George Harrison Documentary by Scorsese to Debut on HBO

HBO has acquired the North American TV rights to George Harrison: Living in the Material World, a nonfiction feature from Martin Scorsese that chronicles the former Beatles‘ “musical and spiritual voyage” through interviews, performances, home movies and photographs.

The documentary, which is set to premiere in two parts on Oct. 5 and 6, traces Harrison’s life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist and a filmmaker.

Scorsese said the documentary had allowed him to spend time with Olivia Harrison – Co-producer of the film and widow of George – “interviewing so many of George’s closest friends, reviewing all that footage, and listening to all of that magnificent music.”

Among the friends and loved ones who appear in on-camera interviews are Harrison’s former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, George Martin, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector and Jackie Stewart.

Being comprised of mainly previously unseen and unheard material, the film, according to the HBO press release, gives us a rare look into the “mind and soul of one of the most talented artists of his generation and profoundly intimate and affecting work of cinema.”

To go along with the documentary, an accompanying book written by Olivia Harrison will also be released, featuring photographs, letters and diary extracts from the star’s personal archive.

George Harrison, who Beatles songs include “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” was 58-years-old when he died of lung cancer in 2001.

via BBC