What’s in store to please both movie buffs and music enthusiasts alike? Martin Scorsese’s classic concert film “The Last Waltz” is overdue for a 4K restoration and limited theatrical re-release. Upon its release in 1978, “The Last Waltz” was a cinematic documentation of the farewell concert for The Band, which took place on Thanksgiving Day 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.
This is, in effect, probably one of the greatest concert films ever produced—likely to include a milestone in rock history and some of the most legendary performances from that era. This 4K restoration is sure to raise the level of visuals and audio in this film, with bright concert footage and essential mastery from Scorsese. Viewers are in store for crisper images, warmer colors, and more engaging sound, which will altogether make the experience much more potent. Scorsese himself supervised the restoration, ensuring that the spirit, art, and soul were all there while being enriched with the best of modern digital restoration techniques.
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“The Last Waltz” is a star-studded affair with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and Muddy Waters—but just to name a few. Interspersed with the concert performance of The Band’s last performance, the film tells the story of how it came to an end—a glorious career streaked with deep friendship and genius music. With Scorsese’s deft storytelling and raw, unfiltered performances, “The Last Waltz” reaches a level far removed from your usual concert film—a deeply moving and timeless work of art. The re-release is timed for the anniversary date of the film and will include special screenings in select theaters across the country. Not only will it be released in theaters, but also on special edition Blu-ray and digital, with bonus features including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the artists, and Scorsese’s commentary.
These extras will enable fans to engage themselves even more in the making of the film and its prolonged resonance in the music and film industries. This restoration and re-release come at the right time when interest in concert films and music documentaries seems to be rekindled through recent successes like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman.” Interest in musical storytelling once again reaches a burning passion in audiences. “The Last Waltz” was a benchmark for this kind of film; it continues to be so upon its return to theaters.
