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The Last Waltz

  • 1978
  • PG
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
21K
YOUR RATING
The Last Waltz (1978)
special ed. dvd
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
41 Photos
ConcertMusic DocumentaryBiographyDocumentaryMusic

A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.

  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writer
    • Mardik Martin
  • Stars
    • Robbie Robertson
    • Muddy Waters
    • Neil Young
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Mardik Martin
    • Stars
      • Robbie Robertson
      • Muddy Waters
      • Neil Young
    • 147User reviews
    • 65Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Last Waltz
    Trailer 1:33
    The Last Waltz

    Photos41

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    Top cast39

    Edit
    Robbie Robertson
    Robbie Robertson
    • Self - Guitar-Vocal
    Muddy Waters
    Muddy Waters
    • Self - Performer
    Neil Young
    Neil Young
    • Self - Performer
    Van Morrison
    Van Morrison
    • Self - Performer
    The Band
    The Band
    • Themselves
    Rick Danko
    Rick Danko
    • Self - Bass-Violin-Vocal
    Levon Helm
    Levon Helm
    • Self - Drums-Mandolin-Vocal
    Garth Hudson
    Garth Hudson
    • Self - Organ-Accordion-Saxophone-Synthesizers
    Richard Manuel
    Richard Manuel
    • Self - Piano-Keyboards-Drums-Vocal
    Eric Clapton
    Eric Clapton
    • Self - Performer
    Neil Diamond
    Neil Diamond
    • Self - Performer
    Bob Dylan
    Bob Dylan
    • Self - Performer
    Joni Mitchell
    Joni Mitchell
    • Self - Performer
    Emmylou Harris
    Emmylou Harris
    • Self - Performer
    Ringo Starr
    Ringo Starr
    • Self - Performer
    Paul Butterfield
    Paul Butterfield
    • Self - Performer
    Dr. John
    Dr. John
    • Self - Performer
    Ronnie Hawkins
    Ronnie Hawkins
    • Self - Performer
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Mardik Martin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews147

    8.121.2K
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    Featured reviews

    10LJMTitle

    One of ulimate concert films of all time.

    You don't have to be a die-hard fan of The Band to appreciate this concert film. Martin Scorsese turns this farewell performance into a lasting tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time, and to many of their contemporaries as well. The guest performer list for this show reads like a veritable who's who of Rock and Roll history, with performances by Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, to name but a few. Even if you weren't born yet, or were too young to remember these artists in their heyday, this film will educate you as to what all the fuss was about. And believe me, the fuss was well deserved.
    LeoneVsScorsese

    Out of the Shadow of Woodstock

    Martin Scorsese's documentary has been labelled a time capsule of an era, and whilst this type of reference usually sounds overstated, there is no doubting the accomplishment of this film as an event. Many use the documentary 'Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace and Music' as the ultimate example of a music-doco, but whilst the music in The Last Waltz is actually on par with the great performances of Woodstock (bar Jimi Hendrix[there's no substitute]), the thing which elevates The Last Waltz is the photography.

    This was the first music doco to be shot on 35mm and watching the concert, you'd think that each performance was carefully choregraphed over a few weeks of shooting rather than over one night. Special thanks must be given to Cinematogrpaher Michael Chapman for his efforts on this film. The look of the film is what elevates it's overall appeal, because the music was always going to be epic, especially with the cavalcade of great names performing. This is just great filmmaking from contemporary cinema's most accomplished filmmaker. And how about that haunting theme that both starts and ends the film. Just great.
    catchick37

    Glare of the Spotlight

    This movie was only a name to me until I saw it last year. Immediately, I was riveted by everything about it. I've always been a casual fan of The Band, and of Levon Helm in particular. However, I'd never been bowled over by Bob Dylan, except as a songwriter, so much of The Band's work remained unknown to me as well. I wouldn't say I've become a rabid fan, but I am much more interested in their work, now.

    It's a Scorsese film--how could it not be beautifully photographed, but Scorsese managed a difficult feat: he keeps himself out of the movie, except as interviewer during those sequences. This is not really Scorese's vision of a rock concert. It happened mostly organically, certainly with mistakes, gaffes and grit. This is part of its charm.

    There are better singers than the guys in The Band, but few better musicians. This can be illustrated with Robbie Robertson in the Clapton song: Clapton's guitar strap comes off and Robertson, with one beat, picks right up on the solo. It looked planned, but wasn't. Joni Mitchell was notoriously hard to back up, due to her original guitar tuning, and ragged song phrasing, but bassist Rick Danko fills in every space with intricate bass figuring.

    Perhaps we have become too accustomed to the overwrought, over-hyped, overproduced, overexposed, shiny gack that passes for popular music to appreciate the raw, the imperfect, the sheer humanness of this music. Scorsese shows it all. The guys in The Band were largely worn out and sometimes strung out in the interviews. They are tired, scrawny, empty-eyed from the excesses of the road. Rick Danko is hovering on the ragged edge, as his band is dissolved, and he says his goal is to "keep busy." Richard Manuel looks lost as he says "I just want to break even." These are two musicians who desperately needed the music, but who were murdered by the road. We see their bleak destinies in their eyes in this film.

    It is bittersweet certainly, but also a moment in time, crystallized into something great by the music, the love of friends, the willingness of the director to simply stand back and allow the music to happen. It also reminds us what good music used to sound like and makes me wish could exist again.
    9movibuf1962

    Take a load off, Annie.

    Either I'm getting older or the world's getting younger, but when a rock concert documentary film airs on TCM, there should be some sort of pause for a reality check. In a salute to WALTZ'S director Martin Scorsese, the film aired on TCM over the New Year's weekend. I hadn't seen it or thought about it in 25 years. And all I can say is that it hasn't lost any of its power. (And this from someone who's never been to a live rock concert.) The stars of the film- the all-purpose backup and touring band called 'The Band-' give a simple but enlightening insight to the mechanics of their 16 years on the road and how their Thanksgiving Day final concert in San Francisco turned into a revival-like celebration. Even though I grew up on jazz music more so than rock, I can fully appreciate The Band's intense, immense music background- influenced by everything from blues to country to folk music. As for the concert itself you have the likes of Neil Young, Ron Wood, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Dr. John (who gives a standout, honky-tonk performance of "Such A Night,") kickin' it on stage before it's all over. And if these live performances weren't enough, there are additional performances done on a sound stage with artists that weren't part of the live show woven into the 117-minute film: a fabulous folk/gospel jam session of the song "The Weight" teamed with the Staples Singers (lead by Mavis Staples, who sounds very Gladys Knight-like) and about thirty minutes later shifting gears into the lovely folk ballad "Evangeline," replete with fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitar from Emmylou Harris. Also cool is Muddy Waters bluesing on "Ain't that a Man," and the finale with all the artists of "I Shall Be Released." You just might be.
    pdg93

    Without doubt the best lineup for a free concert that also served turkey.

    If you, as a music lover, have ever wondered what it would be like to see a concert starring the very cream of the crop from the sixties and seventies, you have that opportunity now. Martin Scorcese has produced a film that should be mandatory viewing for anyone who calls themselves a rock lover. While all the performances are memorable, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and, of course, The Band are incredible. Beyond the music, the very premise of the concert is amazing: A big bang to end the era, thanksgiving dinner for thousands, a wicked lineup, great music and some really enlightening interviews. The Last Waltz is a must see if you are a fan of the rock&roll genre, as The Band and friends not only play their hearts out, but also pay tribute to the sound that we all know and love.

    Watch it, you won't regret the time spent.

    What Scorsese Film Ranks Highest on IMDb?

    What Scorsese Film Ranks Highest on IMDb?

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    Production art
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During his opening guitar solo in "Further On Up the Road", Eric Clapton's guitar strap came off. To compensate while he fixed it, Robbie Robertson spontaneously played a brief solo of his own.
    • Goofs
      During Garth Hudson's solo in the song "Stagefright", the entire song cuts forward approximately 25 seconds.
    • Quotes

      [Speaking about Ronnie Hawkins]

      Himself: He called me up, and I said, "Sure I'd like a job. What does it mean? What do I do?" And he said, "Well, son, you won't make much money, but you'll get more pussy than Frank Sinatra."

    • Crazy credits
      At the beginning of the film it just says: "THIS FILM SHOULD BE PLAYED LOUD!"
    • Alternate versions
      The DVD features an outtake of the jam session onstage towards the end of the concert.
    • Connections
      Edited into Once Were Brothers (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Who Do You Love
      Written by Bo Diddley

      Performed by Ronnie Hawkins with The Band

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Last Waltz?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 26, 1978 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Middle English
    • Also known as
      • El último rock
    • Filming locations
      • Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, USA(concert)
    • Production companies
      • FM Productions
      • Last Waltz Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $322,313
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,151
      • Apr 7, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $363,499
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo(original release)
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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