The Beatles: Get Back Part 1 (2021) Review

 

The Beatles: Get Back Part 1 (2021)

Part 1 of The Beatles Get Back sessions follows The Beatles in January 1969 as they begin writing and recording their next (and last) album at Twickenham studios as part of a documentary. 

We may not fully recognize it yet, but this restoration of the unreleased tapes (that were never meant to see the light of day) of The Beatles creating their final album may be one of the most important musical documentaries ever. Not only does it provide a look behind the curtain of the Fab Four’s musical genius but also charts their dissolution as a band on the verge of going their separate ways. None of this is more evident that here in Part 1, where they were shifted to the open-aired soundstage at Twickenham Studios, instead of the confines of Abbey Road Studios, causing sound issues and an open-ended feeling that is quite obviously a distraction for the band, leading to a drab and uninspired first week, though some massive songs form out of these first sessions. 

Brilliantly, Peter Jackson just lets the footage tell the tale, allowing the music to flow and take center stage without any necessary structure. In doing so, you see The Beatles for what they were. Paul, the leader, often trying inspire the group and take charge of their sound; John, who’s just about checked out, spending most of Part 1 attached at the hip with Yoko; George, who’s increasingly getting sick of John and Paul’s inflated ego’s (leading to his cliffhanger leaving of the band); and Ringo, who’s just there to make music and have fun. While still pounding out some classics, like Paul creating Get Back and Let It Be out of seemingly thin air, it’s evident the group has just about run it’s course, and to see all that unfold is mind boggling. 

Get Back Part 1, directed by Peter Jackson, isn’t just a brilliantly remastered (like it was shot yesterday) look at The Beatles as the begin Let It Be, but it’s a very important piece if history, brought to life in stunning detail, answering several of the questions about just what led to their eventual split. 

9.4/10