Yes. And I was surprised to see that he showed up just to visit the Beatles as an old friend, rather than invited in purposefully. Of course the Beatles were smart enough to plug him in immediately-perfect timing.
@@jonterry2590 I wondered that, but if so, the film would have shown that-it would be significant. George DID say (earlier, like a few days before) “we need another band mate.”
Oh my, that Allen Klein moment gave me a really visceral reaction. I was literally shouting “No, John - don’t!!” at the screen! Really unnerving moment.
I think it was very restrained of Peter Jackson not to put in some ominous, discordant music, dim the brightness, and have some bats fly by at the top edge of the screen.
Yeah ... me too, I'm think it was John naivete and gullibility that got them hooked up with Klein and eventually forced Paul to have to sue the other Beatles ... and then the humiliation of having to break up their assets and sell their music library ... ugh.
Billy Preston’s arrival really livened up the recording sessions. His infectious grin and energy were so fun to watch, and the takes sounded complete with those keyboard riffs.
The hidden microphone scene was really a jaw dropping moment and it was clear how the atmosphere changed from twickenham to saville row. The India section which we got to see John and Paul’s films was also really good as well. It’s nice to see the balance we have so far of them having a really good time and feeling comfortable with each other whether that’s them jamming with each other or reminiscing but also showing scenes in which Paul’s close to tearing up due to the situation
The hidden mic conversation! The teary Ringo and Paul! Paul talking about how much he understood John and Yokos love! Tissues.....I went through lots of tissues!
It sounds dreadful unless you really understand a bond that those guys had since they were very young. People often change and grow out of each other. But underneath that reality, the love and respect for people is somehow bigger than anything put together. We're just now witnessing footage from 52 years ago that's never been revealed until now from the most influential band in music history and to see human emotions from them is a sight to see. It takes 4 tires to make a car run. And you can see how they make it work. You can't have a rainbow until you have the rain.
@@ConglomerationCat Well said! This amazing documentary not only shows the magic of their creative process but the beautiful energy between them. Both are so powerful and moving! John is funny and sweet. His command of words.....such a poet. Paul looks worried about details but ever the song writing genius. George gets For You Blue done in two takes! He also offers the most profound insight when the are discussing India. Ringo is a calming presence with just the right amount of beat....everytime. Because the film is unrushed, it's like we get to sit there with them. Just hang out quietly while they write masterpieces. Yoko is fine. By then, they seem to be use to her presence. (She is there during the White Album as well.) Paul and John laugh and share and harmonize while she reads or paints in the corner. John needs her and it shows that they love him enough to be ok with that. They may not understand it fully, but they appear unbothered.
Wow this is even better than Part 1. Amazing ‘secret’ conversation between John & Paul. Ringo & Paul so sad at the beginning when John hadn’t turned up. Both tears in their eyes even more poignant now when they say “and then there were two” Got wet eyes myself seeing that scene so can’t imagine how Beatles families & friends would feel. When eventually they got into Apple 🍏 & Billy showed up wow they were back on fire! Part 3 going be awesome with full rooftop concert. Great review Andrew. Now let’s hope the Blu-ray extended edition follows soon. Mr Jackson, Giles Martin & everyone who worked on this deserve awards.
When Paul said "And then there were two.", all I could think at that moment is the current state of The Beatles. We have only two left, Paul and Ringo.
Part 2 is so much happier and fun. It’s like they finally have a purpose and a plan (sort of). That one bit where Paul is holding back the tears is quite hard. Billy Preston was awesome and chilled
This 3 Part series (especially the candid canteen moment) will be talked about for years. The whole thing so far has been fascinating and astonishing. The audio bootlegs clearly didn’t give the whole story. The visuals coupled with the new audio separation technology (kudos to Jackson and his team) and then all the careful re-mixing/editing has given us what we are now experiencing - which at times is quite truly jaw-dropping for Beatles fans. I think the visuals improving in Part 2 also might be due to different film stock, or possibly better focus pulling inside the Saville Row studio. It all seems sharper. The covid pandemic has been disastrous for the planet in a myriad of ways. But it provided Jackson with the extra time to turn a 2 hour documentary feature into an 8 hour deep revelation and an opportunity for people to experience with clarity the most important music act in human history towards the end of their run. Wow.
