RECOMMENDED: Concert Movie. “Woodstock.” The 1970 American documentary of the watershed counterculture Woodstock Music and Art Fair a.k.a. simply Woodstock Festival, which took place in August 15 to 18, 1969 on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel town in New York state. Directed by Michael Wadleigh, seven editors worked on this definitive project, including a 26-year old Martin Scorsese.
“Woodstock” since has gained a cult following among the hippie subculture and beyond. Thirty-two acts performed outdoors despite sporadic rain. Mud was all over, fun in peaceful chaos, kickass music. All in the seminal film that has since served as template for all live concert film coverage.
The original 1970 theatrical release of the film ran 185 minutes. A director's cut spanning 224 minutes was out in 1994; I have a DVD copy. Both cuts take liberties with the timeline of the festival. However, the opening and closing acts are the same in the film as they appeared on stage; Richie Havens opens the show and Jimi Hendrix closes it.
I also have the expanded 40th anniversary edition, released in 2009 (DVD formats), which features additional performances not before seen in the film, and also includes lengthened versions of existing performances featuring Creedence Clearwater Revival and others.
Although the event is widely regarded as an anti-war convergence, it wasn’t really political the way we regard “political” in these days of protest gatherings, music or whatever. “Woodstock” was more fiesta fun. I talked with some of those who were there—simply for the sheer love of music and connectedness. Such is the inspiration for my “Bonfires for Peace” community concerts. We just got together and played music for the people. All people.
My pick Woodstock performances, not in order: The Who (“We're Not Gonna Take It,” "See Me, Feel Me," “Summertime Blues”); Joe Cocker and the Grease Band (“With a Little Help from My Friends"); Country Joe and the Fish ("Rock and Soul Music"); Santana ("Soul Sacrifice"); Janis Joplin (“Work Me, Lord"); Jimi Hendrix ("Voodoo Chile,” “Purple Haze,” and "The Star-Spangled Banner"). 🎬🎭🎬
Visual: PBS.
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