A Major Disappointment

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Paul on the piano knocking out a classical piece; George helping Ringo compose Octopus's Garden on the piano; John and Yoko dancing to George's I, Me, Mine; John doing the slide guitar on his lap for George's For You Blue; Paul and Ringo pounding out some blues on the piano; Paul doing the beautiful un-Phil Spectorized version of The Long and Winding Road with a strong assist from the group and Billy Preston which was preceded by a gorgeous version of Let It Be; And it all culminates with the concert on the roof that frankly defies description. For all the things that I've read about the difficulty of these sessions, and some of that comes through in the movie, once they got going they sure all seemed to be enjoying themselves. If you're a fan this is a must. Even if you're not, it's great to revisit the late 60's Beatles. I'd have given it a 20 if I could!

Let It Be started out as a documentary about The Beatles recording material for what was to be their next album. What director Michael Lindsay Hogg got instead was a documentary about a band who's best days were (unfortunately)behind them & were obviously tired of it all and each other. Hogg shot something like 100 hours,or so,of footage of the Beatles in an glum,dour & sometimes depressed state of mind,and the look on their faces (especially Ringo's)expresses this. The film is broken up in four parts. The first,filmed at Twickenham Studios finds them rehearsing songs,getting in some heated debates,all the time with Paul McCartney trying to be boss of the band (at least in front of the camera). The second part takes place in the basement studios at their Apple Records building,as they jam on some of the oldies that they loved in their youth. In this sequence,they at least seem to be in a somewhat better state of mind (but you could tell that things were far from ginger peachy among them). The third sequence finds them performing what looks like a pre cursor to the MTV style of music video,with the band (with Billy Preston,on organ)playing 'Two Of Us','Let It Be',and a far superior version of 'The Long & Winding Road',without the cloying strings of Phil Spector in the background. The last,and best sequence of the film finds them playing what would be the final public performance of the Beatles,live on the roof of Apple Records for the famous (infamous)free,lunch time concert,which would eventually be shut down by the local Police (also featuring Billy Preston on electric piano). This is a sad,but worthy film for old & new Beatle fans. Although this film earned a 'G' rating by the MPAA in 1970, it does contain a bit of off colour language that'll probably go over the heads of most folk

Several people have mentioned poor synchronisation - this was obvious to me as a 19 year old, watching Maxwell's Silver Hammer when Let it be first came out.Audio tape was cheap, and the film crew had 2 sound recorders going constantly while the Beatles were recording, staggered so that one was still recording while the tape was changed on the other. As a result, pretty much all the performance and recording audio was preserved.Conversely, film stock, even 16mm, was expensive (Let it be was before video was commonly used for documentary purposes). The cameramen filmed in short, sharp bursts, and very few songs were captured in anything approximating their entirety.There were two results of this. One, editing the film meant that when there was no visual to match up with audio (Suzy Parker has been given as an example), the editors have to edit around by picking visuals which match as nearly as possible or which, at worst, don't contrast (ie. by showing John, mouth closed, while he's singing on the soundtrack). Two, the bootleg audio is filled with the cameramen saying take numbers followed by synchronisation beeps, because of the multitude of short film takes.Not exactly a review, I know........but see the film anyway. If they ever release it on DVD. It's an important historical document, it's bittersweet, and it's got some GREAT music!

Yes the film is poorly edited--the sound sometimes doesn't exactly sync...but hey its the Beatles. Finally playing themselves in a film designed to show off their musical roots and working toward an album stripped of the "hee, hee, hee" and "blowing bubbles through straws". I saw the film when it was released 37 years ago. I have a VHS copy. I watch it at least two times a year. I still to this day do not see a film about a group breaking up. Albeit--there were some tense moments...but what "family" doesn't have tense moments. I remember the scene between Harrison and McCartney over George's guitar playing for "I've Got A Feeling"/I remember the scene between Lennon and McCartney discussing George's reluctance to "going out on the road". Tense/Uptight--sure--but what shines the most is the music. The rooftop concert shows just how hot a band the Beatles actually were. I actually find the album to be a joy...they actually get a chance to rock out just like they did in the early days. And with a nod to Lennon, they actually had a bite to these new songs. To dismiss this film is a big mistake. If anything--it should be looked upon as a historical document. I am all in favor of the film coming out on DVD. It would be a blast to see the unused footage and more.