George Harrison: Living In The Material World (2011)

89% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
82% want to see it
(381 ratings)

HBO and Martin Scorsese present GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD. The film focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most preeminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George… More HBO and Martin Scorsese present GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD. The film focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema's most preeminent filmmakers on one of the world's most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George Harrison's life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Martin Scorsese
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest

Studio: HBO Documentary

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
A fitting, sonorous tribute to the pop idol, movie producer, spiritual searcher and constant gardener.
Matt Zoller Seitz, Salon.com
It's a problematic, at times off-putting, but ultimately fascinating work, moving through George's life with its own mysterious internal logic.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Scorsese has accomplished the best documentary that is probably possible.
Peter Debruge, Variety
More than mere rock-doc hagiography, Material World reveals how a tortured millionaire struggled to tame his soul, understand life and ready himself for death.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
After this, Ringo's gonna need Werner Herzog to make his life story interesting.
Diva Velez, TheDivaReview.com
Its trove of unseen treasures is required viewing for fans, but the majority of time spent on Beatlemania and his spiritual pursuits over nearly four hours leaves viewers with as many questions about George Harrison as when they came in.
Julian Wood, FILMINK (Australia)
Modest and leisurely, albeit exhaustive and insightful, this would have been even better with extended music sequences.
Jake Wilson, The Age (Australia)
The film fits easily into Scorsese's body of work, as a study of a complex, sometimes angry figure struggling with his contradictions.
Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun (Australia)
Though the film will resonate more with Beatles tragics ahead of the general public, Scorsese mounts a powerfully persuasive argument for a reassessment of Harrison as a musical force in his own right.
Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics
Even if you thought you knew everything, you will learn from this film.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Essential viewing for fans.
Alistair Harkness, Scotsman
Tepid though Scorsese's approach is, it's still a joy to revisit much of the material...
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Despite its punishing three-and-a-half-hour length, this is a thoroughly engaging, highly entertaining and pleasingly exhaustive portrait of a fascinating man. Needless to say, this is a real treat for Beatles fans.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
I was left with a greater understanding and appreciation of his work.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
The streamlining of George Harrison's life's wants and needs does not warrant the length lavished on it here.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
It takes a long and loving look at history as well as trying, sometimes fruitlessly, to discover what made this most private of the Beatles tick.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Scorsese's film suggests that alone in the Beatles, and perhaps alone in pop's premier league, Harrison was an authentic spiritual figure. For Harrison fans, this is a treat.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Reid V

A very well-produced documentary about a very enigmatic figure.
Eric B

Of course, this documentary is required viewing for Beatles fans. But it's not perfect. Diehards may grumble that so much of Harrison's solo career is ignored (few recordings beyond All Things Must Pass and the first Traveling Wilburys album are discussed). The landmark… More
Of course, this documentary is required viewing for Beatles fans. But it's not perfect. Diehards may grumble that so much of Harrison's solo career is ignored (few recordings beyond All Things Must Pass and the first Traveling Wilburys album are discussed). The landmark "Anthology" project also goes unmentioned. More crucially, director Martin Scorsese struggles for a way to depict the Beatles era while remaining focused on the Quiet One and avoiding well-trodden ground. Most of Harrison's Beatles compositions are dutifully plucked out to showcase, but why does Scorsese wholly skip the "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!" and "Yellow Submarine" films? And no interviews with Pete Best or Cynthia Lennon? Meanwhile, we do get unnecessary talk of Lennon's "bigger than Jesus" controversy and an odd emphasis on Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr. The first portion also has some awkward jumps in time, as if Scorsese considered a flashback structure and abandoned it in midstream. The interviews are not particularly essential, beyond a rare chat with Phil Spector (who comes off quite sharp, despite his strange appearance) and the sight of Ringo Starr getting choked up to recall his final meeting with the dying Harrison. Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono just deliver their usual media-crafted soundbites. No surprises there, though it's interesting to hear McCartney surrender credit for the guitar figure of "And I Love Her." In the end, the narrative doesn't matter much. It's more about fastening onto the rarely seen photos and film clips. A shot of the young Harrison and John Lennon mourning Stuart Sutcliffe especially lingers in memory.
Christopher O

Martin Scorsese captures the heart and soul of George Harrison and makes a film both spiritual and visual and moving. It may be a little too long but watching it three increments worked for me and I was touched by it and discovered many things I never knew of him or the beatles who I… More
Martin Scorsese captures the heart and soul of George Harrison and makes a film both spiritual and visual and moving. It may be a little too long but watching it three increments worked for me and I was touched by it and discovered many things I never knew of him or the beatles who I both loved dearly. The interviews are well constructed and the people interviewed are very effective in setting the tone of the film and there are some great interviews with George himself.
David S

For any Beatles or Harrison fan this is a fascinating and thorough documentary from Scorsese that includes loads of video footage that hasn't been seen before and interviews from all the important people in Harrison's life (apart from Lennon, obviously). The music is also… More
For any Beatles or Harrison fan this is a fascinating and thorough documentary from Scorsese that includes loads of video footage that hasn't been seen before and interviews from all the important people in Harrison's life (apart from Lennon, obviously). The music is also amazing and I really hope they bring a soundtrack album out as it would stand as a brilliant Greatest Hits. The main problem with the documentary is that Harrison is portrayed too much as a saint and his darker side and times isn't really explored. Patty is featured briefly but the disintegration of their marriage isn't gone into in any detail and you feel that too many things are being left unsaid. Also, despite featuring the Wilbury's his 87 comeback album 'Cloud 9' isn't even mentioned and no music is featured from it. Maybe there is some more included in the bonus features but it would have been nice to show that Harrison did other great albums apart from 'All Things Must Pass'. Still it's a great documentary about the man and I dare you not to have a lump in your throat as Ringo describes his last meeting with the man.
hawk l

Well-crafted, intimate account of the quiet Beatle's quest for spiritual purity. Amazing footage.