Get Back to the 70’s

Peter Jackson's masterfully edited documentary of the Beatles titled Get Back tells us of the build-up to their last public performance. Jackson had access to 60 hours of unedited film footage and over 150 hours of audio filmed in 1969 with the idea of making another Beatles film similar to Help and A Hard Day’s Night. The docuseries covers the events of twenty-one days of studio time that the Beatles had to write and record a new album which would become Let it be and perform the new songs at the end of it all. Both the album and performance would be the last for the group.

The film was abandoned until the project was given to Jackson, who is the perfect man for the job. He is a self-proclaimed Beatle-maniac. He and his team dedicated months to sift through the footage, and Jackson was able to find the surprising story behind it.

At the beginning of the documentary, the Beatle’s project was uncomfortably set up at Twickenham studios which was a terribly awkward set-up. It is obvious that the location wasn’t suited to the project as there was a kind of stilted ambience in the big expansive sound stage at Twickenham film studios. There was a lot of tension, procrastination and tantrums at the start but this all changed once they relocated to the Beatle’s studios.

Probably the most surprising aspect of the Beatles' final days is that despite the tensions and stress, the mood was generally one of playful creativity.

It's beautiful to see the interactions between John, Paul, George and Ringo, their creative process and interrelationships. It's fascinating to see how songs are created through strumming together chords, experimentation, random thoughts and lyrics and even dreams.

Then there is the loving connection between Yoko and John and Paul and Linda. There is no tension towards Yoko, no reason to believe the false press that she was the real reason behind the Beatles' breakup. Honestly, it seems that they were hopelessly in love with one another, totally dedicated to each other. The group appears to have grown apart, you can hear each of them talking about their independent projects, and so they went and pursued them, leaving behind the Beatles.

In Get Back we see how they were all friends and creative equals bringing suggestions for songs and working on things collectively. Their approaches were different yet strangely complimentary. Creativity doesn't have a standard form, and it was fascinating how John and Paul would work off one another. George was completely different, reflective, spiritual, and wise; his songs seem to come from his reflections, thoughts, interactions with the world, and whatever he may be dedicating his time to. We see Georges song I, me, mine gradually evolve out of a documentary he was watching.

The playfulness of each of the Beatles in this documentary shows how creativity really is intelligence having fun. There was an absolute joy as they played off one another, and this energy went into the work.

Also, it was beautiful to see the social consciousness of the Beatles; they were actively sending money to Africa to help people less fortunate to them. They were probably the first band of their generation to dedicate time to help third world countries with their problems and draw attention to the problems of third world countries.

Peter Jackson, however, didn't hide the evident tensions in the group. There is no mistaking that these four men had four very different personalities, which often overshadowed one another. There were many different personality types, big egos and larger than life characters. George felt bullied, ignored and left out by Paul and John. George was justified to threaten to leave the band after being constantly belittled by the others. Even though he didn't confront John and Paul, you can see the frustration building until he stood up and said he was leaving the group. Then at the highest moment of tension, John went for a few days. But thank goodness the anxiety was calmed in off-camera meetings and a change of scenery from the initial film studios at Twickenham to their beloved Apple studios.

It's also endearing to see Paul's loving relationship with his wife and stepdaughter. It's a natural gift to see the little intimate details of the big names behind the Beatles; it helps to humanise them. After all, they were all grown men in relationships.

The most loveable and easygoing of the group is Ringo, he interacts positively with everyone, and he is at the centre of the group. He never seemed to move from his drum kit and was there for every song, offering support encouragement to everyone. The adorable interactions between Ringo and Paul's stepdaughter are a testament to his gentle and playful nature, and even children love him.

It is evident that each of the Beatles loved smoking (tobacco and other substances); it is definitely the cigarette loving 1970s. We also see clips from their trip to India, filled with experimentation, meditation and the search for something else, perhaps enlightenment. Even though they admit, they didn't manage to dedicate the right amount of time or attention to listening to the spiritual leader guiding them during their trip.

It was also fascinating how they collaborated so freely with a new organist and musician they had called in to play keyboards. It was great to see how musician Billy Preston was welcomed into the band how his input was asked and regularly accepted. Their creative space was welcoming, and they were all open to new things and suggestions. And when things were working well, it ultimately was when they were communicating well.

