Ringo Starr criticises ‘Let It Be’ documentary ahead of Disney+ release
The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has explained his problem with Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s documentary on The Beatles, Let It Be.
The film, first released in 1970, is set to arrive on Disney+ next month after Peter Jackson helped restore the footage. Jackson previously used Lindsay-Hogg’s unused footage to make the documentary series, Get Back, which arrived in 2021.
Despite documenting a pivotal part in Beatles history, Let It Be hasn’t been available to watch freely for decades, and due to its shorter running time, it doesn’t go into the same level of intricate detail as Get Back.
However, Jackson sees Let It Be as a sibling to Get Back, and from May 8th, fans will be able to watch the two projects side-by-side.
Michael-Hogg has given his full support to the restored footage, stating, “I think Peter Jackson has done an incredible job, and which he took the one that’s coming out is the original. For me, not a lot of joy in it. It’s from the point of view of the director, and that was up to him. We found 56 hours of unused tape, we found it and Peter Jackson put his heart and soul into it and it works really well.”
Meanwhile, Jackson passionately stated: “The two projects support and enhance each other: Let It Be is the climax of Get Back, while Get Back provides a vital missing context for Let It Be. Michael Lindsay-Hogg was unfailingly helpful and gracious while I made Get Back, and it’s only right that his original movie has the last word… looking and sounding far better than it did in 1970.”
On the other hand, Starr has spoken less glowingly about Let It Be, which he doesn’t believe captures the true essence of the recording sessions that he claims were more light-hearted than the film suggests.
In a new interview with the Associated Press, he remarked: “I think Peter Jackson has done an incredible job, and which he took the one that’s coming out is the original. For me, not a lot of joy in it. It’s from the point of view of the director, and that was up to him. We found 56 hours of unused tape, we found it and Peter Jackson put his heart and soul into it and it works really well.”
Starr’s latest comments come after he previously said of Michael-Hogg’s work in 2021: “I didn’t feel any joy in the original documentary, it was all focused on one moment which went down between two of the lads. The rooftop concert was also only about seven to eight minutes long. With Peter’s it’s 43 minutes long. It’s about the music and a lot of joy.”
While Starr clearly prefers Get Back to Let It Be, viewers will finally be able to make up their own mind on the film on May 8th.
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