A FINE FAREWELL TO THE QUIET BEATLE.

Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic

PRECISELY ONE YEAR after his death, on Nov. 29, 2002, many of George Harrison's super-talented pals got together for a concert tribute to the late Beatle at London's Royal Albert Hall. ``Concert for George'' is a straight-forward documentary of that once-after-a-lifetime show, and it's made with such unobtrusive expertise that it is truly the next best thing to having been there.

Directed by David Leland, a British screenwriter and filmmaker who has not - until now - lived up to his cheekily charming helming debut, ``Wish You Were Here,'' and shot on vibrant high-definition digital video by estimable cinematographer Chris Menges (``The Killing Fields,'' ``Dirty Pretty Things''), it's the kind of music documentary that really knows what it's about: the music.

Leland basically takes us from the beginning to the end of the program, with a judicious few flashbacks to rehearsals, bits of backstage business and mercifully brief interviews of inarticulate rock stars. Even when this is done in the middle of a performance (and Leland picked the right ones to cut away from), the music fades but never leaves, and we always come back on stage for the big finish. Combining that with an unusual sense of big theater intimacy and effective capture of the warmth the event inspired, the documentary approximates the enveloping quality that the best rock shows create.

But like I said, it's about the concert. And what a great one it was. With Harrison's romantic-rival-turned-dear-friend Eric Clapton acting as musical director and default lead guitarist and singer, the all-star lineup (captured in 5.1 surround sound) plays its collective heart out. Unlike with most supergroup congregations - there are rarely less than half a dozen guitars and three keyboards and drum sets each per song, not to mention the full Indian orchestra and nine-piece classical string band - hardly a false note can be heard.

Harrison's fellow Traveling Wilburys Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty start the show with renditions of ``If I Needed Someone,'' ``Taxman'' and ``Handle With Care.'' Ringo Starr really gets things rolling with strongly sung versions of ``Photograph,'' which he wrote with George, and a favorite Carl Perkins cover from the early Beatles days, ``Honey Don't,'' before taking his rightful place on the drum riser.

Then it's time for some comedy relief from most of the original Monty Python's Flying Circus (Harrison produced several of their films). Is that Tom Hanks wearing a Mountie uniform in ``The Lumberjack Song'' chorus?

Biggest difference between this one and ``The Concert for Bangladesh'' - not counting the top guy's absence, of course - is Paul McCartney instead of Bob Dylan. Macca pulls the old ukulele ``Something'' bit that he's been working on his own recent tours, but this time Clapton sagely fills in on the electric solo. McCartney returns the favor later on, duetting with Slowhand on ``All Things Must Pass.''

The guitar god also gamely tries to keep in time with the Indian orchestra while it runs through the special composition ``Arpan'' (``Offering'') Ravi Shankar wrote in honor of his ascended friend. He can't quite do it, but it's rather delightful to hear a virtuoso like Clapton struggle so hard. Of course, when the whole show climaxes with George's ``While My Guitar Gently Weeps,'' there is nothing gentle at all about Clapton's blistering guitar.

And there is, of course, much more. Harrison's widow Olivia was one of ``Concert for George's'' producers, and his spitting-image son Dhani strums throughout the show. Proceeds from the film and its November-slated DVD release go to Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation, which supports diverse artistic and philosophical expressions.

Bob Strauss, [phone]

bob.strauss(at)dailynews.com

CONCERT FOR GEORGE - Four stars

(PG-13: nudity)

Starring: Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Ravi Shankar, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Billy Preston.

Director: David Leland.

Running time: 1 hr. 48 min.

Playing: AMC Burbank 16; ArcLight, Hollywood; Mann's Criterion, Santa Monica.

In a nutshell: Film of the all-star musical tribute to the late Beatle Harrison at London's Royal Albert Hall last year is as good as having been there.