Product Details

• Actors: The Beatles
• Format: NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Magnetic Video / CBS Fox
• Run Time: 113.0 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BRM5GO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,636 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

While becoming superstar musicians the Beatles also managed to make several movies along the way. Let It Be was to be a making-of movie about their writing and recording processes. With cameras rolling every step of the way, the group soon realized that their previously successful and prolific songwriting and recording methods were not going to translate well to the big screen. In-fighting and arguing plagued the sessions to a point where the foursome split up and Phil Spector was called in to organize the wealth of recorded material into an album for release. A highlight of the film (other than the music) is a performance of the group on the roof of their Apple Corps headquarters on Saville Row on January 30, 1969 which turned out to be their last together. The police interrupting the performance and the shots of the crowds on the street and nearby rooftops are oft-repeated elements still in use in music video and concert films today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars let it be, November 18, 2005

By 

Mark S "marks" (uesa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let It Be (VHS Tape)

was surprised to see no one had reviewed this film. even more surprised that it remains unavailable. absolutely terrific video. have seen this film 20+ times and never tire of it. one of the first 'reality' movies it provides an exceptionally open and honest view of the final days of a long and once loving and productive 'marriage'. the best and most underrated rock & roll movie.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great film, all things considered. [4.5 stars], June 13, 2006

By 

S. Zayas (Detroit) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let It Be (VHS Tape)

The album of original material to come out of the "Get Back" sessions of early 1969 was, quite frankly, lousy, at least by Beatles standards. John Lennon was right when he said that Let it Be (the album and the film) exposed the "myth" that was the Beatles. The myth wasn't that the Beatles were great but that they were incapable of mediocrity. John's efforts, alone, on the album prove just how mediocre they could be when they gave up trying.

Let it Be, the film, is disjointed and patchy, which is to be expected when hundreds of hours of film is taken with no vision or direction as to what it is to show. It's poorly edited and, as everyone knows, sadly shows the break up of the world's greatest band.

Despite all that, Let it Be is a fascinating film. Where else can you see a band of that quality at work in the studio? What other film shows you four (real) friends, strained by years together, familial changes and business disagreements, fighting and loving one another? Not many other films -- interviews, movies, the Anthology, you name it -- show the Beatles interacting together in an unstaged, unrehearsed way.

The highlight of the movie is, indeed, the rooftop concert. While it is clear that the level of interest in during the rehearsal portions, at times, just wasn't there, on the rooftop, the boys let their hair down (literally and figuratively) and played with a lot of fire and energy. The last image of the Beatles together that we have been left with was of four guys, who changed the world, having fun together, playing good rock and roll. That alone makes this movie worthwhile.

The VHS quality is not particularly good, but diehard Beatles fans will take this film in any format or condition that we can get it. Hopefully soon Apple Corps. will release an updated, remastered DVD set with loads and loads of extras.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing document, October 20, 2006

By 

S. Wolfe "spackola" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let It Be (VHS Tape)

The rooftop concert proves that, once again, they were the coolest band ever.

In the studio, notice Johna nd Paul having a conversation with guitars in their hands. Whenever one is talking, the other looks down and starts playing.