One of the strongest elements of Martin Scorsese’s current epic Killers of the Flower Moon is the intense, bluesy, pulsating music by Robbie Robertson. The movie is dedicated to Robertson, who died this year at 80 years old, and who worked on the scores of many other Scorsese pictures.
But no tribute to Robertson could be as monumental, or as enjoyable, as a viewing of The Last Waltz. Fathom Events sponsors 45th anniversary screenings of Scorsese’s essential 1978 concert film for The Band throughout the Valley this Sunday, November 5 at several AMC theaters and at The Majestic Chandler 9. If you’ve never seen it, or even if you have, you’re advised not to miss the chance to see it on a big screen. It’s the only serious competition to Jonathan Demme’s 1984 Stop Making Sense as the greatest rock concert movie ever.
A folk-rock combo of Canadians Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel and American Levon Helm, The Band had played together under one name or another, supporting Ronnie Hawkins and later Bob Dylan, since the late 1950s, and under their own generic moniker since 1968. Scorsese’s film chronicles their farewell concert, on November 25, 1976, in San Francisco.
Scorsese interspersed the concert footage with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. But the core of the film is the show, in which The Band was joined by a once-in-a-lifetime roster of guest stars: Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, Neil Diamond and other giants. There’s also a sublime version of the group’s masterpiece “The Weight,” filmed separately of the concert and featuring The Staples Singers; it may be the best thing in the movie.
Tickets are $13.54. For tickets and details go to fathomevents.com.
