Julian Lennon Shares That “Get Back” Film Made Him Appreciate His Dad More

Julian Lennon admitted that he “appreciate” his dad more after watching Peter Jackson’s documentary, The Beatles: Get Back.

Released on Disney+ on November 25, 2021, the documentary featured footages of the Fab Four recording their final studio album, Let It Be in 1969. It also reveals the disputes between the band members showing their personal differences before they disbanded.

Julian, the eldest of John Lennon’s sons, revealed seeing the documentary helped him remember his father. He explained to Yahoo Music:

“It really reminded me of the way Dad used to be.

“You know, when we were together, when I was a kid, he was funny, goofy, sarcastic, talented, moody, broody — but fun. And that was all the things that he was to me when we lived together. And it made me fall in love with him again, which was really lovely. It made me appreciate him again, and reminded me of how he was before everything went a bit pear-shaped.”

He echoed the change of perspective he said in a previous interview:

“After watching the documentary there was such pride seeing dad the way I used to know him as a kid. Remembering him and seeing him being a goofy bastard — but also being such a great writer, performer and singer.”

Julian and his father had a “love-hate” relationship. Julian’s late mother, Cynthia, was John’s first wife, they divorced in 1968, then John married Yoko Ono in 1969. However, Julian and John got to reconnect prior to the late Beatle’s tragic murder in 1980. Julian recalled:

“Certainly we tried to embrace each other’s company and tried to learn about each other again before he passed.

“And it was an enjoyable experience. It was great. And I was longing to hang out with him even more, but you know, sadly what happened, happened. … So, [Get Back] was just a way of remembering who he was and seeing the human side of him again. And that inspired me, and I loved that.”

Meanwhile, Julian’s new album is called Jude, a nod to the classic Beatles track “Hey Jude.” Paul McCartney initially wrote the song as “Hey Jules” in 1968 to comfort five-year-old Julian following his parents’ separation at that time. Julian said about the album:

“It just felt like the right title and the right thing, and owning it.

“It’s about also breaking through any fear and anxiety I used to have about the Beatles, about Dad, about everything.”