This forgotten 70s documentary about The Beatles has been restored for streaming

For the first time in over 50 years, Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s original 1970 film about The Beatles, Let It Be, will be available to watch all over again – and online, no less.

First released in May 1970 amidst the swirl of their breakup, Let It Be takes viewers into the studio as The Beatles, joined by Billy Preston, write and record their Grammy Award-winning album Let It Be.

“Once viewed through a darker lens, the film is now brought to light through its restoration and in the context of revelations brought forth in Peter Jackson’s multiple Emmy Award-winning docuseries, The Beatles: Get Back,” reads the synopsis.

In the 2021 docuseries, The Beatles: Get Back, the iconic foursome’s warmth and camaraderie were captured in a pivotal moment in music history.

Now, Let It Be has been restored with footage that wasn’t featured in Get Back. Below, we have all the details including when and where you can watch it.

Image: Getty

What is Let It Be about?

The original 1970 docuseries, Let It Be, features footage of The Beatles before their official break-up, including moments on Apple Corps’ London rooftop in January 1969 and their last ever live performance as a group.

“Let It Be was ready to go in October/November 1969, but it didn’t come out until April 1970. One month before its release, The Beatles officially broke up,” said director Michael Lindsay-Hogg.

“And so the people went to see Let It Be with sadness in their hearts, thinking, ‘I’ll never see The Beatles together again. I will never have that joy again,’ and it very much darkened the perception of the film.”

But, the way Michael sees it, the documentary gives fans a chance to see these artists do what they do best, which is “working together to make what they hear in their heads into songs”.

“And then you get to the roof, and you see their excitement, camaraderie, and sheer joy in playing together again as a group and know, as we do now, that it was the final time, and we view it with the full understanding of who they were and still are and a little poignancy,” he added.

Image: Getty

Who stars in Let It Be?

Let It Be, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, stars John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, with a special appearance by Billy Preston.

The film was produced by Neil Aspinall with The Beatles acting as executive producers. The director of photography was Anthony B Richmond.

Where can I watch The Beatles Let It Be documentary?

Let It Be will be available exclusively on Disney+ from May 8, 2024. Don’t have a subscription? You can sign up here now to start streaming.

Stream Let It Be and Get Back on Disney Plus from $13.99/mth.

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