Article Summary
The 12-minute documentary Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song is now streaming on Disney+ and tells the story behind the making of the previously unreleased song.
The song, initially recorded as a demo by John Lennon during the 1970s, presented obstacles in its completion due to technological limitations affecting Lennon's vocals.
Featuring interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Sean Ono Lennon, and Peter Jackson, the documentary seeks to pay tribute to The Beatles' enduring legacy and their profound influence on contemporary youth culture.
The 12-minute documentary film Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song is now available for streaming on Disney+. It provides an inside look into the creation of the long-awaited song, set to be publicly released on November 2 via Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Originally a demo by John Lennon in the 1970s, "Now and Then" features interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Sean Ono Lennon, and Peter Jackson, who also directed a music video for the previously unreleased track. This music video will debut on Disney+ on November 3.
Written and directed by Oliver Murray, Now and Then - The Last Beatles Song pays tribute to the legendary band. Murray expressed the significance of honoring their legacy, stating, "The Beatles' influence on modern youth culture is unparalleled. It's an incredible privilege to tell their story, one that will evoke a range of emotions as everyone has a personal connection to their music. Now and Then not only delves into musical archaeology but also showcases the profound bond between the four individuals who gifted the world with some of its most beloved entertainment."
The History Behind "Now and Then"
For the past five decades, The Beatles have dedicated their efforts to the release of the song "Now and Then." In 1995, Paul, George, and Ringo all contributed to John Lennon's demo, but unfortunately, it remained unfinished. A major hurdle in completing the song stemmed from technological challenges related to Lennon's vocals, which were originally recorded in the 70s. However, in 2022, director Peter Jackson and his team successfully developed software capable of separating Lennon's vocals from his piano part. Jackson also shared his vision for the music video of "Now and Then" in a statement, expressing his goals and aspirations.
"We aimed to evoke tears with the music video, but evoking emotion solely through archive footage proved challenging. Luckily, the sheer power of this exquisite song helped us immensely. I take immense pride in our creation and will cherish it for years to come."
Apart from Now and Then — The Last Beatles Song, Disney+ offers various other Beatles documentaries for streaming. These include the docuseries The Beatles: Get Back and the documentary film If These Walls Could Sing. You can find the documentary short on YouTube or stream it on Disney+."
Watch on Disney+
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the release of the documentary short film "Rediscovering The Last Beatles Song" on Disney+. The Beatles are one of the most influential bands of all time, and their music continues to inspire and resonate with people of all ages. This documentary provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the origins and significance of their final track, "Now and Then."
I appreciate how the documentary combines archival footage, interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and Sean Ono Lennon, and Peter Jackson's insights to tell the story of this song. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into making this documentary, and I think it will be a valuable resource for fans of The Beatles and music history in general.
I also think it's great that Disney+ is making this documentary available to stream. This will allow a wider audience to learn about The Beatles and their music. I hope that this documentary will inspire young people to explore the band's music and discover the timeless appeal of their songs.