My Viewing Experience of The Beatles Get Back: The Rooftop Concert

 

When I discovered that select IMAX theaters were going to present The Beatles Get Back: The Rooftop Concert for only three days, my excitement dashed as I was not sure if it would be playing in a theater near me. Luckily, the theater turned out to only be ten minutes from me. As a Valentine's Day present my Dad purchased the tickets and even went with me to see it this afternoon. He is NOT a Beatles fan, but he said he enjoyed it very much. I have been an avid Beatles fan since 1994, so of course I loved every minute they were on the screen. It was neat to see the segment in its entirety since viewers have only seen part of it on The Beatles Anthology or even back in 1970 when the original Let It Be movie was released.

I enjoyed the beginning which gives the viewer a glimpse of The Beatles rise to success and fame, backed with their most familiar songs. This opening can also be seen the Peter Jackson documentary on Disney+ and soon-to-be released DVD set.

It was an interesting for Peter Jackson to use the split-screen technique to show the viewer every view possible of the group and their surroundings. The Beatles performed 'Get Back', 'Don't Let Me Down', 'I've Got A Feeling', 'Dig A Pony', and the 'One After 909' each two to three times. You hear what was eventually included on the Let It Be album mixed in with alternate lyrics (or forgetting lyrics.) At one point, you see them passing out lyrics to 'Dig A Pony' to The Beatles. The chilly January weather is noted as John said it was difficult to continue playing due to his hands being cold. You see him put his hands in his pockets. He even blows his nose during the false start of 'Dig A Pony.' After one number, it was either John or Ringo who sang lightly the first line to "A Pretty Girl is like a Melody." I've heard that song many times on OTR programs.

Another fun moment in the film was when they went around interviewing pedestrians and fans. People of all ages seemed to enjoy the free lunchtime concert. There were a few who did not. An elderly lady complained that they woke her up for her nap. Most people knew who they heard, but several did not. When they were told it was The Beatles on the rooftop, they were asked if they liked them. One remarked that their music was "jolly good."

History was made that day (at least in Beatle-lore) since that was the last time all four Beatles performed together live. They would shelve this project and soon work on what would become the Abbey Road album. Let It Be would not be released until the spring of the following year and by then, the band had officially broken up.

It was wonderful to see The Beatles on the big screen for their 50th (albeit pushed back due to COVID-19) of the Let It Be album and movie. From what I've seen so far, Peter Jackson has done a splendid job with the accompanying documentary. Can't wait for the DVD release. I've pre-ordered my copy.

During the end credits they played scenes from their time indoors at Apple. We hear their banter, take-after-take of songs, false starts, jam sessions of the old songs they loved and grew up with. These glimpses reminded me of the book I read back in college called The Beatles: The Unauthorized Chronicle of The Beatles' Let It Be Disaster by Doug Sulpy and Ray Schweighadrt. The author listened to hours of reels from these sessions and the dialogue is pretty much verbatim. I devoured that book all those years ago, and now, loved seeing it on film and will savor the moments I finally see the full documentary showing how this project of theirs unfolded into history.

Toward the end, there was a scene with John and Paul where their banter went something like this:

Paul: "Say goodnight, John"

John: "Goodnight, John."

Paul: "Say goodnight, John."

John: "Goodnight, John."

(ala George and Gracie Allen)