In what just might be the finest rock & roll concert film ever, THE LAST WALTZ celebrates the final performance by the Band (Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, and Garth Hudson). The show took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1976, at San Francisco's Winterland Arena--where the group had played their very first show more than 16 years before. In order to make their farewell even more unforgettable, they recruited numerous guests to join them onstage, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Hawkins, Paul Butterfield, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, the Staple Singers, Dr. John, Ringo Starr, Ron Wood, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Martin Scorsese, a former roommate of Robbie Robertson's, employs some of the world's greatest cinematographers--including Michael Chapman, Vilmos Zsigmond, and Laszlo Kovacs--to film the set in a way that captures the show's sweat and energy with a powerful intimacy. Interspersed into the songs are a series of interviews with the Band's members, who recall their early days playing for empty bars and their emergence as major players in the rock & roll game. THE LAST WALTZ is a thrilling concert film, mandatory viewing even for those unfamiliar with the Band or rock music in general.
Martin Scorsese's stunning THE LAST WALTZ captures the Band's historic farewell performance in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day, 1976, and features many revealing interviews with members of the legendary group. Among the many titles included are "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Helpless," and "I Shall be Released." Featuring some of rock & roll's most revered figures--including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell--THE LAST WALTZ is unquestionably one of the greatest concert films ever.
Theatrical Release: April 26, 1978.
Filmed on location in San Francisco, California.
The Band perform the following tracks: "Don't Do It," "Theme from The Last Waltz," "Up on Cripple Creek," "Stagefright," "It Makes No Difference," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Shape I'm In," "Ophelia," "Life Is a Carnival," "The Well," "Evangeline," "Old Time Religion," "Genetic Method: Chest Fever," "Out of the Blue," and "The Weight."
The film was originally rated R by the MPAA but rerated PG on appeal.
The film marked the first appearance in a major motion picture for composer and musician Robbie Robertson, who went on to act in such films as CARNY.
Guest appearances:
"Evangeline" (with Emmylou Harris)
"The Weight" (with the Staples)
"Further on Up the Road" (with Eric Clapton)
"Baby Let Me Follow You Down" (with Bob Dylan)
"I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)"
(with Bob Dylan)
"Forever Young" (with Bob Dylan)
"I Shall Be Released" (with Ensemble)
"Mystery Train" (with Paul Butterfield)
"Dry Your Eyes" (Neil Diamond)
"Down South in New Orleans" (with Dr. John)
"Who Do You Love?" (with Ronnie Hawkins)
"Coyote" (with Joni Mitchell)
"Helpless" (with Joni Mitchell & Neil Young)
"Caravan" (with Van Morrison)
"Such a Night" (with Dr. John)
"Tura Lura Lura (That's an Irish Lullaby)"
(with Van Morrison)
"Mannish Boy" (with Muddy Waters)
Blu-ray Disc Features:
Region [unknown]
NTSC
Keep Case
Package Note: Blue BD Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - English
PCM 5.1 - English
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean Thai - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Featurette: "Revisiting THE LAST WALTZ"
Audio Commentary: Martin Scorsese - Director
Director of Photography
Lazlo Kovacs: Hungarian-born director of photography
Director of Photography
Michael Chapman: American Director Of Photography/Director
Director of Photography
Michael Watkins:
Director of Photography
Vilmos Zsigmond: Hungarian Director of Photography
Executive Producer
Jonathan Taplin:
Guest Performer
Bob Dylan: Folksinger/Songwriter
Guest Performer
Dr. John: Jazz Piano legend
Guest Performer
Emmylou Harris: Country Music Singer
Guest Performer
Eric Clapton: British Songwriter/Musician, "Layla"
Guest Performer
Joni Mitchell: Canadian Singer/Songwriter
Guest Performer
Lawrence Ferlinghetti: AMERICAN POET
Guest Performer
Muddy Waters: American R&B Musician
Guest Performer
Neil Diamond: Pop Singer/Songwriter/Actor
Guest Performer
Neil Young: Musician/Filmmaker/Artist
Guest Performer
Paul Butterfield: R&B Singer/Songwriter
Guest Performer
Ringo Starr: British Musician/Actor, HELP!(1965), BORN TO BOOGIE (1972)
Guest Performer
Ron Wood: British Guitarist/Stones
Guest Performer
Ronnie Hawkins: Rock Music Performer
Guest Performer
The Staple Singers: Soul Singers
Guest Performer
Van Morrison: Irish Singer/Songwriter
Music Performer(s)
The Band:
Production Designer
Boris Leven: Production Designer
Review 1:
"...An outstanding rock documentary....The film is a series of highlights....Tight and exciting...It fits together beautifully..."
Source: Variety
04/12/1978
Review 2:
"...A dazzling array of talent on display here..."
Source: New York Times
p.C15 04/26/1978
Review 3:
"...A revealing document..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.36 04/29/2002
Review 4:
"...The first rock-concert film shot in 35mm....It's a RAGING BULL knockout job supervised by Scorsese and Band guitarist Robbie Robertson..."
Source: USA Today
p.16D 05/10/2002
Review 5:
"...The film boasts kinetic, crisply lighted camerawork and foot-of-the-stage sound..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.78 11/27/2003
Review 6:
"...Some of the best musical performances ever caught on film..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.56 05/10/2002