The Last Waltz—Martin Scorsese’s iconic documentary capturing the Band’s 1976 farewell concert—is getting an official Criterion Collection release. Scorsese’s 1978 film will tout 4K digital restoration, audio commentary versions from Martin Scorsese, Robbie Robertson, and Mavis Staples, and others, a new interview with Scorsese conducted by critic David Fear, outtakes, and more. It will be available on Blu-Ray and 4K UHD starting March 29, 2022.
The Last Waltz was filmed at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving, 1976. Scorsese approached the evening with a fleet of seven camera operators, who captured legendary performances by Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, the Staple Singers, Muddy Waters, and Neil Young, in addition to the Band’s goodbye concert.
Other features of the Criterion release include a 1978 interview with Scorsese and Robertson, a 2002 making-of documentary about The Last Waltz, and an essay by New Yorker writer and Pitchfork contributor Amanda Petrusich.
Revisit “The Band Before They Were The Band: A Listening Guide” on the Pitch.
