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Wattstax (re-released)
Wattstax (re-released) Image
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: This documentary contains selections from a non-stop 7-hour musical event celebrating the seventh annual Watts Summer Festival, held at the Los Angeles Coliseum on August 20, 1972.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Bill White
    100
    Commentary from shockingly outspoken Watts residents on topics ranging from revolution to infidelity are a vital part of the documentary.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    90
    A candid, colorful and deeply meaningful sociocultural time capsule, one that captured the black community at the height of its political energy and optimism.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    90
    The result is a time capsule par excellence...This is the best of times and the worst of times, African American style.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. [Anonymous]
    6
    Too many musical performances chopped in half, too much street talk, interspersed by early Richard Prior comedy made it worth the price of admission. Musically disappointing because of lack of full performances, eg: Albert King was alloted about 60 secs. live footage while Little Milton's primitive (which wasn't even performed at Wattstax at all) music video was nice for the first minute but we didn't need all 4 minutes of it. Film is kind of a frustrating hodgepodge to sit through, although the sound quality overall is excellent and perfectly synchronized.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. [Anonymous]
    6
    Too many musical performances chopped in half, too much street talk, interspersed by early Richard Prior comedy made it worth the price of admission. Musically disappointing because of lack of full performances, eg: Albert King was alloted about 60 secs. live footage while Little Milton's primitive (which wasn't even performed at Wattstax at all) music video was nice for the first minute but we didn't need all 4 minutes of it. Film is kind of a frustrating hodgepodge to sit through, although the sound quality overall is excellent and perfectly synchronized.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 6 User Reviews