[WGH]

Man on the Run is a fascinating documentary about Paul and Linda McCartney that takes place after the breakup of the Beatles up to John Lennon's death. The film was made by documentarian Morgan Neville, who directed documentaries about Fred Rogers, Anthony Bourdain, Orson Welles, Hank Williams, Bono, Keith Richards, Johnny Cash and won the Academy Award for best documentary feature and the Grammy for best music film for "20 Feet From Stardom." Morgan Neville's next documentary, "Lorne," about "Saturday Night Live" executive producer Lorne Michaels, comes out in April.

Wings with Denny Laine, Denny Seiwell, Linda and Paul McCartney at the Scotland farm's chicken coop recording studio



Paul was only 27 when the Beatles broke up, his whole life was with John Lennon and later the Beatles starting when he was 15 years old. After the breakup Paul retreated to a very remote farmhouse in Scotland for peace and quiet and raise his new family. What happens next is the subject of this documentary. Linda was a photographer and the family allowed Morgan Neville use previously unseen archival footage. "Man On The Run," features new interviews with Paul McCartney, his daughters, John's son, Sean Ono Lennon and Mick Jagger.

The documentary follows Paul's tentative steps trying to make music without the Beatles, first with a solo album and then with Wings.




Morgan Neville's interview on "Fresh Air" adds depth and insights to this documentary. If you can, listen to the interview before watching the film.

Paul McCartney's decade of transformation: From Beatles breakup to John Lennon's murder
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/04/nx-s1-5734037/paul-mccartney-beatles-documentary-morgan-neville

Morgan Neville:
"[John's death]... was the moment where nothing would ever be the same again. And it wasn't. I mean, it's why I chose to end the film there, is I think Paul completely changes at that moment. I think the Paul McCartney of today begins at that moment, in a way, that no longer is Paul running away from his past and trying to reconcile who he is as a solo artist or as Wings or as The Beatles. He can just be Paul. And from that moment on, Wings are no more. He never records or tours with him again. He starts recording as Paul McCartney, starts working with George Martin again and Ringo and just kind of embraces all of it, and he doesn't have to create a wall between himself and that past."


Watch the trailer
https://youtu.be/pBcllNrY0u8

 

[jonbee]

Interesting to have insight into a life few of us can even imagine. Artists often would like fame and recognition, but to be 100% swallowed by a global monster from a young age, all the way to life's late stages? How would we respond to living in a fishbowl for life? 2 other Beatles murdered or nearly so? Would anyone wish for that, eyes open?
I think the man has done well with an unimaginable set of challenges. An actual living legend in a modern comic/tragic sense.

[Mike B.]

I am looking forward to seeing it. I bought Paul's first solo album when it came out. The tracks done on the farm with him playing all the instruments are still a go to listen from time to time.

[jonbee]

I wanted to add that it is an interesting, well done movie. A look at the inside story, Worth a watch, imo.