As a long-time fan I found the “new” version of the documentary very enjoyable (and a little bittersweet as well). I saw the original when it was broadcast in 1995 and have the DVD box set and still the 2025 version was a must-see.
Hard core fans on other forums have no trouble finding fault with it, whether it be things cut from the original, sound mixes not living up to their standards or AI artifacts on the restored footage. And of course non-fans will wonder what the big deal is with a band that broke up in 1970.
I’m watching it with my wife (and occasionally my son), one or two episodes per night. I think we’re on ep 5. I’m loving it. I remember watching it when it first came out. I find no fault with it. To me, it’s just great watching old footage of the boys and hearing the three remaining (in the 90s) sit around the table and talk.
The footage of them performing in the Cavern…how is it so clear?! Is that AI enhanced? I dont remember that from 30 years ago, but I was absolutely blown away watching that. Gave me a bit of the chills.
I found it very motivational, after Malcolm Gladwell used the lads’ early years to illustrate his “10,000 hours” theory.
So as I watched, I was reminded that if I want to be really good at something, one aspect of that is to Just Keep At It (even when you should be doing something else? Thats’ my addendum to the theory).
Watched episode 6 tonight. A lot of it felt rushed. I mean five episodes on the early years, but this just moved right through Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane/Sgt. Pepper in the blink of an eye.
But watching George Martin listen to and talk about the recording of Day in the Life got me a little verklempt. Hearing him talk wistfully about John’s voice…well I may be a bit of a Beatle romantic, but that was an amazing moment for me. Favorite bit of the doc so far.
I watched the first episode last night. I remember the original, both the broadcast and extended DVD versions. There were bits that I remembered that weren’t there in this one. They were probably from the DVDs. I know that those missing extended bits were one of the things that Beatles fanatics were complaining about, but it doesn’t bug me as much.
I’ve always appreciated George’s wry sense of humor: “He [Paul] was about 9 months older than me.” (Slight pause). “Even now, he’s still 9 months older than me.”
Edited to add: I did think that at least one of the shots of them performing in the Cavern had the look of some AI enhancements.
There’s a clip of the three of them meeting in '94, George comments on Paul’s attire: “Is that a vegetarian leather jacket?” Paul displays the label to show it its. I thought yeah, they’ve been ribbing each other like that for over 60 years.
I haven’t watched this yet, but one of my favorite George stories is of him running around the studio holding a flaming ashtray over his head and saying he was Arthur Brown.
