Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1872 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-10-14
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Danish, Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 112 minutes

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
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. They include Bob Dylan, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Paul Butterfield, Ronnie Hawkins, and the Staples. 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.

Customer Reviews

What a Show!
What can I say really. Mix together the most talented musicians of their time along with the most talented film maker of the time and you get The Last Waltz.
The Band are at their best here and the special guests only enhance the spectacular talent of these guys. Everywhere the guests are outshone by Robbie and the boys, however Van Morrison's performance is amazing by any standard and even the Band themselves look at him in awe.
The special features are interesting. Interviews with Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson are a good insight into how a farewell concert became a piece of musical history. There is also a well stocked photo gallery, commentary by the film maker and musician and a short jamming session by some of the guests. This is a must have for every DVD collection. Buy it, keep it, show it to your kids and make sure you follow the instructions: THIS FILM SHOULD BE PLAYED LOUD.

The definitive rock concert film
One of the great rock concerts of all time.... The Band at their best with an extraordinary list of guest musicians including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Ronnie Hawkins, Van Morrison, etc..... and, strangely, Neil Diamond (the first time I have enjoyed his music).
All arranged and played superbly, not the usual chaos of some many "great" concerts. (Or did Scorcese spare us the chaotic bits?!)
The songs are interspersed with interviews etc. which for me enhanced the concert, though I guess they would be a nuisance if you sometimes want to use the DVD as a CD and just listen to the music.
Very well filmed by Martin Scorcese who manages to bring out the best in the music without getting in its way. The interview with him on the making of the film is good stuff.
Highly recommended.
(PS I have a USA version, but I assume the British one will be the same)

Probably the best concert movie of all time.....although Levon would not agree
You don't have to be a committed fan of The Band to appreciate and enjoy this DVD. It is obvious from the start that this was a VERY special concert, and that Martin Scorcese rose to the occasion by creating a VERY special movie of the event. Above all what comes through is this consumate film-makers evident desire to capture not just the spectacle of a live concert, but something of the way musicians of such calibre as The Band and their guests work together on stage. The eye contact, the nods and grins (and the odd puzzled look - what is Dylan going to play next?) place you right up there, feeling every moment. Among many special touches: Robbie Roberston kicking effortlessly into an impromptu guitar solo when Eric Clapton's guitar strap comes undone...Neil Young cracking up without missing a note when Rick Danko gazes skywards to see the "big birds flying in the sky" on "Helpless"...Ronnie Hawkins fanning Robbie's blazing guitar with his cowboy hat...Muddy Waters' towering performance of "Mannish Boy"..the whole thing is just brilliant.
Having just read Levon Helm's remarkable autobiography "This Wheel's on Fire" (some years after submitting this review),I'm compelled to see this movie in a slightly different light...it still is a great concert movie but read Levon's excellent book to see what I mean.