Scorcese film premieres in Liverpool

MARTIN Scorsese has always had a bit of a thing about George Harrison.

His memorable gangster flick Goodfellas was peppered with tunes by the former Beatle.

He's also got a thing about making documentaries about musical legends: Shine a Light did it for the Rolling Stones and No Direction Home, his opus to Bob Dylan, took the director of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull into, well, a whole new direction.

Now George Harrison, Living in the Material World surveys the life and times of the so-called quiet Beatle who died in 2001, tragically young at just 58. Co-produced with Harrison's widow, Olivia, it gets its UK premiere here in Liverpool, Harrison's birthplace, on Sunday October 2.

Oscar winner Scorsese traces Beatle George's life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist and, don't forget, hugely influential fimmaker himself.

Much of the footage has never been seen or heard before and the film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Jackie Stewart. 

And for Scorcese it's undoubtedly a labour of love: “Like so many millions of people, I first came to know George through the music, which was the soundtrack of our world," he said.

"The Beatles’ music, those beautifully lyrical guitar breaks and solos, those unforgettable songs of George’s like I Me Mine or If I Needed Someone, and the images, in magazines, on album covers, the TV appearances, the newsreel footage, the Richard Lester movies; and then there was the world after the Beatles, when George and his music seemed to open up and flower."

He added: "I will never forget the first time I heard All Things Must Pass, the overwhelming feeling of taking in all that glorious music for the first time. It was like walking into a cathedral.

"George was making spiritually awake music – we all heard and felt it – and I think that was the reason that he came to occupy a very special place in our lives. So when I was offered the chance to make this picture, I jumped at it."

Olivia Harrison said: “Martin Scorsese’s intuition towards George was evident the first time we met to discuss this project. He sensed what George was about."

Sounds like a go, go, go.

Meanwhile, below, here's some footage of how it might have been in one of Scorcese's documentaries. But not.

*George Harrison: Living In The Material World; UK Premiere, Picturehouse at Fact, Sunday October 2. Showing also on Tuesday October 4 for one night. Tickets on sale now.