The Beatles: Get Back is finally coming to Blu-ray and DVD.
Fans might remember that director Peter Jackson's epic 2021 documentary (which premiered on Disney+ where it is still streaming) chronicling John, Paul, George, and Ringo's exploits in the studio on the road to Let It Be was originally scheduled for home video release on February 8. Just days before the release date, an audio error was discovered. Copies were recalled, although some trickled out and became high-ticket items on auction sites such as eBay. Now, a fully-corrected version has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 12.
Both the DVD and Blu-ray presentations offer the three-part, 468-minute Get Back on three discs - one part per disc. No additional bonus features have been included, although the packages do come with four photo cards (one per Beatle). Both Blu-ray and DVD boast numerous audio options. The former has Dolby Atmos, 7.1 PCM surround, 2.0 PCM stereo, and 2.0 descriptive audio. The latter features 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo Dolby Digital tracks as well as 2.0 descriptive audio.
Get Back has remained in the headlines recently as Paul McCartney's current tour - entitled Got Back - features McCartney on a virtual duet with John Lennon of "I've Got a Feeling," utilizing Lennon's isolated voice and image from the rooftop concert footage that brings the documentary to a thrilling close. While no physical release has been announced, the rooftop concert audio is currently streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major music streaming outlets. The 38-minute, 10-track release features all of the music played atop 3 Savile Row in London on January 30, 1969, including three takes of "Get Back;" two of "Don't Let Me Down" and "I've Got a Feeling;" "One After 909," "Dig a Pony," and a band jam.
The DVD and Blu-ray releases cap off a flurry of activity related to the Get Back documentary including Apple, Capitol, and UMe's Let It Be super deluxe edition and various reissues, the companion coffee table book from Callaway Arts and Entertainment, and Get Back to Let It Be, an immersive exhibition at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Beatles: Get Back can be pre-ordered on DVD and Blu-ray now at the following links:
DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Daryl Restly says
They should release the rooftop concert audio in its entirety on CD, vinyl and digital download as a new Beatles album. Should have released the album for Record Store Day.
wardo says
precisely. And "four photo cards" hardly qualify as extras, particularly in a project involving Peter Jackson.
BillyD says
I wonder if these are new pressings or the same discs previously recalled due to 'technical errors'?
Ray Mitten says
What was the audio error? I believe the delay was originally stated to be due to supply chain issues.
I hope this doesn't cap off the Get Back project. As others have noted, a CD release of the rooftop session would be a welcome addition -- along with a video of the rooftop concert without the man on the street interviews. (Sadly, the stand alone rooftop concert in theaters this past winter was a different cut but still with man on the street interviews.)
And what of the promised re-release original Let it Be movie on DVD and Blu Ray, not to mention the 18 hour director's cut mentioned several times by Peter Jackson. This is a treasure trove with a lot more gold to mine.
Joe Marchese says
It's believed the audio error was relating to the 7.1 surround mix on the Blu-ray. Copies were sent to stores and then recalled, hence the appearance of the title at high prices on eBay and elsewhere.
Michael Grabowski says
18 hours? For real? 6 hours was more than enough for me.
I would love to buy a Director's Trim instead which just includes complete film performances of the takes that were put on the standard Let It Be album, plus the entire rooftop performance without the man-on-the-street/cop-in-the-office interruptions.
PD says
Kinda agree here. I admired the fabulous restoration work, and it was fascinating history of course, but it took me FOREVER to get through all the installments. I was exhausted halfway through the first one and probably waited a couple of weeks before continuing (and this from a guy who spent a lot of money on those Nagra boots all those years ago). I have no interest in watching it again anytime soon--and probably never in 18-hour form--but I'd buy a rooftop LP or CD in a heartbeat.