John Byrne reckons that Peter Jackson's addendum to The Beatles Get Back documentary is a welcome addition and a fitting finale for the Fab Four.
And, in the end, this is it. The Beatles performing live in public for the last time.
In modern terms, the mundanity of it all is the most remarkable aspect of this fascinating documentary, an off-shoot of Peter Jackson's recent three-part, eight-hour restoration and overhaul of the footage filmed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg for the 1970 movie Let It Be.
Nowadays, every step made by a star or successful group is as choreographed and controlled as a space mission, and your average concert is a technological marvel where everything audible and visible must scream 'spectacle'.
And so the legendary gig on the Apple rooftop in London’s Savile Row on January 30, 1969 more resembles the famous church fete gig at Wooton that brought John Lennon and Paul McCartney together in 1957. You could call it fate.
But what was there in buckets and spades was a band of four lads enjoying themselves, showing off and having a laugh. George even did his little foot-swinging dance for one final time.
The most telling moment is when Paul McCartney turns to see the police arrive on the rooftop, as he clearly lights up, grinning like a naughty schoolboy.
Another telling moment is Ringo's arrival on stage – basically, some rather precarious-looking planks of wood – noting that his drum kit’s in the wrong spot, and starts to uproot the kit to his satisfaction. No roadie. No hissy-fit. Just Ringo being Ringo.
Then there’s John being John. The only Beatle who seemed to feel the cold - he's certainly the only one complaining about it - he famously ends the performance with his "I hope we passed the audition" remark. Here, though, it's in full context.
It’s all put together in a very smart fashion too, with split-screen activity on and off-stage, and the non-Beatle element is superbly presented through the secret camera that was placed in the reception of the Apple offices.
If you’ve any doubts about the merits of this movie, put them to one side. This is an essential cinema experience - especially if you're a Beatle fan.
The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert is showing on IMAX screens February 10-13, and then in cinemas across the country from February 18.
