The magical 80 minutes has put us into mixed of feelings yet a fascinating historical documentary.

Peter Jackson&rsquo;s TV series "Get Back," which premiered on Disney, is hailed as a television milestone. It resurrects footage captured by Michael Lindsay-Hogg during The Beatles' 1969 writing sessions for a new album, leading up to their first concert since 1966. Spanning eight hours over 21 days in the studio, this series offers an extraordinary glimpse into the songwriting brilliance of the four friends from Liverpool. It captures their interactions&mdash;tea, cigarettes, bickering, laughter, and simmering tensions&mdash;while they effortlessly craft timeless music. "Get Back" celebrates the joy of the creative process, showcasing hard work at the edges but a core of pure ease. However, prior to "Get Back," there was "Let It Be," the original documentary film from those same sessions, released in May 1970, just a month after Paul McCartney left The Beatles. This film, along with its accompanying album, marked the band's final release, although "Abbey Road" was their last recording. While "Abbey Road" would have been a fitting swan song for The Beatles, "Let It Be" was not. The album was seen as patchy, and the film received poor reviews, coming out during the band's acrimonious breakup and perceived by the public as a document of their disintegration.

Let It Be | Official Trailer | Disney+

After a brief theatrical release in May 1970 and a low-quality video release in 1981, the "Let It Be" documentary faded into obscurity. The Beatles distanced themselves from it, likely due to the painful memories it stirred from that tumultuous period in their history, avoiding any talk of reviving the film. Jackson&rsquo;s "Get Back" has been widely praised for spotlighting the joyful moments of The Beatles' final days, capturing their smiling interactions. However, this raises the question of whether our perception has shifted due to nostalgia, a deeper appreciation of that complex period, and the enduring familiarity of their timeless songs. The original "Let It Be" also featured smiles, jokes, love, and communication. It briefly shows a notable disagreement between Paul McCartney and George Harrison but quickly moves on, omitting scenes&mdash;restored by Jackson&mdash;of a tearful McCartney contemplating the band's end, and transitions to the Apple basement studio where productive jams start to take shape.

Lindsay-Hogg's film has stood the test of time. When I watched it again, I saw the era in a new light. This might be because Lindsay-Hogg made his editing choices without looking back or being influenced by nostalgia, which sets it apart from Jackson's version. Lindsay-Hogg's approach is more direct, allowing for less indulgence and swift transitions, which makes certain moments stand out vividly: George Martin joyfully joining in on tambourine and percussion during jams; Paul McCartney composing a poignant instrumental while Ringo Starr watches affectionately; John Lennon and McCartney sharing giggles over harmonies on "Two Of Us," and George Harrison offering songwriting guidance to Ringo as he navigates "Octopus&rsquo;s Garden." While these scenes also appear in Jackson&rsquo;s film, the concise editing by Lindsay-Hogg adds intriguing emphasis to them.

The most unexpected revelation of "Let It Be" is its vibrant portrayal of life. With no explanatory voice to steer the narrative, viewers are thrust into the midst of the action, left to interpret snatches of dialogue and fleeting expressions on their own. Yoko Ono's constant presence beside Lennon, a peculiarity that drew much commentary from the film's initial critics, adds to the intrigue. Today's audience, already familiar with the history, can forego pondering implications and simply revel in seeing it vividly reenacted.

Yet, the climax&mdash;conceived by Lindsay-Hogg as a way to conclude the film he unexpectedly found himself crafting&mdash;remains an extraordinary historical moment. Their final live performance on the rooftop is a magnificent spectacle, a generous offering to the city from above, capturing priceless footage of perplexed Londoners and humorously disgruntled older gentlemen attempting to navigate their way to work, only to be interrupted by the arrival of police officers to dampen the festivities. That we continue to watch and cherish this footage is a testament not only to the enduring legacy of this group but also to McCartney's foresight, the enduring power of what was once known as cinema, and what we thankfully still refer to as music.

Watch "Let It Be" on <a href="https://www.hotstar.com/my/movies/the-beatles-let-it-be/1271306182">Disney+ Hotstar</a> now.

The sheer beauty of "Let It Be," The Beatles' farewell film

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