Not what I was expecting
I am about 85% into watching this and had no clue what it was supposed to be. I saw youtube video reviews/reactions pop up, but hadn't watched any. Just so happened to show up on a stream of mine and I just dove into it.
It's really cool to see the Beatles creating and working out various songs. Some epics, some not so great. The eavesdropping on conversations and interactions with band mates, family, recording staff, management is all rather fascinating. Like traveling back in time. At first there's a sense of playing up to the cameras or being fully aware of them, but with so much footage and time span, everyone seems to loosen up mostly. Linda is particularly camera shy and quite cute back then. So cool to have this window of time to peek into.
One observation that is rather funny to me is the characters around the Beatles. They looked like a typical Hollywood cast in a 60s period movie or mocumentary like Spinal Tap. When you watch these movies, the way they dress or act seems kinda over the top characterizations, but having seen this it kinda seemed like they were casted actors. Glyn Johns and the other engineers and producers looked and acted like typical 60s tropes. Not in a bad way. Just observationally. I knew Glyn Johns produced mega bands like Zeppelin later on, but didn't know he was involved with the Beatles and all were so young.
That's another thing is realizing how young the Beatles were at this time of "the end". They were all still 25-28 years old and accomplished so much already and just beginning to have families and become adults. Back then pumping out 3 records a year and pioneering new techniques and sounds. All just incredible.
I see lots of threads attempting to lay blame on everyone for the break. Maybe it was just the shifting of priorities entering adulthood, relationships, shifting of work styles, interests and the loss of Epstein's leadership. There are really so many factors and so much we don't see/know, it's hard to lay blame on any one person. Many bands split up, even if just for a time, that didn't have near the success of the fab four.
John and Paul seemed to get along great in the footage, but it was obvious Paul was more driven, disciplined and had a clearer vision of what he wanted to write. John was more laid back and enjoying life and less concerned with pushing so hard. George was frustrated and wanted to have more freedom. Ringo seemed to quietly go along for the ride. They all seemed aware of their need for outside leadership to fill the void and even their own shortcomings.
Definitely a watch for Beatle fans.