Let It Be (1969)

The filmed account of The Beatles' attempt to recapture their old group spirit by making a back to basics album, which instead drove them further apart.

Director:

Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Stars:

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
The Beatles	...	Themselves (uncredited)
George Harrison	...	Self (The Beatles) (uncredited)
John Lennon	...	Self (The Beatles) (uncredited)
Paul McCartney	...	Self (The Beatles) (uncredited)
Yoko Ono	...	Self (uncredited)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Peter Sellers	...	Self (scenes deleted)

Storyline

A documentary showing both how The Beatles made music together, and how they split up. Hundreds of hours of raw footage was condensed into the final product. The rooftop performance ending the film remains a rock-n-roll archetype.

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Plot Keywords:

rooftop | rock music | the beatles | man wears eyeglasses | guitar | 

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Taglines:

An intimate experience on film

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original title was "The Beatles Get Back" but since the group had released the "Get Back" single in the previous year, the movie and soundtrack album titles were re-named. During the rooftop concert, the police came in and interrupted the performance. The Beatles were disappointed that the London police asked them to stop. They were hoping that they would be arrested and dragged off to jail for disturbing the peace. Sir Paul McCartney said that it would have been a "great ending for the movie".

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Goofs

At one point rehearsing "I've Got A Feeling", John is heard singing (and bantering) with Paul, but his mouth isn't moving on camera.

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Quotes

Paul McCartney: [to George] I'm not trying to get you. But I really am trying to just say, "Look, lads- the band, you know. Shall we... try it like this, you know?"

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Alternate Versions

There are bootleg tapes that exist of some footage not used in the final release, including a moment where Peter Sellers visits the band.

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Connections

Featured in Imagine: John Lennon (1988)

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Soundtracks

Get Back
Performed by The Beatles
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Published by Apple Records
Courtesy of Apple Records

User Reviews

Let it Be Again!!!

Yes the film is poorly edited--the sound sometimes doesn't exactly sync...but hey its the Beatles. Finally playing themselves in a film designed to show off their musical roots and working toward an album stripped of the "hee, hee, hee" and "blowing bubbles through straws". I saw the film when it was released 37 years ago. I have a VHS copy. I watch it at least two times a year. I still to this day do not see a film about a group breaking up. Albeit--there were some tense moments...but what "family" doesn't have tense moments. I remember the scene between Harrison and McCartney over George's guitar playing for "I've Got A Feeling"/I remember the scene between Lennon and McCartney discussing George's reluctance to "going out on the road". Tense/Uptight--sure--but what shines the most is the music. The rooftop concert shows just how hot a band the Beatles actually were. I actually find the album to be a joy...they actually get a chance to rock out just like they did in the early days. And with a nod to Lennon, they actually had a bite to these new songs. To dismiss this film is a big mistake. If anything--it should be looked upon as a historical document. I am all in favor of the film coming out on DVD. It would be a blast to see the unused footage and more.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1970 (UK)

Also Known As:

Let It Be

Filming Locations:

Apple Corps, 3 Savile Row, Mayfair, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,061,569

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apple Corps, ABKCO Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1