- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Year: 1978
- Cast: Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young
Here is a near-perfect rockumentary directed by Martin Scorsese (arguably better accomplished than that peak-of-an-era concert film Woodstock, 1970—which also involved Scorsese). The event filmed here is primarily the last concert of The Band but with guest artistes Joni Mitchell (with whom just about everybody who could hold a guitar and sing in the seventies was in love), Dr John, the gravelly Muddy Waters, the laconic squeaks of Van Morrison, the eminently guestable Eric Clapton and Neil Young, the gracious presence of Neil Diamond and Emmylou Harris, even Ringo Starr, Paul Butterfield, Ron Wood and Bob Dylan...a rainbow concert, if any (if speaking in charitable terms is allowed in the insurrectionary world of rock ’n roll)! The actual performances, filmed with multi-camera setup, intercut with interviews with members of The Band, captures the nostalgic spirit and witty patois of these wounded rock-soldiers in the post-hippie decade. Despite the flamboyance and charm of star guitarist Robbie Robertson, there is a palpable sadness and poignancy that captures the end of an era like few documentaries have managed. The music is still divine.
