What’s It About
Initially slated to be a television documentary about the Beatles in the studio, this film, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, instead captures the writing and recording of their penultimate album, “Let It Be.” After the dense complexity of “The White Album,” Paul McCartney wants to return to basics with the next offering. However, tensions within the band are high and quickly become frayed in the studio. The film ends with a rooftop concert in London, the last live show from the group.
Why It’s Gone
Let It Be had a VHS release, and work was underway for a digital restoration incorporating the cut footage. But as the project progressed, the scenes of George Harrison’s temporary walk-out (the band considered replacing him with Eric Clapton) and the footage of John Lennon and Yoko Ono gave the surviving Beatles pause. Unnamed inside sources claim that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have blocked any re-release, fearing that footage of the Beatles annoying one another would damage their global brand. As most know, The Beatles are a worldwide beloved group, and the thought of a new generation not having the chance to experience all they have to offer would be criminal. Peter Jackson was given access to hours of unseen footage and will release a new “Let It Be” entitled “The Beatles: Get Back,” initially set for Sept. 4, 2020, which will now be released close to a year later on November 25, 2021. The DVD and Blu-Ray were released on July 12, 2022. As for the original Let It Be, it won’t happen.
Update**
As of May 8, 2024, The original Let It Be has been released on Disney+. You can read our review under STREAMING. There’s still no physical copies available unless you want a bootleg version from Amazon or eBay for $40 or more. So, until an actual copy is produced, this title will remain in the graveyard.