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Summary: The Last Waltz
Review: I saw this movie a long time ago and it is a fascinating look at music of that time, Robbie is fabulous there is some rare moments when the drummer plays mandolin, and the guest artists are fabulous, Dylan, Van Morrison, Joan Baez I think dont quote me ,etc. The finale " I shall be released" is unforgetable. And the esoteric ending as the move finishes and the credits roll playing bizzare instruments is an amazing piece of off the wall filming. I loved it.
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Summary: Never to be surpassed
Review: So much has been written about this doco/concert/movie. I read a review somewhere on the net where the writer believed that the movie should be screened on public TV, shown at 6pm and made compulsory viewing for everyone over the age of 10, because it simply doesn't get any better than this. Hear, hear!! One word sums this up - PASSION! Just look at the faces of the musicians as they make eye contact with each other on stage, knowing that this is the last night they will ever play together, knowing that it is history in the making. Hear Robbie Robertson wringing notes out of his guitar like it's the last night on earth. Basically, words can't describe this masterpiece. Watch it and weep!
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Summary: Last Waltz -- An Absolute Classic!
Review: By far, this is one of the best rock'n'roll movies ever made. Come on it's The Band! This film reminds me of every reason I love rock'n'roll so much! My best friend even modeled his hair after Rick Danko! There are tons of guest apperances, and memorable moments. There are also many hysterical quotes and one liners, that will leave you on the floor laughing. This is the type of film you watch with a few buddies and a few 12 packs of Strohs. Always a great time watching this amazing film. You'll never forget the first time you see this film, so why not make it soon? Absolutely of its time and timeless. (...)
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Summary: VHS review
Review: I own the VHS format of The Last Waltz and must admit that live music doesn't get any better than this. The Band captured a mood that was a combination of solid blues based songs with that of elements of folk and jazz. Their music is as alive today as ever and will continue to enrich the lives of future generations of soulfull music lovers. I am a little dissapointed that the performance has not yet been released in DVD format. Given the time for such a release to have occured, it seems unlikely that it ever will be. I am hoping that the studio will release a DVD version soon.
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Summary: The First, Last, Only Concert Film!
Review: Any music documentary that makes Neil Diamond look cool has got to be something worth indulging. Not only does Martin Scorcese provide the most coherently interesting document on one of the greatest bands of all time, he provides a wonderful entry into the music that held lasting influence on many of the period's greatest artists. In one concert you have Muddy Waters, Ronnie Hawkins, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. What sets this apart from other concert films, are the interviews with members of The Band and the tension captured in the live performances; the pacing is dead on. You hear about the early days of touring, playing harp "til your lips bleed", and the truth about how touring takes its toll. What makes this more than just another concert film is Dylan's closing performance, as well a performance portrait of The Band as a headliner and then The Band as a backing ensemble. My point being, run, don't walk, and get this for your collection. The only downside to owing this masterpiece is the realization that they simply no longer make 'em as good as Robbie (rock's greatest guitarist bar none), Levon, Garth, Rick, and Richard (greatest voice in rock). Neil Diamond's glitter never shone so brightly!
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Summary: PLEASE release this DVD!
Review: One of the most versatile, mature, creative and talented groups in all of North American music in the most richly and beautifully directed concert film ever. Perhaps the only concert film ever to succeed artistically as an honest-to-god movie.
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Summary: The greatest Rock N' Roll Film of all time.
Review: From start to finish this film captures everything that is, or was, rock n' roll.You have Blues with Muddy Waters, Eric clapton and Paul Butterfield.You have Rockabilly with Ronnie Hawkins. You have Countryfied rock with Neil Young ,Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris. Then there is the soul of The Staple Singers and Van Morrison.The singer/songwriting of Neil Diamond.Last but not least, Bob Dylan.Who shows up at the end of the movie to put it all together with the stars of the show, THE BAND.All the styles mentioned above can be found in any given BAND song. I highly doubt that if you are reading this that you are unfamiller with the music of The Band. MArtin Scorsese does a great job of capturing the raw emotion that could take place at a real rock n' roll show. I could go on forever, but I won't. The main reason I'm writng this is to say that Robbie and Mr. Scorsese are finally getting together to work on the DVD Version of this fantastic document. No word on when it is to be released, but I will be one of the first persons to buy a copy and you should be too.
