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Last Waltz, The (re-release)

EMAILPRINTMGM / UA

Last Waltz, The (re-release) reviews
88
9.3 User Score:

Movie Info

Genre(s): Musical

Written by:

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date:
Theatrical: April 5, 2002
DVD: May 7, 2002

Running Time: 117 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: Not Rated

Starring Robbie Robertson, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ron Wood, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell

A re-release of Martin Scorsese's 1978 documentary of The Band's farewell concert.

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

New York Magazine Peter Rainer

No other concert film has ever expressed so fervently the erotic root of rock. Seeing it is the opposite of taking a trip down memory lane; it's more like a plunge into the belly of the beast.

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100

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

Soars on its purity of form, subdued elegance and tidy professionalism.

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100

Washington Post Richard Harrington

Is "The Last Waltz" the greatest rock movie of all time? It makes its case persuasively in a restoration overseen by director Martin Scorsese and producer Robbie Robertson that's been released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the concert it made famous.

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100

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

The greatest rock concert movie ever made -- and maybe the best rock movie, period.

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100

Variety Staff (Not Credited)

An outstanding rock documentary.

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100

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

It's never been topped.

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100

The New York Times A.O. Scott

There are few concert movies that were filmed were such abiding feeling and respect. It's of a potent vintage that goes down deceptively smoother with age.

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100

Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey

One of the rare rock films that produces the effect of a live concert: After each number, the audience erupts into applause.

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80

LA Weekly Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

To see the film in this meticulously restored and remixed version is like watching it for the first time, so clear is the sound, so vivid the sights.

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80

TV Guide Staff (not credited)

From a technical perspective, it's undoubtedly the most impressive and authentic concert film ever made.

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80

New Times (L.A.) Robert Wilonsky

Scorsese's rockudrama withstands big-screen scrutiny some 24 years after its initial release.

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75

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The music probably sounds fine on a CD. Certainly it is well-rehearsed. But the overall sense of the film is of good riddance to a bad time.

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70

Chicago Reader Dave Kehr

Despite Scorsese's efforts, there just isn't much to look at, and the film plays less like a movie than an illustrated record album.

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50

Village Voice Josh Goldfein

Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz proves Andrew's point by gathering so much talent into one theater that the stage buckles and the subject drops out of sight.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jim D. gave it a4:
Everybody ought to read Levon Helm's book, "This Wheel's On Fire" before they render their judgments. The movie's a fraud and it, Marty Scorcese and Robbie Robertson ought to be tarred and feathered out of the same pot.

M M. gave it a10:
The Last Waltz transcends its genre AND transcends its medium -- it is, simply, a remarkable work that succeeds both as Art and as Fun. My favorite moment: Look into Neil Young's eyes at he sings "Helpless" (harder than it sounds, given the jaw-dropping beauty and intensity of his performance). The whitewalls around his nostrils may have been edited out, but the manic, cocaine-fueled thousand-yard stare remains for posterity to enjoy. And as a bonus, you understand why Neil scared the living bejeebus out of Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, and the rest of the "Canyon Rock" royalty when he so famously threatened, in song, to "kill them in their cars." God bless him :-)

Tam gave it a10:
I've never seen any other concert video even come close to this. They have captured a piece of what I can only imagine attending one of their shows would've been like.

Matthew W. gave it a10:
Simply the best rock-u-mentry I have ever seen!

Etan C. gave it a10:
Greatest concert film ever created. A true masterpiece

Gary K. gave it a10:
Great memories, two thumbs up.

Brian H gave it a10:
TWO THUMBS UP!

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