Jackson will use rare footage to make Beatles film
THE Oscar-winning director Sir Peter Jackson is to make a new film with archive footage of The Beatles.
Jackson, famed for his adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, is to work with The Beatles on a new film based on footage first shot in 1969.
He will create the film from around 55 hours of never-released footage in the studio, created between January 2 and January 31, 1969.
This footage is from the period, long described as somewhat fractious, when the band were creating the record Let It Be.
At one point, George Harrison left the sessions, although he later returned.
The album was eventually released 18 months later in May 1970, several months after the band had broken up.
The filming of the sessions was intended, originally, for a TV special.
Instead it led to a movie which included The Beatles’ performance on the roof of their company Apple’s Savile Row London office.
Let It Be was the final Beatles album released, although it was made before Abbey Road.
Jackson described the material as an “amazing historical treasure trove” which cast new light on the relationship between the band members.
He 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.
“I was relieved to discover the reality is very different to the myth, 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.”
He added: “I’m thrilled and honoured to have been entrusted with this remarkable footage – making the movie will be a sheer joy.”
The film is being made with the co-operation of Sir Paul Mccartney, Sir Ringo Starr and John Lennon and George Harrison’s widows, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison.
The announcement comes 50 years to the day since the Beatles’ legendary performance which took place on the roof of Apple Records.
In a 42-minute set, they played nine takes of five songs before the police asked them to reduce the volume.