Martin Scorsese’s epic 1978 concert film of The Band’s last performance has certainly stood the test of time. It captures an unbelievable superstar lineup that featured guest artists from Ronnie Hawkins (their first boss, when they were The Hawks) to Bob Dylan (their last, when as his backup and as a solo group, they came into their own). Paul Butterfield, Bobby Charles, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, and Neil Young complete this ephemeral supergroup. Scorsese’s camera explores the interactions onstage and off, where he interviews The Band’s five members about the nature of life on the road. For legends Robbie Robertson (who died earlier this year), Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, the friendships, the harmonies, the hijinks, and the wear and tear all add up to one last waltz.
“No American movie this year has been as full of the “joy of making cinema” as Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz.” — Pauline Kael, The New Yorker
“Simply one of the best rock docs ever, born of equal parts thunder and fatigue.” — Peter Howell, The Toronto Star
Martin Scorsese
Mardik Martin
Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young
English, Middle English
United States