Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and other rock legends.
It's arguably the most beautiful of rock movies, while the musical highlights - 'The Weight' with the Staples Singers, Van Morrison's firebolt 'Caravan', every Levon Helm vocal - still astound.
– Tom Huddleston,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
rotten:
There is a dazzling array of talent on display here, and the film surely has its memorable moments. But it articulates so little of the end-of-an-era feeling it hints at.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
The greatest rock concert movie ever made -- and maybe the best rock movie, period.
– Michael Wilmington,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jul 2002
fresh:
The Last Waltz is our best insight to a moment when the giants of the previous decade raged against time, in the shadow of an age that changed them all inalterably.