Rating of
3.5/4
Epic Documentary of an Epic Event
Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/12/09
Having just watched the new extended cut in Blu-Ray, I must say that besides actually attending Woodstock, it felt like I could have been there. The performances are stunning (Hendrix, Joplin, The Who, Santana, Country Joe - the list goes on) and the intimate look at various people - from a port-o-san cleaner to uninhibited skinny dippers, is both amusing and, yes, even thought-provoking.
There will never be another event like Woodstock. It has tried to be emulated and failed (for a comparison, watch Woodstock then watch Gimme Shelter) - this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime happening. Even though there was a lot of chaos, drugs, rain, mud, lack of food and medical staff - the 500,000 plus crowd never got out of hand. And luckily there was a film crew there to document it all - 120 hours of footage was shot in all - meaning that hopefully future generations can see that we can all get along, under the right circumstances.
This isn't the most polished documentary, but that's not the point. It captures a moment in time so perfectly that you can forgive its faults. If you're any fan at all of music or the 60s generation this is a must-see film.
Recent Comments
mpol - wrote on 07/04/12 at 04:48 AM CT
Woodstock Review comment
I guess it's to each their own, but I felt that it was overrated, and presented a falsely positive impression of that particular time, generally. Sure, there were lots of good things that happened during that era, but a lot of bad happened along with the good, as well. It was not a totally honest portrayal, unlike "Gimme Shelter", for example, which gave a much more accurate, and more rounded out appraisal of what really and truly went on at many, if not most rock concerts.
