Fremantle Boards Paul McCartney Bass Guitar Doc

Passion Pictures is producing a feature-length documentary for BBC Arts about the story behind Paul McCartney’s original Höfner bass guitar, with Fremantle handling global distribution.

Directed by Arthur Cary, The Beatle and the Bass (w.t.) charts the story of the guitar, which McCartney bought in Hamburg in 1961 and used until the early ’70s, when it went missing. It features an interview with McCartney himself as well as his brother Mike, friend Klaus Voorman and more, including collaborators, fans and journalists, with those behind “The Lost Bass Project” weighing in on their quest. It was commissioned for BBC Arts and BBC Two and iPlayer by Mark Bell and Suzy Klein.

“From its beginnings, we knew The Beatle and the Bass was exactly the kind of distinctive, emotional and uplifting story that we love to tell,” said Emily Jeal, head of feature docs at Passion Pictures. “We’re thrilled to be growing our slate of films showcasing the world’s best talent, on and off screen. Working with Arthur Cary and BBC Arena to bring the unforgettable story of Paul McCartney’s lost bass to the screen is a true privilege.”

Ceire Clark, Fremantle’s VP of non-scripted acquisitions, added: “This remarkable story takes us on a truly global journey, spanning decades and continents. The documentary offers a fresh perspective on music history, with access to McCartney himself and those who witnessed The Beatles’ rise from the very beginning. At Fremantle, we’re proud to be part of a project that celebrates the enduring power of music and storytelling to connect people around the world. We are thrilled to be reuniting with Passion and the BBC—two creative forces we deeply admire.”