The new video clip from the Beatles' film “Let It Be” was released today, available after 50 years in a restored version on Disney+. The video contains clips from the film along with other previously unreleased images. Watch the clip below
The legendary film “Let It Be”, released in 1970, will finally be available from May 8, 2024 on Disney+. This is a truly unmissable event, considering that the film has not been accessible for over 50 years. Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, “Let It Be” shows the Beatles writing and recording their album of the same name in the studios and on the roof of Apple Corps in London in January 1969. Released during a period of great turmoil for the group, now on the brink of dissolution (the film also includes the Liverpool band's last live performance), “Let It Be” has taken on an invaluable historical value for Fab Four fans over the years.
This return of “Let It Be” to screens is made possible thanks to the meticulous restoration work carried out by Peter Jackson's team at Park Road Post Production. The director himself, author of the award-winning documentary “The Beatles: Get Back” released on Disney+ in 2021, commented with great enthusiasm on this initiative.
The film is now being brought to light through its restoration and in the context of revelations that emerged in Peter Jackson's multiple Emmy Award®-winning docuseries, “The Beatles: Get Back.” “Let It Be” contains footage not featured in the “Get Back” docuseries, taking viewers to the studio and rooftop of Apple Corps in London in January 1969 as the Beatles, joined by Billy Preston, wrote and recorded their award-winning song Grammy Award, the album “Let It Be”, with the Oscar-winning song, and they perform live for the last time as a group. With the release of “The Beatles: Get Back”, fan interest in the film “Let It Be” further increased. And so, with Lindsay-Hogg's support, the Apple Corps asked Peter Jackson's Park Road Post Production to immerse themselves in a meticulous restoration of the film from the original 16mm negative.
“'Let It Be' was ready for release in October/November 1969, but it didn't come out until April 1970 – says Michael Lindsay-Hogg – A month before its release, the Beatles officially broke up. And so people I went to see 'Let It Be' with sadness in my heart, thinking, 'I'll never see the Beatles together again,' and that really clouded my perception of the film of this stature to work together, experience their excitement and joy in playing together again. And I was very impressed with what Peter managed to do with 'Get Back', using all the footage I had shot 50 years earlier.” .
And Jackson reciprocates by stating, “I'm thrilled that Michael's film has been restored and is finally being re-released after being unavailable for decades. I was really lucky to have access to Michael's outtakes for 'Get Back,' and I always thought that ' Let It Be' was necessary to complete the story of 'Get Back' In the three installments, we showed Michael and the Beatles making a groundbreaking new documentary, and 'Let It Be' is that documentary, the film they released in 1970. Now I look at it all as an epic story, finally completed after five decades. The two projects support and reinforce each other: 'Let It Be' is the climax of 'Get Back', while 'Get Back' provides a vital context that 'Let It Be' was missed.”
“Let It Be,” directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, stars John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, with a special appearance by Billy Preston. The film was produced by Neil Aspinall with The Beatles serving as executive producers. The cinematographer was Anthony B Richmond.
“Let It Be” is now available exclusively on Disney+.
In 2021, The Beatles' “Let It Be” album was mixed in stereo, 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos by producer Giles Martin and Sam Okell for a series of Special Editions released by Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. The Super Deluxe CD, vinyl and digital versions also contain 27 previously unreleased recordings, the four-track “Let It Be” EP and the LP version with the 14 previously unreleased tracks of “Get Back”, mixed by Glyn Johns in May 1969.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM