The Last Waltz (1978)

best movie i've ever seen.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I finally saw it.Yep, I've heard about this concert pretty much my entire music consumption life (50 years!), and had never seen the movie of The Band's break-up. I just read an excerpt of Robbie Robertson's new book, so I had to check out the movie.All I can say is...great production, flawed concept. It looks awesome. Scorsese delivers again. But the whole presentation of including interviews interspersed with performances just didn't work for me. One minute your grooving to a nice version of "Life Is a Carnival" or "Stage Fright", and then the momentum crashes as we get saddled with another interview. Plus, there was so much good stuff that didn't make the movie (see Wikipedia for all the details) that it just feels like we saw a shell of what a great night it was if you were there.Still worth checking out, as it's a great mid-70's time capsule of the rock world before music videos took over a short-time later.

If you had a time-machine and could choose any concert in history to be present at and witness, what would it be? Neil Diamond, Hot August Night? The final Beatles concert on the roof top of the Apple Studio?? Woodstock??? The Band, The Last Waltz, is my pick. What a collection of artists, performing in their prime, superbly captured by Martin Scorsese. This amazing show reminds us that you don't need sex or expensive musical production sets to show off real talent and captivate an audience. It's not all roses though, the many years of constant touring is evident and on display for all to see in the faces and stories of each band member. All I can say to you good music people is, "do yourself a favour", turn it up, pour a drink, and enjoy the show

As long as The Band and it's highly talented roster of guest stars are on stage The Last Waltz soars. Director Martin Scorsese's preparation for this one take only scene opportunity of the concert portion has cameras in the right place as well as a crystal clear audio track to capture many performers at the top of their game on a chandelier draped stage bathed in the same lush colorful light found on the damp New York streets of Taxi Driver.One by one rock stars from the previous decade and beyond take the stage and belt out a tune. Bob Dylan, Neal Young, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton even Neil Diamond and especially Dr. John doing "Such a Night" have bring down the house numbers. The night's outstanding performers are The Band itself. A group of five multi talented musicians whose passion for the art form put commercial success on the back burner in favor of just making music they electrify the stage with driving renditions of "Cripple Creek" "Mystery Train" and others. Drummer Levon Helm's powerful vocals are the group's high point despite attempts by lead guitarist Robbie Robertson to upstage. Robertson foolishly attempts to take on Eric Clapton in a battle of axes who in a calm, cool respectful manner vanquishes Robbie's swaggering.Offstage the members fail to ignite with Scorsese's interviewing skills scattered and reverential. The boys are mostly shy (in the case of Rick Danko, high) and modest about their accomplishments with the exception of poser Robertson who has plenty of nothing to say to fan Scorsese.There are two beautifully performed non-concert pieces featuring The Staples and Emmy Lou Harris adding to the musical feast that not only provides superior musical entertainment but also serves as a valuable timepiece to the end of an era. The dark age of Disco was about to begin.

I first saw this film on its original theatrical release in Dallas, TX, 1978. Now watching it for the umpeenth time now, 2007, in Philadelphia, PA and this is one of those "timeless classics" that never gets old. The artists far outweigh any of the new talent coming into play currently. Please do not misunderstand me, I am a huge fan of Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, etc., but, I think that Clapton, The Band, Dylan, EmmyLou Harris, Joni Mitchell, et al, are the essence of music. Perhaps because I grew up with them, As I sit here on my sofa listening to Dylan, it brings back memories of numerous concerts, etc, that just cn't be relived nowadays. I find this film a true trip into the past of fond memories and classic music. This film will remain forever a classic history of Rock and Roll legends and should not be missed.