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Reviews
The Day the Clown Cried (1972)
Festival Showing? Let the public decide.
I think it's one of those films that should be shown to the public at a festival like Sundance or shown at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and then decide whether or not to release it, or made into an entirely new film.
The film was made in the early 70s at a time when the Holocaust was still in many people's minds and the subject still a very sensitive one to many people. In 2005, it would STILL be one of the most controversial films ever... I think that because the public has yet to judge the film is sad because it is of historic significance as well as an important film in Jerry's career, possibly the most important film of his career. Whether it is "good","bad" or "tacky" is irrelevant when the public can't judge for themselves.
The Last Waltz (1978)
The film that set the bar for concert films.
or what Martin Scorsese did on his Thanksgiving weekend.
It might strike some people as funny that Scorsese, known more for films like "Goodfellas", "Taxi Driver" and "Gangs of New York" to also be the director of a concert film, but he's also had roots in concert projects, 2 of which were "Elvis On Tour" and "Woodstock".
What's amazing is that he was able to throw this together in a short period of time, but was also able to plan far ahead enough to be able to have everything set up.
He keeps most of the focus on the stage with very little audience shots which would've dated the film significantly. All the performances are great, but the highlights are Joni singing backup for Neil Young, Van Morrison putting in a spirited performance, The Band and the Staples Singers doing an incredible "The Weight" and Bob Dylan coming out near the end to "bring it all back home". Their original mentor Ronnie Hawkins shows up to do a song with them, Dr. John gives his 'Nawlins flavor, Muddy Waters puts in a great performance, Ferlinghetti and McClure round it out with their poetry. A Beatle and a Stone also show up for the party...
In between some of the songs, The Band is interviewed by Scorsese about life on the road and why they decided to call it quits at that time.
The music is also available in a CD box set.