The Beatles: Get Back
(Walt Disney) DVD and Blu-ray
Many hardened Beatles fans were conflicted when it emerged that Peter Jackson’s sprawling re-purposing of the Let It Be tapes was to become a TV seriesand on the Disney-plus streaming service no less. Given that the common consensus was that the January 1969 rehearsals captured in the feature film of that name, and accompanying album, were rancorous beyond belief, and lit the blue touch paper for the band’s ultimate demise, the fact Jackson’s series had the blessing of the surviving Beatles suggested a whitewash of epic proportions.
What a delight then to discover that the resulting eight hours of rehearsing, banter and, yes, the occasional cross word – now available on this box setwould be such a delight.
For Fab and take shape, and to be reminded that John Lennon may have missed his calling as a comedian. Lennon announcing that he had met with, and been impressed by, New York shark Allen Kleinthe man who did more than most to bring about the end of the groupcasts a shadow over proceedings, a portent of things to come, but for the most part this is a celebration of a never-to-be-repeated musical phenomenon. The only disappointment is that the original film is not included; rarely seen since its release in 1970 it would have been useful to have, if only for compare and contrast purposes. Perhaps another day…
