ creative process in action. Though they may play each track a dozen or so times throughout, the magic comes in watching how they gradually come together and evolve into the songs music lovers adore half a century later. Moreover, the film offers an intimate and unfiltered observation of each of the musicians and their relationship with each other in the band’s final year. It’s small moments like Ringo’s impressive Keith Moon impression or McCartney and Lennon’s comical performances of their songs that exemplify their friendship and allows viewers to get to know them on a more personal level. 

The Beatles: Get Back is a landmark in documentary filmmaking. Jackson’s three-part film is the equivalent of spending eight hours with the rock‘n’roll icons as they make musical history. While there’s a lot to get through, there’s a lot to love about what Jackson’s team has accomplished. They have created something special.

Andrew Murray

The Beatles: Get Back is released on Disney+ on 25^th November 2021.

Watch the trailer for The Beatles: Get Back here: