The Remastered Beatles Classic ‘Let It Be’ Film Will Stream on Disney+
via MattBear Music NZ / YouTube
Exciting news for Beatles fans and film enthusiasts! The Beatles’ iconic film, “Let It Be,” is getting a fresh lease on life. After over 50 years since its original release, this remarkable film will be available for streaming on Disney+ starting May 8. This marks a significant moment as the film has not been accessible for public viewing in decades.
A New Life for a Classic: The Restoration of ‘Let It Be’
The team responsible for the remastering is led by Peter Jackson at Park Road Post Production. Interestingly, this new version includes footage that was not part of Jackson’s “Get Back” docuseries from 2021, despite being showcased on the same platform, Disney.
“Let It Be,” under the direction of Michael Lindsay-Hogg, was first introduced to the world on May 13, 1970. This release came at a poignant time, just about a month following the Beatles’ breakup and merely a week after their album, titled the same as the film, made its debut.
In a conversation with Penny Black Music, Hogg shared some insights, emphasizing the complementary nature of “Let It Be” and Jackson’s “Get Back.” He stated, “Peter Jackson sees Let It Be and his Get Back as companion pieces. He thinks it’s very important that they are both out in the world. I hope Let It Be gets a re-release. It’s shorter and simpler, but because there isn’t as much in it, it’s easier to focus on certain things. Get Back is like a great novel, and Let It Be is like a great short story.” This comparison not only highlights the unique attributes of each work but also underlines their interconnectedness in narrating the Beatles’ story.
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The Technical Artistry Behind ‘Let It Be’ Restoration
The restoration of “Let It Be” was a meticulous process, utilizing the original 16mm negative. The audio for this remastering was enhanced using the same de-mixing technology previously employed in the “Get Back” series, ensuring a contemporary audio-visual experience that remains true to the original essence of the film.
Peter Jackson expressed his excitement about the project, acknowledging the indispensable role of the original piece in completing the narrative introduced in “Get Back.” “I’m absolutely thrilled that Michael’s movie, Let It Be, has been restored and is finally being re-released after being unavailable for decades,” Jackson remarked. He further elaborated on how “LetIt Be” and “Get Back” serve as narrative complements to one another, with “Let It Be” acting as the culmination of the story showcased over three parts in “Get Back.” Jackson added, “The two projects support and enhance each other: Let It Be is the climax of Get Back, while Get Back provides a vital missing context for Let It Be. Michael Lindsay-Hogg was unfailingly helpful and gracious while I made Get Back, and it’s only right that his original movie has the last word…looking and sounding far better than it did in 1970.”
This reunion of “Let It Be” with its audience is not merely a revival of a historic film; it’s a restoration of a piece of cultural heritage, brilliantly enhanced to meet contemporary standards without sacrificing its historical authenticity. The film’s return is a testament to the enduring legacy of The Beatles, whose music and influence continue to resonate through generations.
