The Beatles: Get back

The Beatles: Get back is a 3-part documentary series that follows the band as they reform in order to play their first live show in over two years. Directed by Peter Jackson, famous for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the series combines over a hundred hours worth of footage into a cohesive series that gives audience a glimpse into the bands creative process and the discussions that went on behind the curtain. The audience experiences the dynamics between the members of the band, crew and even members of the public. The series manages to provide an honest view into the band's recording process and the adversity they experienced as a group and as individual members. Throughout the series we see the members write, rehearse record and argue, struggling to find a deadline and even struggling to keep the band together amidst the pressure of the forthcoming deadline. The greatest feat of this documentary is that in spite of the large cast and various components of the series, including dealing with record companies, managers, the media and even the police, the show still manages to highlight the complex relationships the big four had with each other. Each member is wildly talented and highly motivated and it shows in the way they harmonise as well as the way they clash with each other. After years of working together and separately, each member has their own idea of what direction they want to take the band in and how they want to do the show. One of the highlights of the documentary for me is when George Harrison decides to leave the band. In the scene, he walks off the rehearsal stage and the scene lingers as we watch each member grapple with what just happened. We see the following days and understand how tense the atmosphere is. To me, this is one of the most important parts of the documentary as we see how volatile their relationships were at the time as well as how they are able to work together to come to an agreement. Even someone with know prior awareness will understand how close the band is and how well they can work together as well as the complex past they share and how they each deal with fame, pressure and the recording process. Another highlight of the documentary is in the final episode when the band finally plays on the roof of the apple building, putting on a free concert for all. After all the build-up and the various tense moments throughout the documentary, it's immensely satisfying to see the band perform the songs they spent week's perfecting in a triumphant moment, as well as seeing the public's reactions to seeing the Beatles perform new songs live after years of hiatus. It's a brilliant way to display the group's artistry as well as how much they meant to people, and an amazing way to end the documentary.