Lord of The Rings director Sir Peter Jackson will direct a film documenting The Beatles’ final days.
Created by Jackson’s production company WingNut Films and Apple Corps Ltd., the forthcoming film is built upon 55 hours of never-before-seen footage of the band’s recording ‘Let It Be’, their final album.
Taking place in 1969 between January 2nd and January 31st, the film ends with the Fab Four’s final performance at Apple HQ in London – a monumental event that took place 50 years ago today.
Speaking about the project, Jackson said: “The 55 hours of never-before-seen footage and 140 hours of audio made available to us, ensures this movie will be the ultimate ‘fly on the wall’ experience that Beatles fans have long dreamt about – it’s like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together, I was relieved to discover the reality is very different to the myth.
“After reviewing all the footage and audio that Michael Lindsay-Hogg shot 18 months before they broke up, it’s simply an amazing historical treasure-trove. Sure, there’s moments of drama – but none of the discord this project has long been associated with. Watching John, Paul, George, and Ringo work together, creating now-classic songs from scratch, is not only fascinating – it’s funny, uplifting and surprisingly intimate. I’m thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with this remarkable footage – making the movie will be a sheer joy,” he said.”
The 50-year-old footage will be restored by Clare Olssen and editor Jabez Olssen, who recently worked on the World War One documentary They Shall Not Grow Old.
According to a statement, the yet-to-be-titled film has the full co-operation of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison behind it.
There’s currently no release date for the documentary – but sources say that it’s likely to be released in 2020, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Let It Be album and movie.
Photo by Apple Corps Ltd.
