Watch the Beatles Let It Be

The documentary/concert film captures the Fab Four’s final public performance 40 years ago

By Alex Kingsbury

December 18, 2008 RSS Feed Print

Almost 40 years ago, in 1969, the Beatles trooped to the rooftop of their Savile Row studio and treated the people of London's finance and tailoring district to their last public performance. The Fab Four was at the end of a film project and needed some live footage to cap the movie. Other venues were suggested, including a Roman amphitheater in Tunisia. But the cold and windy top of central London had to suffice. A fresh look at the Beatles's farewell performance can transport you to the days when musicianship still mattered in rock-and-roll.

"If you ever want to find out just how good the Beatles were as a single unit, a live, four-piece, rock-and-roll band, just listen to the live recordings of the concerts on the roof," Ken Mansfield, former U.S. manager for Apple Records, says. The movie Let It Be won an Oscar for best music. You'll have to make some effort to see it now, though. The film is currently out of print, though used copies can be found on eBay for about $20 and slightly more on Amazon.

Tags:
movies,
music

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I purchased a copy of the 2011 35mm STEREO DVD of the Beatles Let it be movie last month.I'll tell you,if your TV is set up with stereo speakers and a receiver,your gonna feel like your in those Twickenham/Apple studios! Man what a difference!You'll never go back to the MONO version ever again.It sounds amazing!However they could of done more to the print.Even though the grain is all gone(finally) and the colors look better,sometimes the picture looks a little blured,especially when you see the Beatles faces..not all the time,but the remastering could have been "tweeked" a little more to get a sharper picture...but still better then the VHS.The widescreen is fine,but if this would have been a 16mm print rather then using the 35mm,it would have been almost a legit release from Apple.Concusion,pick up this 2011 35mm Stereo widescreen until Apple gets a clue and finally release this movie.(Oh the rooftop concert,you wanna turn that up all the way!)

Paul Panetta of CA 11:11PM May 30, 2011

For proof just go to youtube and type in "Let It Be Theatrical Version." You'll be amazed at what you see.

Steve of FL 6:49PM January 26, 2009

Although, the City of London has shut down the appropiate celebration of the 40th anniversary at No. 3 Savile Row, Seattle will be celebrating with their own re-enactment of the Rooftop Concet. Creme Tangerine will perform the exact set the Beatles did 40 years ago to the hour with special guest Ken Mansfield, former US manager for Apple Records, who was the only U.S. citizen on the roof that day in '69. A rooftop in Seattle's Pike Place Market will be the place...you know the time and day.

Kevin Murphy of WA 10:29PM January 25, 2009

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