tHE BEATLES GET BACK
3 DVD Set Reviewed
20 illinoisentertainer . com march 2022
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By Steven Kikoen photo by Linda McCartney
eter Jackson ’ s The Beatles : Get Back is a revelation . The three-part docuseries ( now on 3 DVDs ) is a study of the creative process . Whether you are a rabid fan , an intermediate observer , or one of the uninitiated , you can ’ t deny the sheer talent that permeates the film . To witness the Beatles chasing the same things that we are , and in the same way , are stunning moments within the film that validates what we do as creatives . Observing their inner circle in such an intimately-exclusive way – the proverbial fly on the wall – is like having a master class in composition , lyricism , arranging , production , and direction simultaneously . Props go to Michael Lindsay-Hogg for shooting all the footage in his cinéma verité style . Peter Jackson is the first to acknowledge it : Lindsay-Hogg ’ s footage , originally shot for the maligned 1970 Beatles documentary Let It Be , gives the heart and soul to the docuseries . When watching Get Back , the whole is most definitely greater than the sum of its parts .
The first thing that grabs attention in Disc One is the complete absence of voice-over ; there are no cinematic edits or cuts to a narrative ; you are simply in the room with the Beatles . The only semblance of a narrative would be the occasional sentence or two of text appearing on the screen to underscore a point or set up the following sequence . Not only is the music creation itself breathtaking to watch , but the entire process of their banter , their endless goofing , their evident love for each other , and how they supported the music that is happening live . The band discusses how they want this next album and accompanying film to show them simply creating the songs in the studio , rehearsing , and ultimately performing 14 songs live on stage . They are constantly spitballing as to where the climatic location of a live TV special will be : Lindsay-Hoggs ’ favorite is to do a grand finalé with the Beatles performing live in an amphitheater in Tripoli . The lads don ’ t share his culminating grand vision .
On Disc One as we witness the genesis of a Beatles ’ song coming together out of thin air . The song is the iconic “ Get Back .” Paul has approached John when realizing that the goal they have set for themselves – creating 14 new songs in 3 weeks – has put extraordinary pressure on them . Since they began their residency at Twickenham studios , they haven ’ t made much headway in that regard . Until they do : On the morning of their fourth day and while awaiting John ’ s arrival , George and Ringo hold back yawns as they listen to Paul with his trusty Hofner bass in hand , trying to get something going . He is unconventionally playing his bass ; he ’ s playing an actual chord on the bass and strumming it like a guitar , giving him more of a background and a vibe that references the rhythm section of a band . The rhythm created will clearly become that of “ Get Back ,” but the amazing thing is that the song doesn ’ t exist yet – we are witnessing its birth . McCartney is humming and singing some nonsense syllables as he centers around a single note that will soon become “ Jo Jo ,” until he adds two more notes to his melody , which then unleashes the lyrics that suddenly appear , and the song magically now exists , wherein two minutes previous , it did not . Brilliant ( a good place to note that The Beatles could not read or write music ). They were running on pure instinct , playing it by ear , literally . This further mystifies their untouchable success . Famous classical composers have cited the Beatles for their incredibly successful songwriting abilities and powerful melodic writing , specifically Maestro Leonard Bernstein .
The conclusion of Disc One culminates when George announces quite casually that he ’ s leaving the group ; Lennon immediately quips “ when ?” and Harrison replies , “ now ; see you around the clubs .” This is , of course , due to the long-standing “ Harrison vs . Lennon & McCartney “ battle for song inclusion within their albums . Paul admits to George in the film that he often feels he is nothing more than an annoyance to him . Harrison is so tired of having his ideas brushed off by the Lennon / McCartney alliance that one can ’ t help but feel empathy for the obviously talented George . He has no collaborator , and he ’ s come later to the songwriting game . He asks if they would like to
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