The Beatles: Get Back, Region A

Having watched this three times on Disney, and the rooftop gig at the cinema, it is the most incredible footage of The Beatles at work and completely brings them to life in your own living room. You almost become part of the process. At around 7 hours it is completely engrossing and I for one could happily sit through the other footage that hasn’t been used. Obviously Peter Jackson’s editing is superb, but the actual filming by Michael Lindsay Hogg is masterful. Although it shows a generally positive vibe throughout, it all rapidly and acrimoniously fell apart not long after this was filmed, so I have no issue with MLH’s original Let It Be film, which in my option is quite balanced. Unlike the original film, there aren’t any full songs in the PJ version (other than the rooftop ones) and that is a shame and in my opinion the only thing that could improve an already amazing experience - there are many songs and you are drawn in only for them to cut short. There are no contemporary “talking heads” to spoil the flow of this documentary, only the live footage of those who were there creating the story. The product itself is flawless. Not impressed at all by the haphazard issue though, all seemed very amateurish. The months long will it or won’t it be issued, followed by an eventual release with month long delivery estimates, and even then only on Blu-ray, lead me to miss the initial affordable release, instead holding back for a copy I could buy in a physical shop. This never happened and the online shop supply also dried up, then sporadically reappeared at varying exorbitant prices with only imports available. Got my straight DVD copy eventually at good price, it is basically packaged in standard dvd flip case, absolutely no issue with that, no random rubbish to inflate the price, all you need is on the discs. The DVD region issue is also badly handled. I have an ancient region free player which plays the Region 1 disc without any issues, but I can imagine that this is just another added frustration for many in a region 2 zone. In my opinion this incredible film has been poorly marketed, and, other than big Beatles fans, so many people I speak to don’t even know it exists!

Having seen the old documentary Let It Be about the making of the album of that name, which was fantastic itself, I can honestly say that this new release, using the many many hours of extra footage which wasn`t used for the original film, is absolutely amazing. Quality is terrific for such old footage and the documentary gives so much insight to the group during the beginning of the end of the fab four. A must buy for any Beatles or music enthusiast. Fantastic!

I found Let It Be a depressing watch and listen at the time and ever since. Having read an excellent book called 'Get Back - the Let it Be recording disaster' I learned just how fragmented the Beatles were at this time. They had out grown George Martin. Brian Epstein was dead. John was a mess with heroin and besotted with Yoko Ono, who has a large presence in the footage here. John had released material with Yoko outside of the Beatles and would probably have just been happy to carry on doing that until the money ran out. George was coming up with some of the best material, but as per Beatles politics, was ignored and overlooked, to the point where he walked out on the band. Ringo also was caving in at this time - he looks bored most of the time, as there was a lot of sitting around moaning going on. They must have known the game was up for them. Only Paul McCartney really wanted to work. They were unable to talk to each other, or collaborate in any meaningful way as Yoko was never three feet away from John. The idea was t rehearse songs for a live show which would be filmed. they couldn't agree on that idea or a location. They ended up with a film about recording an album. The live footage of them on the roof of the Apple building is a total joy, however. Well worth the price of admission. It's great to see the two Police officers fobbed off as they turn up to turn the group off. The footage shows a band disinterested and unfocussed and who only start to behave when Billy Preston joins them on keyboards for the sessions. A depressing historical document which all Beatles fans should watch at least just once.

Although I purchased this item a long time ago, I have only just tried to view the dvd. Only then did I discover that the dvd is in the American format, NTSD. It will not play on my player. In the product details when I first purchased it, there was no mention that it was not a PAL dvd. I am extremely disappointed to only just have discovered this. Do you have a PAL version of this dvd that I can exchange the American version with please ?

Firstly cards on the table, I'm a Beatles nut and have form singing their praises via the revue section of Amazon. Now the review, the dvd packaging is quite flimsy but I assume that this is to reduce the use of plastic, score one for The Beatles. The dvd itself is actually a region 1 disc so I was quite reticent to buy for some time but in the end could resist no longer, so far I have tried it in 3 dvd players it worked fine in 2 but was a bit iffy in the other. So region wise I suggest you pays your money you takes your chance. The documentary itself of course I had already watched it more than once so I knew what to expect. To cut a long story short you get to see The Beatles writing and rehearsing songs for a live show. For many years this period was made out to be all doom and gloom, and there are moments of tension on display, you also see 4 mates enjoying eachother. There are also moments that are genuinely moving, for example John Lennon is speaking about writing with Paul and how he doesn't really do it anymore when it's suggested that they aren't as close as they once were John admits they aren't and looks gutted at the realisation, also after an argument only Paul and Ringo turn up the next day after jokingly brushing it off Paul says " then there were 2" he appears close to tears. As I see it you have a documentary that shows 2 things going on. 1, The Beatles are breaking up and they all know it. 2, 4 mates that enjoy making music together. In my opinion it's a must see.

Watched over three days, as there is so much to see which is great. Seeing how their songs were created, crafted and performed is a privilege of historic importance and just wonderful to see. Geniuses and jet just ordinary young people. A work of art for all time.

I really wanted this, but took a long time to watch. I thought I knew a lot about the Beatles, but this was a revelation. If only the same was available for the Revolver or Pepper era. I always wanted to see Let It Be; I guess this version will have to do. Still the best band ever.

The footage we thought we never see. A great behind the scenes documentary showing the highs and lows of a troubled album. A must for true fans and interested new fans. Excellent documentary