The Last Waltz

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing DVD of an amazing concert
Review: What a great disc. Well worth purchase. You can't go wrong...

Rating:
Summary: The end of an era, captured beutifully!
Review: To paraphrase a song by The Band. "A hippie's dream..if I ever did see one". Filmed in 1976, The Last Waltz captures the end of an era beautifully. The lighting has a dream-like quality to it. I guess if our generation died and went to heaven, this would be the closest thing. It centers around The Band and their magnificent musicians (Robertson, Danko, Helm, Manuel and Hudson) plus great performances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, the great Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris and more! The DVD also includes audio commentaries, behind the scenes features and great digital audio. After 1976, we were bombarded with disco, new wave, and punk leading us into the techno 80's. This film represents the music of the post-hippy late 60's and early 70's best. It is intelligent rock music performed by my some of the greatest names in rock history. This is one of the finest music films ever made. It comes across more like a movie than a concert and offers us a greater depth of understanding behind the personalities that dominated and influenced music during that period. Outstanding!

Rating:
Summary: Fake Widescreen
Review: Compare the picture on this DVD to the picture in the VHS tape that we all know and love. You'll find that with this "letterbox" version, the black bars COVER UP the top and bottom of the original picture!!! You are NOT seeing more (as you are normally supposed to with letterbox), you are seeing LESS of "The Last Waltz" than ever before. A/B them and see for yourself.

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Rating:
Summary: Concert film or soap opera?
Review: A great technical piece of work and a highly entertaining concert film, and even more interesting if you know a little about the Band's history. I remember seeing this film as a teen-ager and knowing absolutely nothing about The Band, and being particularly amazed by Levon Helm's drumming (I'd never seen anyone play drums that way before).

But is it an accurate representation of the group? Well, read Levon's highly entertaining autobiography, "This Wheel's on Fire," and you won't feel too good about that question...the book portrays the film as an ego exercise for Robbie Robertson and an adventure in lies-by-editing. Actually, that knowledge makes the film even more fun to watch, as you become aware of the endless film flattery Robertson gets -- but, hey, he was probably the most dynamic and photogenic member of the group (not to mention that he wrote great lyrics, as was subsequently confirmed by his solo albums).

Watch these guest musicians roll across the stage -- everyone from Muddy Waters to Neil Friggin' Diamond -- and you can't help but think that we have yet to reach this level of musical depth again. You also can't help but note that a lot of these musicians probably weren't cute enough to cut it on MTV, and you can't help but wonder how much modern music has suffered as a result.

Finally: PLAY THIS MOVIE LOUD.

Rating:
Summary: Great music by outstanding musicians
Review: Say what you will about Robbie Robertson and his agenda in the making this film... I choose to ignore the critics and enjoy the concert and the music for what it is - and it is outstanding. The Band was composed true musicians, all of indisputable talent - something that is rare today. The closest parallel - with multiple lead singers and a wide range of rock, blues, country influences - is the Eagles. This music is timeless.

This exceptional DVD reissue will introduce a whole new generation to the music and performance magic of The Band - while providing a mid-career snapshot of music legends who are still going strong today - such as Clapton, Dylan and Young.

Rating:
Summary: what its all about.
Review: Even those unfamiliar with the band or its music could appreciate their down and dirty, no holds barred approach to music. One can't help but be mesmerized by the respect they command which is evident by the guestlist at this show. The hypnotizing charisma of the band members especially robbie robertson is glaring during the interviews. I found myself hanging on every word, even the thought process of how they came up with the most uncreative of band names. what appealed to me and should to others watching this film is how scorcese's interviews with the band make you feel as though you're in the room listening to war stories from your most interesting of friends. the guest performances are as if all the planets and stars aligned for one night. neil young's "helpless" with a silouetted joni mitchell providing back up should provide those elusive goosebumps one receives when witnessing something beautiful. a must own for anyone with a pulse.

Rating:
Summary: A Window to 1970s Rock n Roll
Review: This is the best rock concert film made.
The Band is to the US what The Beatles, The Who and The Rolling Stones were to England. Viewers in their teens and twenties will not only learn about some of the greats (like Van Morrison, Neil Young & Joni Mitchell) but will accidently learn a bit about the history of rock and roll.
This was an amazing era. The 1976 concert was a who's who in rock and the top ticket price was $7.50. Concert goers got a Thanksgiving meal, ballroom dancing, and live music from 9 PM to 2 AM by some of the biggest names of that era.
Neil Diamon looks like he wandered in from a realtor's convention. Neil Young looks like he wandered in from an AA meeting. Eric Clapton still played blues rock rather than pop rock. All look more interested in music than apperances -- fantastically refreshing compared to MTV. A must see concert that still sounds fantastic.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, FAKE WIDESCREEN on DVD
Review: Okay folks, you know that this was a great concert, and I'm not giving one star because of the quality of the performances. I'm giving one star because this is presented in "fake widescreen," meaning you are NOT getting more picture for your money, but LESS. Compare this version to the old VHS version and see for yourself. The black bars at the top and bottom of the screen actually COVER UP parts of the picture that had originally been there, and you are NOT given more to look at on the sides.

The box itself lies to the consumer, claiming "the widescreen format presents up to 50% more image to the left and right of the screen than the standard 'pan and scan' process." While that's true in cases of genuine letterboxing, it is NOT true here. You see LESS of "The Last Waltz" than ever before! True fans shouldn't be satisfied with this.

You should know that fake letterbox has been added to several other great movies, thereby ruining those DVD releases as well (see Orson Welles' "Touch of Evil" or Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits" as examples, among others). I don't understand the thinking behind this practice, and since few people notice it, nobody bothers to complain. MGM should be ashamed of themselves, and Robbie, who seems to have had a big hand in producing this DVD, should have noticed it too.

Rating:
Summary: I wish I could give it 100 STARS it's that good.
Review: For anybody who is under the impression that this movie is a shame IS OUT OF THEIR MINDS!!.This is by far the best rock concert/documentary caught on film.Shot in 35mm which adds to the crispness and clarity that almost every other rock film lacks.
I too am a HUGE BAND fan and I have read "WHEELS ON FIRE" by Levon Helm. I also saw them after Robbie had left and they were still great. But you have to admit the songs on the last two band albums were not as good as Robbies solo albums, musically and lyricly.Anyway,this DVD shows what a great band THE BAND really were. Every performance is wonderfull and there are so many moments were the music and the directing come together that give me goose bumps. Van's kicks in the air during "Caravan", Claptons solo at the end of the song" Further on up the road" are for sure highlights. But lets not forget about Garths great sax solo at the end of "it makes no difference" and Levons incredible singing through out the whole show. All members in the BAND should have be greatfull for Robbie. He put together a show for generations to come, so they could see what a REAL Rock n' Roll show is all about..passion.

Rating:
Summary: Not Bad
Review: I read Levon Helm's book on The Band. There were major problems with the filming of this concert. Nearly all of the music had to be redone by the performers and it shows. Watch the musicians hands and you'll cleary see that they don't match with what you're hearing. It still sounds pretty good though. It is worth seeing. But the new 5.1 mix is a bit annoying. It moves around too much and vocals seem to change in volume. I LOVE The Band. I have all of their CDs. It's a shame that the concert was so shabbily done, thanks to all of the drugs consumed by everyone involved. Still, it's an enjoyable film.