| Defining doc about a defining event Michael Wadleigh's classic Woodstock has finally been remastered - and Winnipeggers get the chance to see it on the big screen
A-
| WOODSTOCK
June 8, 7 p.m., SilverCity Polo?Park
It's been 40 years since one of the prime cultural events and musical celebrations of the 20th century occurred on a 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, N.Y. And yet Woodstock's impact lives on, through attempted modern incarnations (Woodstock '94 and '99) or variations that arguably wouldn't have existed without it (Lollapalooza, Coachella and other major rock festivals).
Even this year, director Ang Lee's taken a comic eye in his account of the man who, essentially, allowed the festival to happen. (That film, Taking Woodstock, opens in August.)
Although Michael Wadleigh's epic-sized documentary was issued on DVD in the late '90s, there were many outcries from consumers that the transfer looked about as poor as the VHS. Thankfully, Warner Bros. has taken the steps to remaster it in high-definition. To test it out, SilverCity Polo Park plans to screen the behemoth for one night only.
The financially disastrous festival may not have made money at the time, but the film and soundtrack became resoundingly successful. This is a time-capsule movie; to stare it down is to receive a unique glimpse into the different societal mindset of the time - and the drugs, free love, rock 'n' roll, and calls for revolutionary action that accompanied it.
It's difficult to pinpoint a favourite performer, but The Who (and Summertime Blues) and Ritchie Havens stand out as particular highlights, as does Jimi Hendrix, of course, with his electrically redefined Star Spangled Banner and searing reinterpretation of his own Purple Haze.
Another noteworthy performance is that of Arlo Guthrie, and his live version of Comin' in to Los Angeles.
The film was edited by, amongst others, Martin Scorsese and his future collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker. The two devised a way to include much more footage than what would otherwise be reasonable by using split-screens. Today, showing audience and musicians up onstage in the same image is standard-issue stuff, but back then it was simply an innovative way to incorporate more of the 120 miles of accumulated film.
Additionally, it was Scorsese?- later to helm his own concert film, The Last Waltz?- who came up with the idea to employ the bouncing ball over Country Joe McDonald's I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag.
Still, after watching this, it's kind of ironic that Woodstock became so famous when both the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and 1970's Isle of Wight event both offered better selections of artists, from Otis Redding to Bob Dylan.
— Aaron Graham |
Uptown
Magazine - Winnipeg's Online Source for Arts, Entertainment & News
