UK première of Let It Be – 20 May 1970

Q: Did any of The Beatles attend the UK première of Let It Be?

No — none of The Beatles attended either screening. The group had officially broken up the previous month.

May 17, 2026

UK première of Let It Be – 20 May 1970

Wednesday 20 May 1970 | Film and video, Let It Be
London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus, London / Gaumont Cinema, Liverpool

The Beatles' final film Let It Be had its British première on this day, with simultaneous screenings in the north and south of England. None of the group attended either. The film documented the fractious January 1969 sessions that had been intended to capture The Beatles returning to their live roots — sessions that instead laid bare the tensions that would lead to the group's dissolution in April 1970.

The London Première

The southern event was held at the London Pavilion on Piccadilly Circus — one of London's most prestigious cinema venues, which had also hosted the world première of A Hard Day's Night in July 1964. Guests included director Richard Lester, singer Mary Hopkin (signed to Apple Records), comedian Spike Milligan, singer Lulu, television presenter Simon Dee, and EMI chairman Sir Joseph Lockwood. Several members of The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac also attended, as did around 50 Hare Krishna followers — a reflection of the countercultural milieu in which The Beatles had moved during the late 1960s.

Two notable figures from The Beatles' personal lives were also present: Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon's first wife, and Jane Asher, Paul McCartney's former girlfriend — both of whom had separated from their respective Beatles two years earlier, in 1968. Their presence at the première, without the men they had been with, was noted by the press.

The Box Office

Let It Be ran at the 1,004-seat London Pavilion until 23 June 1970. In its first week on release it was screened 41 times with box office receipts of £6,229. It went on general release across Britain the following day, 21 May 1970.

The Liverpool Première

The northern première took place, aptly, in Liverpool — at a relatively quiet private screening at the Gaumont Cinema. Both the London and Liverpool screenings began at 8.45pm. The choice of Liverpool was a gesture towards the city that had produced The Beatles, though the screening was a subdued affair compared to the London event.

The Film

Let It Be was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who had previously directed the 'Paperback Writer' and 'Rain' promotional films (1966) and the 'Hey Jude' and 'Revolution' clips (1968). The film documented the January 1969 sessions at Twickenham Film Studios and the Apple Corps basement studio at 3 Savile Row, culminating in the rooftop concert on 30 January 1969 — The Beatles' final public performance.

The film had already had its world première in New York on 13 May 1970, one month after McCartney had publicly announced the break-up of The Beatles on 10 April 1970. The UK première on 20 May came at a moment of raw public grief about the group's dissolution. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score in 1971, awarded to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

The original film was withdrawn from circulation in 1975 and was unavailable for decades. A restored and expanded version, directed by Peter Jackson and titled Get Back, was released on Disney+ in November 2021.

Cynthia Lennon and Jane Asher

Cynthia Lennon (1939–2015) had been married to John Lennon from 1962 to 1968. Their marriage ended when Lennon began his relationship with Yoko Ono. She wrote two memoirs about her life with Lennon: A Twist of Lennon (1978) and John (2005).

Jane Asher had been Paul McCartney's girlfriend from 1963 to 1968. Their relationship ended when McCartney began seeing Linda Eastman. Asher went on to a distinguished career as an actress and author, and has never spoken publicly about her relationship with McCartney in detail.

Key Facts: 20 May 1970

London venue: London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus (1,004 seats)
Liverpool venue: Gaumont Cinema
Screening time: 8.45pm (both venues)
Beatles present: None
Notable guests (London): Richard Lester, Mary Hopkin, Spike Milligan, Lulu, Simon Dee, Sir Joseph Lockwood, Rolling Stones members, Fleetwood Mac members, ~50 Hare Krishna followers, Cynthia Lennon, Jane Asher
First week receipts: £6,229 (41 screenings)
London run: Until 23 June 1970
General release: 21 May 1970
Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg
Academy Award: Best Original Song Score, 1971
Restored version: Get Back, directed by Peter Jackson, Disney+, November 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

Did any of The Beatles attend the UK première of Let It Be?

No — none of The Beatles attended either the London or Liverpool screenings on 20 May 1970. The group had officially broken up the previous month, when McCartney publicly announced the split on 10 April 1970.

Who directed Let It Be?

Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who had previously directed the 'Paperback Writer', 'Rain', 'Hey Jude', and 'Revolution' promotional films. He also directed the Let It Be rooftop concert footage on 30 January 1969.

Why were Cynthia Lennon and Jane Asher at the première?

Both had been invited as guests. Cynthia Lennon had been married to John Lennon from 1962 to 1968; Jane Asher had been Paul McCartney's girlfriend from 1963 to 1968. Both had separated from their respective Beatles two years before the première.

Can you still watch Let It Be?

The original film was withdrawn from circulation in 1975. A restored and expanded version, directed by Peter Jackson and titled Get Back, was released on Disney+ in November 2021.