The Last Waltz

Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz is a landmark in concert film making, and remains a document of an historical event in popular music. The Band were a quintet of excep... more >

Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz is a landmark in concert film making, and remains a document of an historical event in popular music. The Band were a quintet of exceptionally versatile musicians who had been influenced by the blues, country, folk, jazz, and rock 'n' roll. They spent a number of years as Bob Dylan's pick up band, and guitarist Robbie Robertson (who would later collaborate again with Scorsese on King of Comedy) is arguably one of this century's most prolific and underrated songwriters (The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down). On Thanksgiving day in 1976 The Band gave their farewell performance at The Winterland, San Francisco. But this was more than just a concert, and Scorsese captures the performances with adoration. On hand to help with the celebrations were a few personal friends; Neil Young, Van Morrison, The Staples (their gospel tinged rendition of The Weight is a revelation) and of course Bob Dylan among others. Among the many highlights of this wonderful film are the blues numbers; Paul Butterfield's harmonica driven version of Mystery Train, Muddy Waters' sexually charged classic Mannish Boy, and Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson 'cutting teeth' on the lead runs of Further On Up The Road. Yet amid such musical legends as Muddy Waters, Clapton, and Dylan, Scorsese fails to forget that it is The Band who are the stars. In﷓between the rockin' and rollin' is footage of The Band members being interviewed by Scorsese himself. And though this footage is insightful and entertaining it is the music that speaks for itself; whether it is Dr. John's piano rolls, or Robbie's biting guitar trading lines with Garth Hudson's tender alto Sax, this is a concert to attend repeatedly.

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DVD Extras

• Featurette
• Outtakes
• Two Commentaries.

Film Details

Cast

Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris

Technical Details