The landmark Beatles Anthology collection will get a major refresh this fall with the re-release of the original eight-part series, Anthology music collection and Beatles Anthology book in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the project.
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The TV series that debuted in Nov. 1995 telling the story of the Fab Four in their own words and through archival footage and performances has been restored, remastered and expanded with a new ninth episode featuring previously unseen, behind-the-scenes footage of Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr coming together in 1994-1995 (minus the late John Lennon) to work on the project, as well as reflecting on their lives in the band.
According to a release announcing the project, the expanded documentary series will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning on Nov. 26. The restoration was overseen by the Apple Corps’ production team, along with filmmaker Peter Jackson’s Wingnut Films and Park Road Post teams, as well as producer Giles Martin, who created a new audio mix for most of the featured music.
The Anthology music collection will also be restored and expanded to four volumes spread across 12 vinyl LPs and eight CDs. The collection originally curated by “fifth Beatle” longtime producer/arranger George Martin — and remastered by his son, producer Giles Martin — will add Anthology 4, which includes 13 previously unreleased demos and session recordings and other rarities overseen by Giles. In addition, it will add new mixes of the Anthology-related “new” singles “Free As a Bird” and “Real Love,” refreshed by original producer ELO’s Jeff Lynne using “de-mixed” Lennon vocals.
Both new mixes will appear alongside the band’s 2023 Grammy-winning U.K. No. 1 single “Now and Then,” which has been described as the last-ever Beatles song. The full Anthology project, due out Nov. 21, will feature 191 songs available for digital purchase and streaming, as well as in physical formats. Both physical box sets will include the original sleeve notes for Anthology 1, 2 and 3, with Anthology 4 featuring track notes by BBC producer and author Kevin Howlett and an introduction compiled from 1996 interviews recorded with Beatles close friend and advisor Derek Taylor.
In addition, the “Free As a Bird” music video has been restored as part of the effort (watch it here).
There will also be a 25th anniversary edition of the 368-page The Beatles Anthology book. Due out on Oct. 14 through Apple Corps. Ltd. and Chronicle Books, it will feature “honest, intimate and revelatory” recollections from John, Paul, George and Ringo, as well as insights from close friends and colleagues Neil Aspinall, Martin, Taylor and others. The book features more than 1,300 photos, documents, artwork and other memorabilia from the band’s archives.
Watch the Anthology trailer below.