Not only do you get to see the central fab four working together, but there was also their wonderful team in the studio; each one was an important character who contributed to this behind the scenes journey of the Beatles.

The beautifully accommodating and always gregariously happy road manager Mal Evans did anything possible to help them towards their final rooftop concert. The director of their filmmaking project Michael Lindsay-Hogg was a bit of an overbearing presence during their work, filled with grand ideas and awkward interjections to conversations. But it is thanks to him; there was so much great footage as he had the obsession and foresight of hiding microphones and hidden cameras, which gave us some beautiful gems.

We get to overhear conversations not even John, Paul, George, or Ringo even knew were being recorded. And we even get to see the public's reaction to hearing the Beatles blasting their new songs on an unexpecting audience off a rooftop in the middle of the day. And to get to see the unexpected commotion the event caused, from noise complaints to overjoyed fans to bemused police who eventually brought everything to an abrupt end.

Incidentally, the director of the abandoned film project Michael Lindsay-Hogg is the love child of legendary actor and director Orson Wells, and the resemblance is noteworthy.

Then there are all the interactions with the studio crew at Apple studios. The collaboration between their sound engineer Glyn Johns and the genius of George Martin is simply beautiful to witness.

Get back is one for the fans. It is 8 hours over three episodes and, at times, is a little slow, but it has to be to show us all of the little subtle historical details we can appreciate. 

Peter Jackson is very much a fan who is geeking out. And to be honest, I don't blame him; it is an incredible once in a lifetime project. He did well to indulge himself and his audience. As a result, though, he does tend to be a little self-indulgent. It is very long and dull at times. Many of the details he selects tell us more about Jackson's tastes rather than anything. There are other moments like the very brief appearance of the legendary comic actor/director Peter Sellers. They randomly visited the sound stage where the Beatles began to work on their album. Sellers didn't say very much, and he didn't serve any purpose to the story whatsoever; it was nothing but a nod to another well-known person from the 1970s who is now a cult figure in cinema.

Fifty years after being filmed, this footage is a historical record of one of the most popular bands of all time and 1969. Some notable historical highlights and details of Get Back include: George Harrison's handmade Tibetan boots, 1970s fashion the bell-bottoms, the colours and cuts, Ringo's shirts are fantastic, John's glasses are iconic, the long unkempt hair, Paul's beard and sideburns galore. The whole 70's style is beautifully vintage, and the Beatles ordinary looks and yellowed teeth remind us of the line from Austin Powers that says you didn't need good teeth to be sexy in the 60s.

Jokes aside, there is nothing better than going back in time to witness the different styles and changes. This documentary is like a time machine. From the free-flowing puffing of smoke, the makeshift nature of their studio, the old equipment which made making music so much more mechanical and hands-on than today. There was a real sense of craftsmanship in making an album then, something that has been forgotten today in the time of new technology and endless easy streaming.

We see each personality, and many moments reflect their attitudes to one another. The documentary gives us insights into how Paul sees John drifting away. Paul knows he is losing his friend little by little, and the sadness is palpable. Paul spells it out, John will always choose Yoko over the band, and that's how it should be they are in love. 

The intimate connection between John and Yoko is obvious. They are constantly looking at one another, and if Yoko does something, so too does John; they are positively symbiotic. Yoko is continuously trying to anticipate what John needs or wants, everything from a cup of tea to giving him a piece of gum. They mirror one another.

The grand finale of the documentary is the rooftop concert, where everything came magically together. The way the Beatles came through in their final performance shows us the true talents of these four men from Liverpool, how they shone brightly in their last show. It was truly magical to witness.

I don't consider myself a fan of the Beatles, even though I appreciate their contribution to popular music. They were a part of a succession of early rock 'n' roll legends who had an essential role in creating music.

Even though Get Back was a bit of a challenge to get through at times, it was a gift to see the whole creative approach of the Beatles musical composition. It was astounding to see how these experienced performers suffered from doubt and stage fright. Above all, it was evident how they were all ready to move onto other career pathways. And the biggest revelation is that none of it was Yoko Ono's fault.