Seeing this truly is like a dream come true. It’s very inspiring to see how happy they were for the latter part of making the album. Seeing their smiles and how they bounce around could never be adequately felt just by listening to the bootlegs. Makes me love the album more tbh.
What makes this documentary so special is the fact that this gives us the previously totally unexpected opportunity for us to watch and see (instead of just to listen) to the Beatles performing some of the songs in the later part of their years together as a band after they stopped performing live on stage and turned into a studio recording band. We get to see almost all other bands performing their biggest hits on live tours, but we never get to see the Beatles doing that even in the studio, let alone on live stage, after they stopped doing all public performances in 1966. There's not a single video capturing them performing any songs in Sgt Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, and White Album. The music videos of some of the songs didn't really count as they were not really performing the songs live on those. And then this documentary added to the original Let It Be movie giving us not just the opportunity to watch and see them play the songs (mostly from the Let It Be as well as the Abbey Road albums) together, we get to be up close and personal with them as they composed the songs and gradually perfected them into the big hit songs as we know them. Very precious indeed. We are so lucky to have this after more than 52 years, and we didn't even know that the unedited takes had been well preserved for so long. Thanks to Peter Jackson, Apple and Disney+, and definitely a big thanks to the Beatles! A very generous gift for all the fanatical fans for sure. Kind of sad that now Part 3 is over, knowing that it was probably the very last hidden treasure of this best band ever in history.
Some of my noticeable things are: John and Paul’s bond was quite something, they really loved each other; Yoko had a very, very benign presence; they desperately needed direction, organising and focus - they missed Brian, and knowing Klein and the major fracture in the band is just on the horizon was sad to see; John is hilarious; Billy Preston was the perfect presence for these sessions. Just a privilege to really get to see them and know them. Great to see the wives, roadies and producers as well. Gold dust!
Beatles were great singers writers musicians, that was enough, they didn’t want to have business to deal with? They trusted Epstein, he did the business and they didn’t have too think about all that? Business men screwed the Beatles, after Epstein’s death! Had he not died at 32, the Beatles probably would have gone on a few years more?
These past few days have been an emotional rollercoaster watching the Beatles!! I was lucky to see the 100 minute preview in Liverpool on the 24th, which showed the full rooftop concert among some other stuff which led up to it, and the whole rooftop day was so incredibly fascinating and enthralling. I can't wait to rewatch it! The preview also had quite a few cutaways throughout (especially in the first half) of Peter Jackson commentating about what is happening and even doing some narration (obviously a lot of context was left out in the preview). While this had some interesting insights, I really appreciate the complete lack of any narration in the series, just letting the footage speak for itself. It really makes for an extraordinary, uncoloured, fly-on-the-wall experience.
That's great you got to see that! I hope that is an extra in the DVD/Blu Ray, or at least the Peter Jackson parts explaining his process, would love to see all that.
Watching the Beatles anthology in 1995 there were some moments that I used to close my eyes. They made me cringe. Because Paul would be talking. And George will be drowning him out with the guitar intentionally. Now I notice how that started. In get back, when George gets aggravated with Paul. Paul is always playing loud. And John and Paul I agree we’re geniuses but they did ignore Georges ideas songs and music at times. So now I can understand George”s attitude so much better. Also Paul was pretty sympathetic towards Yoko. Paul has a tendency to rewrite history sometimes. But this movie showed me that alot of things he has said through the years were very much true! ❤️ of the four beatles It’s pretty obvious that Paul and Ringo Wanted the band to stay together the most.
@Anthony Danes. Well said. Paul would rewrite history, and in some cases, embellish it. I know the history of the band and have read most all biographies of them, curious that I have only recently heard Paul describe what & who Blackbird was written about. It is quite possible that it is a truthful revelation, just seems convenient in this time that Paul would claim that the song was inspired by the Little Rock 9 women that were prevented from entering an all-white school. Can anyone confirm when this was first revealed by Paul? It is is quite an important revelation if true, just surprised that he would wait for so long to share that revelation or perhaps I am the daft one and missed it some how ….appreciate everyone’s insight here….
The most moving moment for me was the scene when Ringo played his song Octopus's Garden on the piano, which was in its infancy at that moment, and George immediately jumped in and tried to help him with his guitar. A really nice camaraderie and a convincing sign of their friendship.
The part near the beginning where Paul just stares off into space and doesn't say a word after saying "and then there was two" was heartbreaking to say the least. But this documentary as a whole has been nothing short of fantastic for me. Have enjoyed every second of the first 2 parts so far.
Seeing Paul genuinely supporting Yoko and John's relationship was beautiful. So far, my favorite thing has been seeing how close they really were, and how they had each other's backs.
When Billy Preston drops by the change in the mood is amazing. He lifts the room as a person and his musical input is just incredible. What a fabulous guy.
Paul contemplating band splitting was a highlight, John asking to record For you blue again knowing George wanted to improve his guitar bit was great to see but the way billy preston lifted everything was priceless!
Too bad we only heard edited version of the song instead of the whole thing. Let it be movie is looking much better to me now because there’s more full songs in it than part 1 and 2 combined.
Primrose Hill would have been fantastic... Lennon is a completely different guy in episode 2, hes really with it, sharp and funny, particularly from when the 5th Beatle turns up.
Basically Andrew both parts have been absolutely astonishing & the footage just mind blowing & watching these songs being born before our eyes is just something else & as for the bickering between Paul & George now what really happened has been seen (and heard!) it just proves the original Get Back film was edited in such a way to paint McCartney in a poor light as let's face it everyone in all walks of life have fall outs at work & just remember the Beatles were working here!! 5 & a half hours already with part 3 coming tomorrow & bring it on is all I can say & John, Paul, George & Ringo with Billy Preston latterly really show the world the art of making music made to look so so easy.... Yes as you've guessed I'm loving it 👌
How I wish they'd have filmed the making of all their albums! This is absolutely fascinating & like all good films makes me laugh, cry & also has me on the edge of my seat. My opinion on The Beatles is dubious to say the least .....I'd happily watch them paint a wall & I'd think it was amazing! 🤣
i think this is the best one out of the two (even though i love it sooo much). i think my highlight for this part was either them going through get back to be ready for its single release or the private conversation in the canteen since to them they're away from the camera's and it felt like we were seeing the real John Lennon and Paul McCartney rather than their entertaining personalities they had for the cameras. i think one of the best parts of this movie series is when you hear each song in its infancy and when you hear one you recognise you kinda go "oohh i know that one" which i love that feeling for each. the jam for i bought a piano the other day was amazing to see in high def and crisp audio too. also the i dig a pygmy with Charles Hawtrey and the deaf aids was amazing to see in context. the oh darling demo was great too. i thank you for doing these videos they're great!
@@kianwelsh4451 I wonder if we'll see that come up in any forthcoming interviews.... I presume he must have given Peter Jackson permission to use it, but yeah, what must it have felt like for him to have heard that for the first time in 52 years??
@@buddyneher9359 Peter Jackson has said that he presented the full documentary to all four parties and all four authorized him to proceed with NO changes.
Great review again Andrew. One moment that really hit me was when George was gone and there was no sign of John and Paul said 'and then there were two' ....the two he was referring to are coincidentally only two that we have left with us now. It nearly brought a tear to my eye.We all miss John and George so much. Anyway, the feel of the rest of the episode is so much better. It was lots of fun to watch. I agree when talk of Allen Klein popped up it brought a sense of dread because we all know what's coming for the next year....and how it will end. Watching Billy Preston was so cool. Every single shot of him showed a grin from ear to ear and who could blame him. Is there any one of us who hasn't dreampt of the Beatles saying ' hey, you wanna come and sit in with us?' It's amazing. So anyway, I'm really looking forward to part 3 and I'll be watching your review of it too!
Another great review! My take on the Peter Sellers visit is that he's read in the papers that the split-up drama is catastrophic, so Peter is being careful not to be comedic, which could be construed as making light of a bad situation in a shallow way. Of course, contrary to the papers, there was no heavy tragedy going down and John wanted some witty quipd out of Peter. So anyway, I think Peter was surprised and thrown off that there was no heavy atmosphere. Also, it seems that Peter Sellers was tense himself, somewhat worried about how his movie was going to come together, would Ringo be available and ready on time, possibly concerned about pre-production, in general. I continue to be amazed at how much goofing off they were doing, as if they had all the time in the world. They had plenty of song fragments they could have used immediately, but they just weren't polishing songs at an urgent rate, instead being content to muck about for friggin' hours. George Martin seems so bored with it all. By the way, that art dealer, Fraser, was outed some time later as being their drugs connection during this period. So, yeah, he was dealing more than art! So, Fraser turns up probably to discreetly take orders (no doubt from all 4 and whomever else)!
I did not know that but funny how I got that vibe from him immediately. There's a moment when John & Yoko are squatting for privacy behind the console towards the end of the day, looking quite sheepish and during the goodbyes look like they couldn't get out quick enough, presumably to go get high... Total speculation on my part.
Sellers is being shown around the sound stages by Denis O’Dell (worked for Apple) who is the producer of The Magic Christian that Sellers and Ringo will start filming there in a couple of weeks. There is some really poor quality black & white bootleg footage from that day where Sellers is sat on his own with John and Yoko, for ages chatting with them in a different part of the building. I can’t for the life of me remember what they are talking about.
Great review. Two great revelations is how Mal Evans had the greatest job in the world and #2 is how Billy Preston was seriously considered to being a fifth Beatle!
Well done Andrew - with a great distillation of episode 2! Re: Footage of the lads in Rishikesh... The film was done by Canadian journalist Paul Saltzman and is a 22 minute documentary entitled: Meeting The Beatles in India. It's available on his website. He also took many of the iconic photos during his stay. There are also some excellent radio interviews with Saltzman recounting his time spent with all four of The Beatles.
Incredible! Once they came back to Savillr Row and George comes back it’s such a different atmosphere. Fun to watch Paul be so much more taciturn after the row.
The most astonishing thing revealed to me, having watched this 3 part documentary, was how they ever got any work done? Most of the footage is them in the studio horsing around and playing other artists songs. This makes me respect the Beatles more knowing how effortless it was for them to produce such great music! I loved the part with George as he comes in and shows them his new song, ‘I Me Mine’ that he had just wrote the night before. Unbelievably talented band. And watching them in the studio polishing their genius was a great experience. Wish they had footage of them in the studio for some of the earlier albums, but this will do. Very enjoyable documentary!
Andrew, I can't wait until it gets released on cd/bluray. Possibly in 2022 we can hope Disney to release the documentary with the cooperation with Peter Jackson and Apple corp. Your criticing in detail is awesome. Keep up the good work.
I don't think you mentioned what was so engaging about Part II: Lennon has assumed leadership. Part 1 was really Paul McCartney and The Beatles. Part II Lennon is (mostly) engaged (there are some ADHD moments). Also, the cafeteria conversation, which I am sure will be analyzed for years, is interesting that Paul says/acknowledges to John that John is the boss Beatle. Interesting because, while that may be true, Paul is flowering as a composer and arguably outshining Lennon by this point artistically. Part II also shows how John and Paul dominate the band. They are like a duo. I think what is drawing people mostly to this doc is that people are so curious about the relationship between John and Paul and how these great songs were achieved. We see it, yet still remains a mystery. There is Paul pulling Get Back out of the air, and the other Beatles adding great, iconic parts. How did they do that? I am sure they do not even know. The mystery will continue.
I agree, there was stuff going on with their chemistry that seems beyond understanding. We keep trying to figure it out as more pieces of the puzzle become available, but it remains as elusive today as when they were together. I don't think they knew/know either.
Interesting approach to Lennon's leadership too. Paul used to say that John would joke around before their really big TV or Concert gigs to relax the group and that they found that approach to be very encouraging to their confidence and morale before hitting "their marks." That's what I think we see here as well....it's a disarming trait and relieved the tension between the band members and help them to set-aside the ever-approaching pressures imposed upon them by deadlines (whatever that might have been at any given time...."red light" proper recording, TV Special, Feature Film and ultimately a live rooftop performance). The point of playing so many oldies, and older songs from their catalog is all part of that process of getting the band to play together as a unit and with confidence. By the end of episode 2, George has experienced a sea-change in his demeanor simply by having so many joyous, and consecutive, days of performing in that group setting (a point he shares with the others...he feels he's playing well, and that they're playing well together: John expresses the same opinion and confidence.) It's Paul, of all people, who is still nervous at this point (as Peter Jackson has recently noted ....). Of course, John is simply hilarious throughout episode two which wasn't nearly as evident in the first episode (though he had his comic moments...). John and Yoko were both about half a year into a heroin addiction (they snorted the stuff and managed to get off of it the next year without going to rehab...which almost NEVER happens...). So, his focus and productivity for songwriting simply wasn't there; and, whatever energy he did possess was directed toward his relationship with Yoko: he wanted out of the Beatles...and it was breaking Paul's heart. This is a GREAT Beatles film.....I'm glad I've survived long enough to see it. Peter Jackson was the PERFECT choice to helm this project...
