Essay: Remastered ‘Beatles Anthology’ is a reminder that the Fab Four will never fade

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Everyone knows of the Beatles, even if they weren’t fans or didn’t grow up listening to their music. Just like most people know the name Shakespeare, even if they haven’t read any of his plays, the Beatles have become a part of our culture.

The Beatles were incredibly popular both during their time and long after. Though they officially broke up in 1970 after a gradual decline, their music never truly disappeared. While John Lennon was alive, fans always hoped for a reunion—Lorne Michaels even famously offered them $3,000 to perform on “Saturday Night Live.” Lennon’s death, and the widespread grief that followed, sparked a renewed interest in the Beatles, leading to new ways of enjoying their music, preserving their history, and maintaining their enduring popularity.

After recently updating and re-releasing the band’s albums with improved sound and bonus tracks, it made sense that attention would turn to their films. Peter Jackson’s six-hour documentary, “Get Back,” which used modern technology to enhance footage from the making of “Let It Be,” first appeared in November 2021. This May, he released a remastered version of the original “Let It Be” film by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. Last year, a new documentary, “Beatles ‘64,” directed by Martin Scorsese and based on footage from the band’s first American tour, came out, making the Beatles a sort of new holiday tradition.

Review

‘Beatles ’64’ shows an unguarded band stepping into America’s limelight

A new Disney+ documentary about the Beatles arrives Friday, using footage originally filmed by Albert and David Maysles. It highlights the band’s initial visit to the United States.

I recently revisited the band’s video memoir, “Anthology,” which originally aired around Thanksgiving thirty years ago, and it’s been beautifully remastered for this new release. It’s now available on Disney+ as eight episodes, with a bonus ninth one added in. While it looks fantastic, I have to say the music mix is a bit overbearing. Every little musical cue is turned up too loud, seemingly in an attempt to amp up the energy for modern audiences. But trust me, it doesn’t quite work and actually detracts from the experience.

As a huge Beatles fan, I remember when the original “Anthology” came out – it wasn’t just the film! They released this amazing coffee table book, and then three double albums packed with demos, alternate takes, and stuff they never finished. Plus, they actually created two ‘new’ songs, “Free As a Bird” and “Real Love,” by having Paul and Ringo add parts to an old demo John had recorded on piano. It was incredible! And then, just recently in 2023, they dropped “Now and Then,” which Paul and Ringo finished – and it actually topped the charts and even won a Grammy! Now, this year, they’re adding yet another audio collection, called “Anthology 4.” It’s a dream come true for us fans!

Today, it’s easy to find Beatles videos online. But when the “Anthology” documentary first came out, it felt like discovering something truly special. It brought together photos and footage that hadn’t been seen in years, and it was incredibly exciting – a nostalgic trip for some, and a fresh experience for others. It’s perfect for both people new to the Beatles and longtime fans. I’m a big fan myself, and I find their music and videos endlessly enjoyable – they simply look and sound great. Each member was a distinct personality, but together they formed something unique. There’s a sense that the Beatles were meant to be, that their particular combination of talents and personalities was essential to their success. While other bands change members, the Beatles were always defined by those four individuals, and that would remain true no matter what, even if one of them wasn’t physically present.

This story is told through new and old interviews with the four Beatles themselves, often revealing differing viewpoints. We also hear from key figures like their manager Brian Epstein, producer George Martin, assistant Neil Aspinall, and publicist Derek Taylor. Because the surviving Beatles and John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, all approved the project, it offers an inside look. It’s not a tell-all exposé, and no one expected it to be—though Paul McCartney says he learned new things about his bandmates. While it doesn’t dwell on negativity, and even covers difficult times quickly, it’s not simply a celebratory portrayal. It feels like an honest and thoughtful reflection, with the band members being understanding of each other and their own pasts after resolving their differences.

Each episode starts with a clip from the Beatles song “Help!,” almost as a foreshadowing of difficulties to come, rather than one of their more optimistic tunes like “All You Need Is Love.” But at its heart, this is a love story – a tale of connection, loss, and finding each other again, much like an old Hollywood romance. George Harrison explains they were very close, and Ringo Starr describes them as four people who genuinely cared for one another. He adds that they all struggled at times, but were always able to support each other through it.

The ninth episode is essentially a behind-the-scenes look at both the original documentary and the creation of the new songs. It’s a bit odd revisiting the past from a point 25 years before it was actually filmed – all the footage dates back to 1995 or earlier. While some of the footage was previously available on a DVD bonus disc, it’s been re-edited and expanded into a complete film. We see Paul, George, and Ringo working with producer George Martin, isolating tracks for “Tomorrow Never Knows,” jamming on an early Paul McCartney song called “Thinking of Linking” (written in 1958), and playing Duane Eddy’s instrumental “Raunchy” – the song George used to audition for The Beatles. The episode captures them relaxing, with George often playing the ukulele, reminiscing about old times, and recording new material. George expresses sadness that John couldn’t be there, but his presence is still felt throughout. It feels like a fitting conclusion to the project.

George Harrison, reflecting on The Beatles nearly 25 years after his passing, believed the band’s legacy would live on indefinitely through their music, films, and the memories of fans. He felt The Beatles had taken on a life of their own, separate from its members. He recalled a lyric by John Lennon – a phrase suggested by Ringo Starr – saying, “Play the game of life until it truly begins. The future is unknowable.”

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2025-11-26 14:01