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The Last Waltz | Year: 1978 Classification: Performing Arts - Concerts Directed: - Martin Scorsese Actors/Actresses: - Robbie Robertson - Muddy Waters - Neil Young - Bob Dylan - Van Morrison - Eric Clapton - Neil Diamond - Joni Mitchell The First, Last, Only Concert Film! 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! DVD Review The Last Waltz is a final tribute to the great music of the late 60's and early 70's. It marks a farewell to rock's finest era. The lineup is argueably the finest collection of rock musicians ever assembled and the performances are trancedent. Wisely Scorsese's film concentrates on the stage performances. The interview segments that sporatically appear in the film aren't that interesting, but they do prove context for the song selection. Probably the weakest thing about the film are The Band's performances on Scorsese's sound stages. These numbers lack the intensity that the Band gives in their concert performances. The Band themselves are awesome in their own concert numbers, rivaling the cuts on Rock of Ages. Since they are so many guests, the film limits the amount of the Band's performances. The guests are stellar with the highlights being: Joni Mitchell's Coyote, Neil Young doing Helpless, Dylan with Baby Let Me Follow You Down, and a show stopping Caravan with Van Morrison. Only Neil Diamond strikes a sour note. Even the guest stars pale to the Band's own numbers especially with Robbie's firey guitar work that night. The Last Waltz a piece of history, an amazing concert, and a brilliant send off for an era of great music. Image: 1:85:1 picture looks great, good detail and sharpness. Compare with the trailer and be amazed. The print is very clean and few dirt specks appear even in dark areas. Sound: as it should be is excellent, I listened to the 2 Channel and it rocked. 5.1 also included, but sounds weaker on two speaker setups. Extras: commentary with Robbie and Marty is Robbie dominated and is rather dull. A documentary is included that focuses on them and I would reccomend it instead. The second track is a wonderful commentary from a variety of sources. It is structured and edited into a form that resembles that of the interview segements in the film. Scoreses' crew, rock critics, and Dr. John, The Hawk, Garth, and Levon take turns telling behind the scenes stories. It has a wonderful introduction that prepares you for true tales and tall that you are about to hear. It's worth it alone for The Hawk's background story on the Band and anything Dr. John says is brilliant and a hoot. Well worth a listen. There is an interesting ten minute jam session at the concert with the amazing lineup of Young, Starr, Wood, John, Garth, and Levon. Also included is a photo gallery and trailer. Presentation overshadows music I must say I'm not a huge fan of The Band, but I like "Before the Flood". However, I was amazed at how poorly The Band played, and sang even worse, in this, their farewell concert. It is hard to believe they had played together for 17 years. Even the guests, such as Bob Dylan, seemed to use their worst voice. Only Eric Clapton was really any good, though Van Morrison was acceptable. Otherwise, fairly embarrassing musical performances. At the end, *everybody* is onstage singing "I Shall Be Released" - killing an otherwise nice song. Obviously Scorsese got all the good film people and photographers to work on the project, and it was well done. So well done that the presentation outshines the music. There are some nice extras, including multiple commentaries. Hard to recommend it unless you are truly a Band fan. Buy The Last Waltz at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Last Waltz Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Last Waltz This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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