While I get it that John was the boss Beatle, I didn't see his direct leadership on display. In this documentary (so far) Paul is clearly driving the boat while John is in the passenger seat entertaining the four of them. If John was deemed the boss Beatle, my hunch is Yoko's presence diluted his leadership credibility. Instead he came across as goofy, showing up without having the same investment as Paul in this project or in them as a band. In some ways this has been sad to watch because it's like watching the beginning of a car accident in slow motion.
Yes, the Paul is Dead thing is dead in the water, thankfully. Part Two even more amazing than Part One. Thanks again for your reviews Andrew, you're the go-to Beatles guy on YT.
I love this sooo much - it's like finding a secret new room in your home. The restoration is so vibrant, it's like John and George have come back from the dead, and Paul and Ringo dipped in the fountain of youth.
Loved the 2nd part. Lots of goofing around and lots of cigarettes smoking!!!!! Billie Preston gave them a shot of adrenaline.....Let it be is an iconic song and yet it is received rather simply by everyone!!! I don't want this to end.....
2 takeaways for me: Ringo and Paul in tears at the thought of the Beatles breaking up. And how happy George is to be back. By this time Patti is also back home which I’m sure helped. Why that isn’t talked about more I don’t understand.
@@carlfisher3924 Peter Jackson, as part of the long interview he gave on 'Things we said today', did mention that George had been having problems at home, but that he (Jackson) decided not to go into that part of the story, out of respect for the privacy of others.
@@CathalBui Interesting. That was definitely a significant moment in Episode 2 when Patti came in and gave George a kiss. Very much added to the improved energy, as well as Billy Preston's presence. I can hardly wait for Episode 3!
Agree with your analysis Andrew, regards to the visit from Peter Sellers it was very strange as if he was overwhelmed by sitting with them and he had no script 🤔 maybe. Paul's rendition of the paper review was so funny and Lennon singing through it was almost like Paul's way of endorsing how he feels through a paper article and Lennon ignoring the truth by singing over him 🤷....but I love this and just fantastic viewing.
I agree with this… it was mentioned by many who knew him that he was only really dynamic when he was playing a character, mimicking voices, gooning around (excuse the pun)… it was an extremely awkward watch when he was on set but telling also
Hey Andrew - brilliant job by you, so far. No surprises there, my friend. Having now watched episodes 1 & 2, I am 100% sure that if John hadn't have met Alien Klien, that the Beatles would have ultimately found a manager that cared for them and they would have stayed together - going off with solo projects and then coming back together again. Absolutely no doubt about that!
Alien Klien ??? LOL I think I agree with you, but these guys were also being pushed to the limit, and I think they were all exhausted and malnourished, and stressed out betting their whole future on doing an whole Beatles quality album in a month - and planning a show as well. It was too much.
Excellent summary and analysis of part 2. You discussed the most important elements of the episode. By the way, I like your guitar lamp in the background!
Mal Evans looked like such a div , but he was so important in keeping the Beatles sane , he also helps with the lyrics sometimes, very important to have someone like him around, he was a confidence booster guy, and he from the footage he pushed the guys into working on their songs more, asking if they have anymore lyrics , putting very subtle pressure on them. Interesting viewing
Did any one else notice Ed Sheeran hanging around in the background, getting them coffee etc ? (he's rich enough now to have built a time machine and perhaps a couple of draft songs went missing.....). On a serious note, Peter Jackson & his crew have done an amazing job and it's incredible to be watching this old/new material in such vivid definition.
Great recap but you skipped over what I thought was the other extraordinary moment in the series. Just after Peter Sellers leaves, John talks about mistreating his body and getting high. Paul is obviously agitated and lectures John about not exploring the canyons of his mind and getting on a schedule. They’re both speaking poetically and in a bit of code until it ends with John telling Paul “It’s a lot to live up to.” I had to rewatch it five times. I think it’s the most revealing insight into their relationship at this point. It’s strained by John’s heroine use and Paul’s relentless work ethic.
I thought part 2 was fantastic. Loved it from start to end. Billy Preston certainly kicked things up a gear. John was so upbeat in this one…..almost becoming leader again. Looking forward to part 3!!
At the beginning of Part 2, there is a scene when Paul and Ringo were talking about the future of the band after George leaving at the end of Part 1 and the fact that John might not showed up either. Paul said that now there were just the two of them. He almost broke down and we could see his teary eyes as he was about to cry. It's kind of sad to learn years later that indeed Paul and Ringo are the only ones left after John departed way to soon in 1980 and George passed away in 2001.
To your point around 05:30 -- In the beginning of part 1, they explain that they were shooting at Twickenham Studios BECAUSE THAT WAS WHERE RINGO WAS SHOOTING MAGIC CHRISTIAN starting in February. It was all Apple, so they gave the Beatles one of the studios they had rented for Magic Christian. That's why it had to be finished before February, but RIngo wasn't going away, he was shooting at Twickenham and around England in February with Peter Sellers.
I enjoyed part 2 as much as you, Andrew, but I also felt a sense of relief that the stories we've heard for the last 50 years about the arguments and bad feeling during this period proved to be largely untrue.
.. What???.. George left and stayed away for 3 weeks.. George Martin, left and didn't want anything to do with the project.. Yoko's presence was a major problem for Paul and George.. don't let them rewrite history
@@imemine6494 George was away for a week, and it was only 5 days later that he agreed to come back. George Martin was involved throughout, not in his normal role but he's there and involved.
@@imemine6494 Yoko didn't seem to be a problem. She and Linda were very chatty and friendly. Paul said he understood that if John had to choose between The Beatles and Yoko, he'd choose Yoko and he said, "You know what, Yoko's all right".
@@AndrewDixonMusic.. Yeah, but George Martin was not happy, hense the fact he wasn't the producer.. George was away for long enough for Lennon to threaten to have him replaced
"Here we go, it's starting...". Exactly how I felt that moment too. To be clear though, I'm getting much more joy than sorrow from this telling of the tale - one that feels pretty authentic too.
Just finished watching episode 1 and I noticed that John actually was bringing a lot of songs to the sessions, they just weren't spending much time working on them. I heard him playing Don't Let Me Down, Gimme Some Truth, Child of Nature (an early version of Jealous Guy), One After 909 and Across The Universe. The only songs that actually made it to the album were the last two. John had enthusiasm for the project, but I get the sense that he wasn't taking it as seriously as Paul and wasn't as assertive about working on his material as Paul, and perhaps not as much as he may have been in the past. But you can't say he didn't bring a lot of new songs to the session.
I think he lost a bit of confidence at this time in the face of Paul’s output. Heroin may not have helped. George also had all these amazing songs that ended up on All Things Must Pass, but they couldn’t get much interest either. Shame on both counts.
I thought Peter was a good friend to the Beatles, but it sure doesn't look like it here. He had a great improvisational wit, but he isn't showing any signs of it
Just seen Part 3. Wow! Only thing I didn’t like was the ending. We see Beatles & everyone listening to the playback from rooftop concert which is great. Then unfortunately we don’t get to see full versions of the completed ‘promo’ video takes that they recorded the day after. Just snippets & banter. Hopefully these & other footage shot on this ‘last’ day will be available on Blu-ray release. Would be great to be able to select different angle shots during concert too & have a ‘clean’ performance without the public interviews. RCA did this quite a number of years back with Elvis’ 68 & Aloha From Hawaii tv specials. And pretty please Apple 🍏 can you please get the copyright ‘issues’ sorted out for Shea Stadium, Tokyo, Paris, Munich, Melbourne & ‘Around The Beatles’ etc and get Mr Jackson onboard.
Yea. I was disappointed in that as well. They could have played the full concert without people on the street interviews, played the complete versions of the promos and then ran the people on the street commentary with the credits. I would like to see Jackson restore the Concert for Bangaladesh.
Introducing your host for this evening…. The Rolling Stones! Just kidding, it’s Andrew! Thanks for your great commentary. This documentary truly feels special to me, and sharing it with Beatles fans has been a Beautiful experience! I’m 22 years old and these kinds of releases open up so much to my generation (and younger). Love your channel and your thoughts on the first two parts. Long live the Beatles!!!!
Thanks Machiel, it's good that you're getting to experience something similar to the excitement of when the Anthology came out in 1995, I would have been a similar age to you then and it was just so great to experience so I know how you're feeling!
