Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Press

The Beatles‘ Get Back project was a turbulent time for the Fab Four.

Initially an effort by Paul McCartney to bring the fracturing group back to its roots, the 1969 recording sessions were originally scrapped before later being reworked by Phil Spectre into final Beatles album Let It Be in 1970.

Peter Jackon‘s Get Back film project, which restores footage from the sessions, is experiencing a similarly tumultuous production.

The remake of director Michael Lindsay-Hogg‘s original 1970 Let It Be documentary was initially scheduled for a May 2020 release.

Earlier this year, however, it was announced the release date would be pushed past the Let It Be album’s 50th anniversary and premiere September 4th.

Now distributor Disney has revealed the film will not see release until August 2021.

When the film was announced early last year Peter Jackson promised it would be the “ultimate ‘fly on the wall’ experience” and an “amazing historical treasure trove”.

Jackson’s film runs 80-minutes, 44 of which will comprise of the concert.

Early reports of Get Back footage, which includes the Beatles‘ famous rooftop concert, have been positive.

While Lindsay-Hogg earlier use of the footage focused on the very real tensions between the bandmembers – including George Harrison temporarily quitting the group onscreen – Jackson’s focuses on the four’s friendship.

“We have created a brand new film that will attempt to bust the myth that the Let It Be sessions were the final nail in the Beatles’ coffin,” Apple Records repressive Jeff Jones shared of the project during a press preview earlier this year.

Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have both voiced their enthusiasm for the project.

“I am really happy that Peter has delved into our archives to make a film that shows the truth about The Beatles recording together,” McCartney has shared with the press. “The friendship and love between us comes over and reminds me of what a crazily beautiful time we had.”

“I’m really looking forward to this film,” Ringo Starr has stated. “Peter is great and it was so cool looking at all this footage. There was hours and hours of us just laughing and playing music, not at all like the version that came out. There was a lot of joy and I think Peter will show that. I think this version will be a lot more peace and loving, like we really were.”

Get Back will arrive on August 27, 2021.