The Last Waltz [Blu-ray]
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Movie Reviews of The Last Waltz [Blu-ray]
Movie Review: This is a Blu-ray versus DVD review!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I suspect that many of you are trying to decide whether to upgrade from your DVD copy of this outrageously great concert/documentary film, as I was. I did, and I've just been watching my copies (BR and SE DVD) side-by-side, on a 50" 1080p plasma, listening through a high-end HT system, and here are my thoughts. (Note: DVD was being viewed on a player that does a fine job of upconverting, so your DVD experience could be different.) Audio: Contrary to a few reviews below, I think the uncompressed DTS HD 5.1 mix on the Blu-ray is far superior to the 5.1 on the DVD. !!Note: the BR disc defaults to the compressed 5.1 track!! Be aware that the BR does NOT have the 2.0 stereo (uncompressed PCM, I assume) track from the DVD, so if that's what you prefer, you don't want the BR. Video: I also disagree that the video is not improved. I think it is sharper (of course, some might say that's less film-like and not an improvement) and the colors are more saturated. However, it is not a dramatic improvement, and by itself wouldn't justify the purchase. In addition, I think the flaws (scratches and sparklies) present from the film used for the transfer are far more noticeable on the BR. That maybe makes me slightly prefer the DVD video. It would be great if Criterion or somebody would give this film the total restoration it deserves, fixing that as well as restoring what some reviewers here say is footage lost from the original theatrical release, which I never had the pleasure of seeing. Put the missing special features back in, and maybe even add cutting-room floor of all the missing songs. A new 40th anniversary special edition, please!! Special features: Missing from the BR are--a) band members/others commentary track (the Robertson/Scorsese track only is included), b) archival outtake of jam session, c) photo gallery & d) trailers. Verdict: worth purchasing BR for improved uncompressed 5.1 audio, but don't give away your SE DVD copy.
Now, a MESSAGE FOR AMAZON. I suspect the majority of us viewing Blu-ray reviews, especially of concerts and classic films, are trying to decide whether it is worth upgrading from our DVD. So Amazon, please give me reviews of the BLU-RAY VERSION ONLY!!!! Yes, I know the main purpose of a typical review is to discuss the content, but that ain't necessarily so on Blu-ray remasterings of older titles. And I can always go to the DVD and VHS reviews (which should also be separated from each other, btw) for additional info. Amazon, please at least give us a way to sort the reviews to filter out the non-Blu-ray reviews.
Movie Review: A Great Moment in Music History
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember when This first came out. I saw it in the Theatre and had it on tape and DVD before finally getting The Blu-Ray version. I love music deeply and I remember "The Band" and those early days of Rock and Roll. I have been in and out of Music myself and have some small appreciation of what it is to make music and what it is to have and run a band. This Movie is a wonderfull collection of roots music with some of the best talent in the world comming together to celebrate one of the most influential groups of the Era. The performances are stunning and the range of talent that came together for this "LAST WALTZ" is like a phone directory of Who's Who in the Music business. The filming and lighting and sound are fantastic. Even if you are not old enough to remember these guys and this type of music may not be your cup of tea I highly reccomend it anyway. You will get a sense of things from a unique perspective and a beautiful one at that. Also there are quite a few short interviews with some very interesting Tid bits about Music, the business, other musicians and various events that make this like a little biography complete with music and Video. Its a music lovers dream especially if you were alive back then.
This review is of The Blu-Ray version But if you dont have a Blu-Ray player I have owned The regular DVD version and it is of very good quality but The Blu-Ray is the best because Scorcesse recorded this on 35mm film which really makes a difference when you master a film to Blu-Ray.(they had originally planned to record the event on 16mm)
On a side note This film was done as a colaboration between Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorcesse. There are a lot of people who have a beef with this because some band members later on aired their dirty laundry after the film came out, But I think its totally irrelivent about the internal politics and personal rubs inside "The Band" itself. Anyone who has ever had a band will tell you that its like a family and Families usually have lots of quarrels and disagreements and do terrible things to each other behind closed doors. Also there is usually one person Who calls the shots. Bands are usually like that too. Robbie Robertson was the leader and owned most of the rights to the music. Thats why the documentary focuses on him more then the other memebers
(as you would expect ......if your sensible.)
Movie Review: No Music Library is Complete Without This!
Summary: 5 Stars
What an amazing documentary of one of the best jam sessions ever.
I saw this movie in a theater when it came out in the 70's, and I really knew nothing of The Band at the time. All I remembered was that the movie had left a great impression. So, on a lark some 30-years later, I picked up "The Last Waltz" on Blu-Ray. It is simply incredible.
The rendition of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is so emotionally rich. The twangy and soulful vocals and unreal snare drum touch of Levon Helm so effectively paints a sense of place and time in American history. It truly accomplishes the transcendant purpose of any great song: To transport the listener.
Bass player Rick Danko's coked-up vocals add a jagged edge to what would otherwise be an overly polished ensemble. If he were going solo it might not work, but within The Band it fits perfectly.
Other reviewers have complained about excessive Robbie Robertson screen time. Robertson was the principle song-writer, a lead vocalist, the guitarist, a frontman, and the "cute" one. Of course he gets screen time. Nothing seems foced or unnatural about Scorsese's editing.
The only portion of this DVD I tend to skip forward on is when Neil Diamond takes to the stage. For someone that has such a clear understanding of what good music is, as Neil Diamond obviously does, I have no idea why he chose such a crappy song...maybe it just went with the used car salesman suit he's wearing.
My lbrary of DVD music is filled with Led Zep, Rush, UFO, Pink Floyd, Yes, Peter Gabriel...and so on. But "The Last Waltz" is the one I play most. It makes me smile every time. :)
Movie Review: the band--always 5 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
this is short as others have reviewed the film well. i am somewhat prejudiced as the band is my favorite band of all time and i never tire of hearing them play.
the last waltz was a magical night and i'm glad scorcese took on the project. that being said, why in the world could this new blu ray transfer not include the unedited "it makes no difference"? having listened to it from my various last waltz CDs at least 1000 times, it's jarring when the film comes to the first edit and i have to mentally re-engage and remind myself that, "oh, yeah; this is where scorcese really screws it up." i simply cannot imagine why anyone thought 90 seconds would make a difference in the overall length of the film--but i cannot think of any other reason for the cut. it could not be that one of roberston's finest songs ever was thought to be too boring to go on for 6:30 or so. thankfully, it lives on forever, uncut, complete, and beautiful in the CD.
now, another thing: bill graham's "wolfgang's vault" on the internet has just released the raw audio of the entire concert to their website but when i say "raw", i mean "RAW". i was amazed at how much overdubbing and sweetening had to be done in the studio to clean it up and produce what we know today as "the last waltz".
one last thing: the blu ray version has an incredibly annoying "click" sound when you select any item in any sub-menu. like "swing-from-the-shower-curtain-after-hanging-yourself-with-your-necktie" annoying.
just so you know.
Movie Review: Greatest Concert Movie Ever Made, By Far!
Summary: 5 Stars
Saw the movie 3 consecutive weeks when it came out, wore out a VHS version, and even though I have the DVD wanted to see if the BluRay version is better, and it is. Scorsese's idea to film this concert using the best technology and craftsmen available at the time was about the best decision in the history of rock n roll. Not only is this the best rock movie, and by a wide margin, Van Morrison's Caravan is the best live rock performance ever filmed. I've watched it hundreds of times and it still amazes. Neil Young's Helpless is not too far behind either. I just wish they had left out Neil Diamond and put in the performance of Acadian Driftwood or the other song Van did (Tura Lura Lura) instead.