Well done, Andrew! Nice review. The Allen Klein presence; oh dear, that's all we need! Still, this documentary sounds as good as can be wished for. I just hope that we have a decent DVD release with a battleship load of extras, and not too long in the future either! So far, so ace! Now, take care of that voice! Just one more to go, now!
What I got from the scene of Paul reading the article and John playing and singing loudly is that John didn't want to remind George about what he had put the group through. But Paul keept right on reading. I felt rather uncomfortable and just wanted Paul to shut up. The scene lasted too long. They should have just shown about 30 seconds of it, but it seemed like it went on for hours.
I think that scene showed quite a nasty side to Paul. It’s obviously directed as you say, at George, to remind him of what happened only a few days before. The way John and George just carry on says to me that they just hoped he was going to shut up. I’m guessing they couldn’t believe he was actually going to read it all out. That was a definite choice from Paul to do that.
Idk what part 3 will entail, but I wish they would've shown footage of the final takes of the songs for let it be. I know they showed 'for you blue' but I wished we got more takes of the songs that we know and love today.
What has surprised me is the lengths of the episodes. 156 mins for the first episode, 176 minutes for the second, only Peter Jackson knows for the third episode. But at 5 hours and 22 mins for the first two episodes, those two episodes together are nearly as long as the publicised six hours total. But the longer the episodes the better as far as I am concerned. The less footage and audio there is left unused for bootleggers to continue to trade with the better.
one of the things i noticed as a guitar player was that the beatles didn't use guitar stands!-all those priceless guitars leaned up against chairs or lying on the floor!
Episode II felt a little sad at first and then intense but sure turned fun. Like everyone else I'm sure, the secret recording of Paul and John was a bit shocking. Who could not love when Billy Preston entered the studio?! Just can't wait for Part III.
re: Bowties at 20:09 or so-- Yes, John asks Mal on camera to get him a black bow tie after he sees George's. it happens fast, but if you go back, you'll see what I'm saying.
I am in now .. my daughter figured out for me 😀. This had been nothing short of spectacular in my pinion. I agree with all you said .. very emotional to see Paul close to tears
It’s so uncanny and on-the-nose with references you almost want to know who’s this perfectly cast actors because it can’t possible be a documentary it’s must be a premium series.
I’ve never seen the original film.. I’ve heard the Let It Be album though. NOW I get to see,through Peter Jackson’s work, how the songs came together.. why they preformed on the roof.. which I’ve seen THAT dozens of times…
Yes, depth, and not shying away from reality is true Beatles style. Their lyrics never shied away from real emotions. That's why they've been so deeply loved. Their songs spoke to hearts - even the lighter songs. Because we all live in a yellow submarine.
Get Back? More like Let It Be +! And I honestly say this in the most loving and complimentary way possible! I really love how it starts and it seems like we're somehow seeing behind the scenes stuff we weren't meant to see. But once they're all relocated to Apple Studios and they're in alright-let's-make-a-record mode, I love how the songs are taking shape. But once Billy Preston comes in and starts playing keyboards, that's when it all starts to fall into place! My favorite moments: when Paul says, "...and then there were two." Again it's so revealing to see the uncertainty and puzzlement on Sir Paul's face--it's like a humanizing element to the film reminding us that, yes, they too were human. The recording of For You Blue, the whole routine behind it. It's like a curtain has opened and we get a look at how they did it! And, of course, I love when Billy Preston comes in and adds his little bit of blessed magic, it makes the songs come to life! I am really loving this Get Back film, it's everything I wanted to see from this period...and then some!
Andrew, do you think it would be a fair assumption that the start of the end of the Beatles began with Alan Klein? I appreciate you might not want to answer this question on the comment section so no worries if you don't want to reply. How can people say this is revisionism when it is real footage? I wonder if the internet as turned many people into being hyper critics?
I haven't seen either episode yet, but I can't wait! My mom took me to the original Let It Be when I was 11 years old, and I remember both loving it and feeling somewhat depressed about it. The mini-argument between Paul and George really unsettled my sensitive little mind. Thanks for revealing a piece of trivia I'd never known before--that the Beatles knew Billy Preston from their days in Hamburg! I always wondered how they felt about him playing and recording with them and how he felt about them, because the original movie didn't seem to focus on their interactions all that much. Now I realize that they really did see him as one of the band.
Billy was the keyboard player for Little Richard, who was the headline act in Hamburg. The Beatles were the opening act. Billy would get free steak dinners for The Beatles as they were not allowed free food. That's how the friendship started.
W o W! Another excellent review! AAA+ -- viewing the 3rd one today, after work is done. -- CANNOT WAIT!!! -- and I thought I was a Beatle enthusiast! (...and I am, since 9 years old and Feb. '64 The Ed Sullivan shows -- purchasing each album and 45rpm as they were initially released. Still collecting.) Bravo to you, Mr. Dixon. You have certainly made enlightening, informative reviews of Peter Jackson's Masterwork! Thank you!!!! ---- Neil K
The stand out thing for me from episode two was seeing the relationship between Paul and John, there’s lots of scenes where they just seem to be hanging on every word the other one says, it’s just obvious how much they thought of each other, even in the audio from the canteen there’s huge respect for the others opinion. You can also see it in the way Paul is laughing at all John’s jokes when they’re all sitting round in Twickenham near the start - was great to see!
I enjoyed this review as I did with yesterdays. No mention was made at the beginning of the review concerning Magic Alex. He was supposed to have everything ready for them at Savile Row, but as they mentioned, and as Beatles books describe, none of it worked. Wikipedia describes him as an electronics engineer---which is sort of an insult to electronic engineers everywhere---but still a very colorful character who's work Lennon believed in until he proved himself to be a joke. Basically Alex was a snake oil salesman that used impossible electronics as his product.
I love it seeing them do their magic n being silly. I never realized how beautiful Linda was and the love Paul had for her showed. loved the scene of Paul sitting on her lap n stroking her hair.
I seen the first two episodes and loved every minute of it! The only thing that I'd wish was present was after George come back to the band and they reunite in the new Apple studios at Savory row, there is no footage of what went on inside the studio that day. You only see them driving up and getting out their cars and walking in the studio. That would've been really something to see.
Part two is fascinating more for the politics than the music until George returns and the show moves to Apple. Billy Preston’s contribution is awesome. What I also found strange is that Klein is arranging to see John on his own and John doesn’t involve the others
Klein knew exactly what he was doing. Get John and the others will follow…..but Paul didn’t. I truly believe that Allen Klein caused the break up. When that part came up I was thinking…..no John, say no to a meeting….clearly although there is friction amongst them, at this point they don’t look like a band breaking up.
@@Hammerman48 I tend to agree. Paul was proved right about Klein in the end but boy did he have to suffer and go through hell for years before Klein's practices were revealed.
@@jeffmurray1681 Yes that is a very good point you make. It would have also been bad to go with the in laws. I should have not overlooked that aspect. Cheers
@@Hammerman48 They don't sound like a group braking up. I agree. There was a part where George is referring to the songs and how it will be like a constant rehearsal and revising of the songs as they keep on performing them. I've heard and interview with them all after this project and John and George of all people referred to the Beatles as having a future. As getting back together by the Summer for the next album. So to me Yoko and her recommendation to Klein had broke up the band.
Hi, The secret recording between Paul and John where they said they treated George not at their best. What I missed is, why they didn't told that to George ...... come on, they're grown ups. Luckily Billy Preston arrived which lifted their mood. And that was at the right time, otherwise there would have not been an album, called Let It Be. I think The Beatles were at theur deepest low in personal relation to each other.
Paul"s comment about how they were at their best (or something along those lines) when their backs were up against the wall seems to speak volumns for how things unfolded. Once they'd made their millions and were world renown, their backs were no longer against the wall to produce new music. Their success provided each of them with a lot more options, including the option to step away from the group. And once the pandemic started limiting Paul and Ringo's options, and there were new messages that needed to be heard, we saw a resurgence of output from both of them. Time is no longer on their side so much, so maybe their backs have 'gotten back' up against the wall, such that we'll be seeing more from them. Let's hope so, because the world needs that caliber of work with the wisdom they've gained over the years so the world sees just how important their work has really been, and can be, even if it ends up having a flaw or two. Among the greats, they're still allowed that humanity, after all. Just please, don't go with auto tune. There's a truth to the rawness of your aging voices that is irreplaceable.
George was right to insist them leaving Twickenham, as it wasn't even a recording studio. I'm not surprised at all that they got so little done there. And even when they got to Apple Studios, it apparently was not set up properly for them. It's shocking to me that the biggest band in the world would be put in such inadequate working conditions. Seriously, somebody should have been fired for that.
