The Last Waltz (1978). Photofest.
(Martin Scorsese, US 1978, 117 min., 35mm)
On Thanksgiving Day, 1976, five thousand cheering fans came to see the famed rock group the Band give their momentous farewell performance at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. Under the directorial genius of Martin Scorsese, each shot was planned to correspond to the lyrics and chord changes of each song. The film features candid interviews and stirring performances from a star-studded lineup, as the Band shares the stage with a host of fellow legends such as Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, and Bob Dylan. One of the greatest of rock 'n' roll documentaries, The Last Waltz combines both intelligent filmmaking and legendary moments in music history.