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Summary: More than a priceless concert film; it was the end of an era
Review: Although I had already seen this film on video a few times, I saw it last night on a "big" screen at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The print was in horrible condition, but seeing it with an audience brought out a spirit in the film I had never before felt watching it on video by myself. The film truly *became* a concert, with the audience clapping before and after (and sometimes during) each song. It was so exciting. (In case you're wondering who got the most applause, it was Muddy Waters.) I think it made everyone from that time feel so young and alive. If the print and sound had been better, and the screen a bit bigger, I think we would have all jumped out of our seats and rushed the stage! It was so wonderful.Seeing this on a big screen brought out many subtleties that didn't quite register with me before. For example, the way the camera subtly moves in on the guests as they begin their performances. In particular, I love the moment the camera lowers to show a white hat and, then, Bob Dylan. The film doesn't include the introduction of him, the camera just drops down on him. There are a lot of wonderful surprises that creep up on you, fantastic moments that make this documentary a living, breathing thing. One of my favorites is Joni Mitchell singing a haunting, ethereal backup to "Helpless" from behind the curtain. Was that planned? Rick Danko's pained delivery of "It Makes No Difference", with the guys all backing him up during the chorus. If you can't feel Rick singing that song, then there is something wrong with you. The later studio scene with Rick (working on his solo project at the time), hearing a sample of what he was working on in the studio. That voice. Oh god. The sound of Muddy Waters booming through the auditorium. An almost as deep Mavis Staples reaching way down low for "The Weight". The Staples sisters smiling at their father; they really look like a *family*. Van Morrison in his tight red suit, kicking the air. The fake smoke during "Evangeline". Everyone singing "I Shall Be Released" in beautiful harmony, with Richard Manuel unexpectedly sneaking in to sing lead during the second verse. There are so many fantastic moments. This is truly brilliant filmmaking, and as a by-product, it is a knockout concert film that just takes my breath away (or is it the other way around?). Watching this (again and again) will be a life-altering experience, and it will make you a believer in the redemptive power and salvation that was the cornerstone of late 60s/early 70s rock and roll. It will also sadden you, however, to see that this film captured the end of that era. Sure we have our artists now, but somehow this society has made it harder for men to be as emotional and as close as we see displayed here. I love seeing several of the guys sharing a microphone. I think modern rock guys are too afraid to stand that close in public, let alone have their mouths that close together. Where did we go wrong? Will the next Bob Dylan, Neil Young, or Bruce Springsteen please STAND UP???? To he** with "slim shady"!!!!
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Summary: get this title on DVD
Review: This collection of artists playing with one another through the eyes of one of the most talented movie makers of all time to mark a memorable occasion, coupled with amazing sound quality, makes this a must see experience. You will be moved.
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Summary: A CONCERT FILM MASTERPIECE FOR THE AGES
Review: The Band was fortunate to have Martin Scorsese film this historic concert. The Band and their guests are all in peak form, and a top film crew captures it all. A masterpiece in many ways. When Scorcese and Robbie Robertson edited the film, unfortunately it was kept short enough to fit theatre-preferred movie time slots. Maybe if Robertson and Scorcese had known the film was to become critically-acclaimed as the best concert film they would have originally included the rest of the concert as a 3-video set. Gratefully we now have a remastered DVD release. Yet other than footage of one of the after-concert jams, half of the concert remains unreleased on film. As Scorcese said in an interview, they'd done an exhaustive search and what became of the rest of the footage is presently a mystery. With a grin he said if it ever turns up, maybe they'll be able to release the rest as 'the lost performances'. The complete audio of the entire concert is thankfully preserved on the new expanded 4-CD set. I was lucky enough to be at the concert. The Band played an entire concert of their songs, and after a break brought out the guests, backing them all so amazingly well, it rivaled or surpassed the guest's original releases of their songs. The Band was on stage for at least 5 hours that night. It's hoped someone in the vaults eventually stumbles upon the rest of the footage, and we may then have a complete film of the other outstanding and musically historic performances.
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