The Beatles' Let It Be movie has been restored by Peter Jackson to stream on Disney+

In 1970, Michael Lindsay-Hogg directed a documentary, Let It Be, featuring The Beatles. The movie chronicles the band rehearsing and recording their 12th studio album of the same name, which would consequently also be their last. In April 2024, it was announced that the film would be restored by director Peter Jackson.

Let It Be stars John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, with a special appearance by Billy Preston. Lindsay-Hogg, who directed music videos for the Beatles and The Rolling Stones, also directed the movie. Neil Aspinall and The Beatles acted as producers and Anthony B. Richmond as director of photography.

Let It Be, the movie, will be available on Disney+ beginning May 8, 2024. The film features footage not included in Jackson's multiple Emmy Award-winning docuseries The Beatles: Get Back, released in 2021, allowing viewers to see inside the studio and watch the band's performance on Apple Corps’ London rooftop in January 1969.

Other events highlighted in the film include The Beatles working with Billy Preston to create the Grammy Award-winning album that featured the Academy Award-winning title song and the band's final performance of the song.

Lindsay-Hogg fully supported the restoration, and Apple Corp recruited Jackson’s Park Road Post Production to do the job. Jackson used the same MAL de-mix technology as Get Back when remastering the sound.

According to Lindsay-Hogg, Let It Be was ready before the end of 1969 but wasn't released until April 1970, one month after the band officially broke up. Fans then viewed the film with sadness at seeing their favorite band for a final time. But Lindsay-Hogg thought it was beautiful to capture the band during that rooftop performance that was full of excitement and camaraderie. It captures their final performance in a bright light, freezing the moment, and reminding viewers of who The Beatles were.

Jackson has stated he was lucky to have access to Lindsay-Hogg's outtack from Let It Be to create Get Back, which he believes supports and enhances one another. According to an official Disney+ press release, he is happy that the original film gets the last word, "looking and sounding far better than it did in 1970."

"Let It Be is the climax of Get Back, while Get Back provides a vital missing context for Let It Be."

- Peter Jackson