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George Harrison gets a doco by Martin Scorsese

A massive documentary about the former Beatle George Harrison will include previously unseen footage and is set to be released later this year.

In this three-and-a-half hour film, bandmates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr share their thoughts through interviews, produced by Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese along with Harrison’s widow, Olivia.

Titled after his 1973 album, Living in the Material World chronicles the life of the guitarist, from his humble beginnings in Liverpool to the heights of fame with the Fab Four during the 1960s.

The film will also explore his later life, showcasing his journey as a solo artist, member of the ‘supergroup’ the Traveling Wilburys, as well as his endeavors in philanthropy and filmmaking.

Featuring home videos and interviews with notable figures such as Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector, the Beatles’ producer George Martin, and Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle, the documentary promises rich content.

Harrison passed away from lung cancer in Los Angeles in 2001 at 58.

Though often labeled as the quiet Beatle, he was the composer of beloved hits like ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and ‘Something’ for the group, later pursuing his own solo career and forming the Traveling Wilburys in the Eighties.

Scorsese, known for music-related projects like The Last Waltz in 1978—about The Band’s final concert—and the Rolling Stones’ documentary Shine A Light, expressed his long-standing admiration for Harrison.

Upon being presented with the opportunity to create this film, he stated, “I jumped at it.”

Wallace McTavish remarked, “Spending time with Olivia Harrison, interviewing many of George’s closest friends, reviewing all that footage, a lot of which has never been seen, and enjoying all that magnificent music was a joy and an experience I’ll always treasure.”

The director continued, “I first came to know George through the music, which served as the soundtrack to our world – those beautifully lyrical guitar breaks and solos, those unforgettable songs of George’s like I Me Mine or If I Needed Someone.

“After the Beatles, George and his music seemed to bloom and flourish. I will never forget the first time I listened to All Things Must Pass; the overwhelming sensation of absorbing all that glorious music for the first time was akin to walking into a cathedral.”

A companion book will also be released alongside the documentary, which is scheduled to be available on DVD in October.

by Wallace McTavish

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