NEW DETAILS on Peter Jackson’s 2020 Beatles Film: Title, Release Date, and... Disney? #BeatlesNews

Digging deep into the new press release about the Peter Jackson documentary on The Beatles coming later in 2020.

#BeatlesNews Episode 16!

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PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT:

We’ve talked about this impending news for over a year, and speculated on it for just as long. Now, finally, this project has a concrete title and release date. But it’s the press release that we really want to dig into.

First, the opening sentence packs a punch: (quote from press release)

Disney - the behemoth that it is - is a fit for The Beatles. Not that they’re the only game in Hollywood, but partnerships here could go far and wide. I’m *not* saying we’ll see a Beatles experience at Disney World anytime soon, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the relationship evolves beyond basic distribution. Just look at what they’re doing with new Star Wars content on Disney Plus.

The next thing to note here is the release date “in the United States and Canada on September 4, 2020, with additional details and dates for the film’s global release to follow.” This date syncs with the fall timeline I mentioned in the last few episodes of Beatles news, including what is apparently the official companion book, which Amazon has slated for a release on October 6th. Check out a link to this in the description.

The press release says the film will be in theaters nationwide, which hopefully means wide availability. Not just arthouse cinemas, which was the only option for many people to see the Ron Howard Beatles film Eight Days a Week. Also, I find it interesting - but not surprising - that there are US and Canadian release dates, but no others for now. Distribution - with rights and logistics - isn’t simple, I get it. But you would’ve thought they at least could’ve gotten a UK date nailed down. I mean… The Beatles are British.

Now let’s look at some technical details about the film itself: (quote from press release)

If you haven’t seen any clips from “They Shall Not Grow Old,” you should. The technical quality is unbelievable. And it sounds like we can expect big things with the picture quality in the new film. Admittedly, Jackson and crew are not dealing with World War I era footage, but as I’ve mentioned in previous videos - the footage we’ve typically seen from the Let It Be movie is rather dark and dreary, and lends to the kinda downer vibe felt in that film.

Anyway, coming out of this press release for a second, Rolling Stone quotes Dhani Harrison about his impressions from the film. “It’s so ridiculously amazing looking — I could see John Lennon’s fillings.” “I emailed Peter yesterday and said, ‘This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.'”

As for the music, if you’re a fan of the recent Beatles box sets, it’s another good sign that Giles Martin and Sam Okell are part of the team for the new Get Back film. And their involvement is a nod - or maybe it’s just a hope - that we can expect music being released outside of the film. New soundtrack? Remix? Box set?

The press release then includes those fluffy quotes, and goes on to briefly describe the original Let It Be film… and then contrasts *it* with the Peter Jackson project: (quote from press release)

This is the next great bit of new info here in this press release: we’ll see the rooftop concert in the film! However, the way this is worded is a little unclear. My gut reaction was to read that the complete rooftop performance will be included in the film. And I’m cautiously optimistic that that’s what’s happening. But I think you could read this sentence as: “the new doc shines light on more of the performance.” Regardless, I think it’s inevitable we’ll see the full gig, even if it’s just an extra.

By the way, Apple - we’re still waiting on an official release of the Shea Stadium concert.

The last bit of noteworthy info in the press release is that “A fully restored version of the original "Let It Be" film will be made available at a later date.”

#BeatlesNews #PeterJacksonBeatles #TheBeatlesGetBack

[MarkMikelVideos]

I hope this new movie is 5 hours long.

[donnaonenine]

I want robotronic Beatles concerts at Disneyland.

[drutgat]

I hope that we actually see George playing the solo in 'One After 909' instead of cutting away to a view of the people in the street, as happened in the original 'Let It Be' film.

[clicheguevara]

Wow.. I’m just so stoked that Disney has their dirty paws all over the Beatles now. 😆

[astrosjer]

We don’t know how long the movie will be? Love that the whole rooftop show will be seen at long last! PJ is an expert at cleaning up old film. Can’t wait!

[Horiatiki]

i wish they released the entire rooftop gig remastered
and a full movie of it in dvd !
as well as the "let it be" remix of course.
i'm thinking they might propose a full package with all this (including the "get back"mix by glyn johns and all that...

[squiddywiddy]

If they make something for Disney Land, it should be their own section called Pepper Land

[beatle_jake]

Lance, so excited for this new Let it Be project. And when you mentioned the wait for a Shea Stadium release I totally agree (especially since I didn't get to see it as part of 8 Days in theaters). Out of curiosity, have you heard the line-in recordings of the Shea concert? They're on a CD boot titled "The Beatles and the Great Concert at Shea." Downright best audio quality of that show AND the audio of the opening acts is included.

[LRENRZRR]

Disney's involvement is the worst news to me, but I'm looking forward to the film.

[raystaar]

The zeitgeist of The Beatles could not be more antithetical to that of megacorporation Disney. I hate the idea of any part of their legacy being turned over to such soulless creeps.

[ECHOVALLEY-qgex]

Excited for this film and also a re-release of Let It Be. I want to see as much as he can weave in. Obsessed Beatles fans will soak whatever we can get and love it.

[pokiepookiepeaches]

“Low neck sweater” sign in the back. LOL

[jcburger]

Thanks for another great video. Can't wait till they release the film on streaming, hopefully with additional features.

[timmeekings]

The film should be released in the UK first. Preferably in Liverpool. They were a British band - our band. Can't see it happening though. Not with the stench of Disney all over it! Keep up the good work.

[jltrem]

Thanks Lance. Coronavirus or not, definitely going to this.

[alejandrogarci]

Wow, as usual you really dive into the whole thing. Thanks indeed.

[neoxgorst]

"If anyone can take the sad footage and make it better..." hahhahahhahha I love you!!

[jnagarya]

I'm still waiting for the blu-ray release of the "Anthology".

[svjim]

I wonder if they have extra footage in the vault for the Shea concert. I mean for added angles, for multi-angle options for the viewer to choose from. As well as maybe unused footage of prep and the crowd.

[perrybarton]

I enjoy your vids, Lance. I stream them to my TV and listen through full-range stereo speakers. I’m hearing a lot of plosives (e.g. popping p’s, t’s and k’s) that probably aren’t noticeable through most computer speakers. You might consider rolling off at around 100hz on your mic channel. Keep up the good work!