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

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writer:

Mardik Martin (treatment)
3 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
The Band ... Themselves
Rick Danko ... Self - Bass / Violin / Vocal
Levon Helm ... Self - Drums / Mandolin / Vocal
Garth Hudson ... Self - Organ / Accordion / Saxophone / Synthesizers
Richard Manuel ... Self - Piano / Keyboards / Drums / Vocal
Robbie Robertson ... Self - Guitar / Vocal
Eric Clapton ... Self - Performer
Neil Diamond ... Self - Performer
Bob Dylan ... Self - Performer
Joni Mitchell ... Self - Performer
Neil Young ... Self - Performer
Emmylou Harris ... Self - Performer
Ringo Starr ... Self - Performer
Paul Butterfield ... Self - Performer
Dr. John ... Self - Performer
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Storyline

Thanksgiving, 1976, San Francisco's Winterland: the Band performs its last concert after 16 years on the road. Some numbers they do alone, some songs include 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). Scorsese's camera explores the interactions onstage in the making of music. Offstage, he interviews the Band's five members, focusing on the nature of life on the road. The friendships, the harmonies, the hijinks, and the wear and tear add up to a last waltz. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

It Started as a Concert. It Became a Celebration. Now it's a Legend. [theatrical re-release] See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The concert was staged on November 25, 1976. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977. Therefore Robbie Robertson's comment "the road's taken some of the great ones", which ends by mentioning "Elvis" ... must have been added in a post-production interview at least nine months after the concert itself. See more »

Goofs

During Garth Hudson's solo in the song "Stagefright", the entire song cuts forward approximately 25 seconds. See more »

Quotes

Neil Young: I got it now, Robbie.
[singing]
Neil Young: There is a town in North Ontario, With dream comfort memory to spare, In my mind I still need a place to go, All my changes were there...
See more »

Crazy Credits

At the beginning of the film it just says: "THIS FILM SHOULD BE PLAYED LOUD!" See more »

Alternate Versions

The DVD features an outtake of the jam session onstage towards the end of the concert. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World (2017) See more »

Soundtracks

Caravan
Written by Van Morrison
Performed by Van Morrison with The Band
See more »

User Reviews

Out of the Shadow of Woodstock
2 November 2003 | by LeoneVsScorseseSee all my reviews

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.


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Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Middle English

Release Date:

26 April 1978 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Super Jam See more »

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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,151, 7 April 2002

Gross USA:

$322,313

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$340,687
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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