George Harrison: Living in the Material World

He was part of the most famous rock-'n'-roll quartet in history. But George Harrison was much more than just a member of The Beatles.

George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011) is a two-episode American documentary miniseries created for HBO, a biographical portrait of the guitarist and songwriter who was part of The Beatles. Rather than retelling the band's story, the series concentrates on Harrison himself, following his path from a young musician in Liverpool to a solo artist searching for meaning beyond fame. The engine of the film is the tension between public stardom and private seeking, traced through archive footage and new interviews. Former bandmates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr appear as themselves alongside Eric Clapton, producer George Martin, and longtime friend Klaus Voormann, each offering recollections that deepen the portrait. Pattie Boyd and Astrid Kirchherr add personal perspectives on his life and early years. The two episodes, each running about two hours, form a single continuous portrait rather than a case-of-the-week format. Produced with a reflective, affectionate register, the documentary moves through memory, music, and faith with a contemplative pace. Fans of Beatles Anthology, Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues, and Festival Express will find resonance in its blend of archival music history and intimate testimony.

Critics broadly acclaim this HBO documentary portrait for its intimate access to George Harrison's life and its illumination of his spiritual and musical journey beyond The Beatles.

• Martin Scorsese Presents the Bluesbiographical documentary portrait of a rock musician, archive footage and interviews with peers
• Beatles Anthologymusic documentary portrait of a famous band member, intimate archival storytelling
• Festival Expressrock documentary built on archive footage and reflections from collaborators

Release Date

2011-11-12

Episode runtime

114 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (54)

What is George Harrison: Living in the Material World about?

A two-part HBO documentary portrait of George Harrison that looks past his Beatles fame to the artist within, told through archive footage and reflections from the people who knew him best.

What is George Harrison: Living in the Material World like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of George Harrison: Living in the Material World as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is George Harrison: Living in the Material World violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in George Harrison: Living in the Material World.

What did critics think of George Harrison: Living in the Material World?

Critics broadly acclaim this HBO documentary portrait for its intimate access to George Harrison's life and its illumination of his spiritual and musical journey beyond The Beatles.

Which shows are like George Harrison: Living in the Material World?

Shows with a similar feel include Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues, Beatles Anthology, and Festival Express.

How long is George Harrison: Living in the Material World?

George Harrison: Living in the Material World: 1 season, 2 episodes.

Is George Harrison: Living in the Material World still running?

No, George Harrison: Living in the Material World has ended.

Where can I watch George Harrison: Living in the Material World?

In United States, George Harrison: Living in the Material World streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.