Subject:	Let It Be on DVD?
Posted by:	RadioJP on 3/3/08 8:07 AM
I'd like to know the REAL reasons why "Let It Be", one of the most amazing films of all time has yet to be released on DVD.
[Posted by DaveHaber on 3/3/08 8:25 AM] Have you watched it lately? It contains some wonderful musical performances of the Beatles, which as fans we treasure, but in between the songs it really does document the break-up of the band, it's painful to watch in some places. And it really makes George look bad, who was getting very disillusioned with the band at that time, especially in the scene where Paul is trying to tell him what to do in a song, and George says something to the effect of, "I'll play what you want, or I won't play at all if that's what you want." My understanding is that it was George who held up the rerelease of the film all these years, and Olivia now uses her Beatles proxy to continue his wishes. However, the conventional wisdom is that it is in completed, restored form and just sitting on the shelf waiting to be rereleased. So, fans continue to have hope that it will be.
[Posted by Binaural on 3/20/08 4:57 PM] It was released on DVD in limited edition. A good friend of mine has a copy that I viewed a few weeks ago.
[Posted by DaveHaber on 3/20/08 7:02 PM] Let It Be was released officially on VHS and Laser Disc in the 80's. I don't think it's ever been released legitimately on DVD, any DVD would have to be a bootleg made from the previous VHS or Laser Disc.
[Posted by namralos on 3/22/08 1:22 PM] There has never been a "reasonable" version of the Let It Be film available to the public. The version of the film that was released by United Artists on VHS and Betamax in 1981 was a pan-and-scan version of the original movie. No attempt was made to find a "best" version of the 16mm film, and reportedly, some parts were taken from an 8mm copy. This same version was copied onto Laserdisc and RCA Video Disc. In the early-mid 90's, some work was done on compiling a "best" version of the movie, but this was never released. Collectors like the Laser Disc version, but these suffer from "laser rot" -- and they were never proper transfers of the original film to begin with. Many bootlegs are therefore taken from the VHS tape. Allegedly, George objected to the re-release of the film, and Olivia continues that objection. We do know that Neil Aspinall said in an interview some time last year that any potential DVD release would be delayed because it was "controversial" -- possibly indicating the disagreements between the ex-Beatles (and their estates). Maybe it will finally come out on its 100th anniversary! Frank Daniels
[Posted by fascher on 3/28/08 7:41 PM] Hi Frank, hanksa for the info. BTW, it's good to see you here, your Capitol Records page is great. Regards from Oliver (fascher), Germany. ;-)
[Posted by RadioJP on 4/1/08 5:14 AM] I really don't understand the reservations any of the Apple principals might be having with releasing Let it Be. I don't think it "documents the breakup of the band"....I also disagree that it's "painful to watch". The part where Paul and George have a little tense argument is a small part of the film. Bottom line is that Let It Be is steeped in reality...not unlike Dylan's "Don't Look Back" (which HAS been released on DVD). All the musical performances are LIVE and the music is amazing. In my opinion, it is the best of their 5 films. Also, for anyone who thinks it's a "painful" film to watch, when Let It Be IS finally released, it's likely that bonus footage will be included. There is enough excellent footage left in the can to make this a 2 or 3 disc set. A lot of the stuff most people have never seen includes The Beatles laughing and carrying on between the tracks. It won an OSCAR for best soundtrack. Every lame movie ever made is available on DVD...why hold back on THE BEATLES' final film featuring actual performances? Apple is making a huge mistake in preventing the release of this film.