Showing @ Filmhouse, Edinburgh, until Thu 15 Dec

Martin Scorsese / USA / 1978 / 117 mins

Martin Scorsese’s 1978 music doc shows us an age of culture and lifestyle through the power of Canadian blues-rock. Directed and filmed by Scorsese, his documentary shows the final concert of The Band, who toured and played throughout the 60s and 70s, while jumping into interviews with its members for a more detailed chat about life on the road.

Part documentary, part music recording, Scorsese’s glimpse into the end of an era is at times simply captivating as legendary guests from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton to Van Morrison and Muddy Waters make stage cameos throughout. The roots rock music gives the film its breaks from the static interview shots with the members, while simply providing a classically soulful, bluesy movie soundtrack. Peering through the cigarette smoke and stage lights, Scorsese’s camerawork affords enough close-up shots of the musicians in action to feel respectful of the talent but never intrusive on the gig itself. The film is as much a nostalgic, retrospective of The Band as it is a simple documentary; affection and admiration seem to fill the venue as the musicians all appreciate each other’s work and the time spent playing together. Scorsese reminds us of a generation of passionate, original songwriting while offering a look into the masterful world of successful artistry.

The Last Waltz is featuring at the Filmhouse, Edinburgh as it has been released as a digital restoration.