Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson & The Band

Before even commenting on the film, which I had the pleasure to see during the TIFF opening night showing, one needs to address the controversy that precludes it. The feud between Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson, and the sides many fans fall into, paints the film into a corner. It constantly dances around the bitter aspects of their relationship, portraying Robbie as saddened by the visceral animosity directed at him. Yes, the movie is based on Robbie's book, and Levon can no longer refute the claims made, but perhaps it is time to give Robbie a chance to explain his perspective. There was no way an autobiographical film would display the conflict in an unbiased and fair manner, since that is not what the film is about. It is about Robbie and his journey with The Band, their rise and dissolution as seen through his eyes, and his final reminiscence on a time when he truly was part of a brotherhood that he lost. Robbie is never critical of Levon, perhaps even sympathetic, but his pain does feel real. The story is emotional and endearing, supported by the multitude of supporting voices including Ronnie Hawkins (who steals the show!), Bruce Springsteen, Martin Scorcese, and managers, friends, and family who knew The Band the best.

Beyond the story as told by the many participants lending their reflections to this doc, I must say that the filmmaking is quite well done. Daniel Roher weaves a film with archival footage, testimonials, and the legendary music into something that is exciting to watch for any fan of The Band. It is emotionally touching, funny, insightful, and ultimately a great tribute. Yes it is Robbie's portrait of The Band, but it nevertheless faithfully chronicles a musical force that would influence generations to come.

I love the history and the old footage of one of my favorite groups, both the concert films and the personal shots, but this documentary is horribly biased toward Robbie Robertson, while three people who might tell a different tale are dead. In particular, Robbie says that after The Last Waltz, "everybody just forgot to come back." This ignores the fact that he declared the group done, without asking the other four members, and ignores the fact that they went on to record multiple albums without him. Again, I'm glad this film exists, but I worry that anyone would consider it to be the complete story.

Greetings again from the darkness. Based on Robbie Robertson's "Testimony: A Memoir", documentarian Daniel Roher's film is understandably told from the lead guitarist's point of view, and in fact, Mr. Robertson spends a good deal of time recollecting directly to the camera. For those familiar with the acrimonious-filled history since The Band split in 1976, you won't be surprised that Robertson's recounting of events varies greatly from those in the 1993 memoir of his former friend and bandmate in "This Wheel's on Fire - Levon Helm and the Story of the Band."

Mr. Robertson is now 76 years old, and in addition to his guitar skills, he has always been an articulate speaker, and one who comes across as prideful and mostly sincere. These days he is one of only 2 band member still living, and the other (Garth Hudson) has nothing to say publicly about The Band or its members. This is one man's version of reality, and from a perspective of music history, it's quite interesting and entertaining.

"The Band was greater than the sum of their parts", says Bruce Springsteen, in one of many interviews used for the film - including Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, George Harrison, Peter Gabriel, David Geffen, Martin Scorsese, and "Rolling Stone" magazine founder Jann Wenner. Some of the initial interview clips play over an opening live performance of "Up on Cripple Creek", including Clapton stating he was "in awe of their brotherhood." The film then traces the timeline and early years as the pieces of the band came together ... much of it centered around Ronnie Hawkins, who is not only the most insightful of those interviewed, but also the most colorful. We learn that Robertson was writing songs at age 15, and that it was meeting Bob Dylan that changed everything.

A substantial portion of the film deals with those early years, and the tales of being booed by audiences as they backed the newly "electric" Dylan are especially fascinating. In 1967 when The Band moved to the pink house in Woodstock, communal living led to artistic and creative productivity, including The Band's masterpiece album, "Music from Big Pink" (1968). There are some terrific old photos included here which give us a feel for the times, and the aforementioned 'brotherhood' of this band that seemed more tightly connected than most.

Of course, it was the late 1960's and heavy drinking and drug usage took its toll, and The Band began to unravel. In 1976, 34 year old Martin Scorsese was brought on to direct a documentary of The Band's final performance. THE LAST WALTZ was released in 1978 and included electrifying live performances from some of the all-time greats: Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan, to name a few. The concert was held at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, which would later close after a 1979 New Year's Day marathon concert by The Grateful Dead. Scorsese's film included interviews with the band members, but it was his unique and varied camera placements that brought the stage show to life.

Director Roher's producers on this film include Scorsese, Ron Howard, and Brian Glazer. While it is often the story of Robbie Robertson's personal journey, it also serves as his perspective on The Band - a group of musicians who were right in the middle of things as popular music evolved. Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko have passed away, and reclusive Garth Hudson refuses to re-live the past, so it's Robertson who tells their story, and his. We do get to see The Band perform "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", and most fittingly, "I Shall Be Released", but if it's the music that most interests you, track down and experience THE LAST WALTZ. It was the final time THE BAND performed all together on stage, and as Robertson says, "everybody just forgot to come back."

Robbie Robertson does a wonderful job taking us down the initial primrose path of the music of The Band, bluntly, honestly, with with compassion, up to the time when hard drugs changed two of the five.

I can vividly remember getting the 'brown' album, which I still have, and being blown away by what I thought were former Confederate soldiers (which they resembled on the cover, old Civil War photos come to life). The music, vocals, and lyrics were indelibly fixed in my mind and I played the album for days even up to today. I played the tape out in my car (perfect driving music). 'Once Were Brothers' is music history iwell thought out and told by Robertson with archival footage of the other members and guest historians (Ronnie Hawkins, their road manager, Clapton, Van Morrison, etc.). Lots of stuff here that I didn't know. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, and the doc prompted me to get out my Band LPs and CDS for a nice listen.

If you are a fan or even new to The Band you shouldn't be disappointed in this film. Just take a trip back and enjoy the scenery.

This writer grew up with this music, so I must be biased. When I was living a few miles from the Big Pink house, neither I or any of my friends had any idea who they were and what was going on. That is the reason that this film seems like such a revelation. It opens the door to the real feel of where the magical music came from, and why it seems so strong today. This is film is a joy from first to last frame, and has a simply amazing rhythm and poetry. It is a story of love, destruction, creation and the ecstasy around one of the truly great pop bands. It is true that the POV is from Robbie, but since he is one of only two survivors, that issue is irrelevant. What we see is what they saw. And the feeling runs through us with the same joy and excitement they felt playing right to the last notes of the last show. What a beautiful trip it was.