{"id":23497,"date":"2024-05-10T22:54:20","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T02:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=23497"},"modified":"2024-05-20T03:08:53","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T07:08:53","slug":"let-it-be-the-beatles-film-is-restored-but-unengaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=23497","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Let It Be,\u2019 The Beatles Film Is Restored But Unengaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you recall Peter Jackson\u2019s multiple Emmy Award-winning docuseries, The Beatles: Get Back<\/i><\/b><\/a>, be prepared for what inspired it! Michael Lindsay-Hogg<\/a>, over fifty years ago, made the original 1970 film about The Beatles, called Let It Be<\/i><\/b>, which is now available on Disney+ in its restored version. The film opens with a conversation between Jackson and Lindsay-Hogg, where the latter defines his film as the father of the former\u2019s docuseries. It couldn\u2019t be more appropriate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/ins>\n

Both cinematic experiences give you the feeling of peeping through the keyhole, that leads to the Fab Four\u2019s studio, and eventually we follow them them up to the Apple Corps\u2019 London rooftop. Let It Be<\/i><\/b>, contains footage not featured in the Get Back<\/i><\/b> series. However its pace of storytelling is unengaging, despite the visual improvement of the original 16mm negative, and the sound enhancement that was remastered using the same MAL de-mix technology. While watching the film, besides being pervaded by a sense of nostalgia and enjoying some of the conversations of the iconic foursome, the feeling that comes across is of listening to a medley of The Beatles\u2019 repertoire that doesn\u2019t necessarily require footage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Let
(L-R): Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison in THE BEATLES: LET IT BE. Photo by Ethan A. Russell. \u00a9 2024 Apple Corps Ltd.\u00a0All Rights Reserved. Only to be reproduced editorially in conjunction with The Beatles\u2019 \u201cLet It Be\u201d film on Disney+.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Undoubtably what transpires in the motion picture is the unchanging affection between the four artists, who at this point in time led almost separate lives but seem to find each other again through music. Nevertheless, if we look up to the masterpieces in the history of film that are still current today, Let It Be<\/i><\/b> is not amongst them. The picture that was shot over a four-week period in January 1969, hasn\u2019t aged well, simply because there is no narrative. The conglomeration of footage is delightful for any fan, but primarily for the music.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were films about The Beatles such as A Hard Day’s Night<\/i><\/b>, Help!<\/i><\/b>, Magical Mystery Tour<\/i><\/b> and even the animated Yellow Submarine<\/i><\/b> that channelled the harmony amongst the musician-friends whilst intertwining with the composition of their legendary songs. Let It Be <\/i><\/b>had the potential of becoming the most impactful of all, since it is the testimony of the darkest period in the history of The Beatles, with the disagreements that led to their separation. In fact, we see John Lennon<\/span>, <\/span>Paul McCartney<\/span>, <\/span>George Harrison<\/span> and <\/span>Ringo Starr with their tired faces, dishevelled hair, and unkempt beards. Even though the film is meaningful in the way it tries to grasp the end of an era in rock ‘n’ roll, it fails to be emotionally effective with a modern audience. It lacks a sense of direction, that allows viewers to follow a story and its evolution. There is neither chronological nor thematic progression in the filmic chronicle.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/ins>\n

After all this time, Michael Lindsay-Hogg\u2019s picture provides a simple reminder of the band\u2019s camaraderie and a pivotal moment in music history. Let It Be<\/i><\/b> allows Beatlemaniacs to travel Across The Universe<\/i> of their creative process. However as the vision grows weary the film almost triggers you to blurt out the plea Don\u2019t Let Me Down<\/i>. When finally spectators realise there\u2019s nothing more to do, all that can be done with the film is to Let It Be<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Grade: C+<\/span><\/p>\n

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Check out more of Chiara\u2019s articles<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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