Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson & The Band

Robbie tells a good story, and by piecing old interviews from former band mates he supports his narrative.

Loved the old footage of the Band.

But the story in this film is not complete; what about how he sneakily got their publishing rights, and created a chasm between his "brothers"?

This is a piece of the puzzle, of the Band. But it's no way THE story. There's a lot more to their story. I'd love to know what Garth had to say about this film. Bob Dylan himself had no interest in being involved present day.

Robbie had talent. But to claim he wrote the Bands music and lyrics all by himself is bananas. Only reinforced by the fact he still claims the band ended when he left. Do your research viewer, the Band didn't die when he left. They played for years together after. Why does he ignore this? Doesn't fit his narrative...

This isn't a film about the Band as much as it is a film about Robbie and what he wants people to believe about the Band. Too bad. We needed a full doc.

"Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson And The Band" invites you to sit back and relax, while Robbie Robertson and other music royalty dive into the mystical journey of a great rock band. . In this documentary, singer/songwriter Robbie Robertson tells the candid story about the creation of one of the most enduring bands in the history of popular music, The Band. . There's something about The Band that always draws me in. Maybe it's the music, maybe it's their short lived musical journey, maybe it's how mysterious they seemed, but one thing is for sure is that not all bands have withstood what these guys have been through. Seeing Robertson tell personal stories about himself and the band is ultimately gratifying. I still think that Scorsese's "The Last Waltz" is the ultimate music doc and concert but this doc is a solid full framed story about these incredible musicians. The final moments of this film are nothing short of heart-wrenching and beautiful. Fans of music and The Band will enjoy this ride. . Follow @snobmedia for more reviews!

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.

"I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' 'bout half-past dead." The Band's The Weight featuring Levon Helm

With that song, the world of mid-century America became aware of a new sound, Americana: a country rock with soul and surpassingly genial musicians. Daniel Roher's Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band is a memorable documentary as well as a most engaging history of the colorful era of '60's and '70's rock, where loud, sensual music eclipsed any other form in previous cultural changes.

With the producing guidance of Martin Scorsese, who helmed The Last Waltz about the Band's final concert, Robbie Robertson, guitarist and songwriter, guides us through his teen years and hookup with musicians who themselves would hook up with Bob Dylan, to help him tour to the boos of audiences that just didn't get the electric guitar: Dylan exclaims, "They were gallant knights for standing behind me."

Deftly carrying us through photo album pics and original music, this remarkable doc makes it feel like we are there, reliving the charismatic troupe's glory days and eventually its struggle with drugs. As Robbie says, "It was so beautiful, it went up in flames."

However, it's a story well told, even down to the homely shots of Robbie courting Dominique and their eventually blissful marriage.

Heroin emerges (as it frequently seems to do) with devastating effect on the gifted Levon. Through it all, Robbie lets us know how much he loved this brotherhood, and we see the contribution he continues to make to the welfare of music and people.

We have been blessed in the last few years with outstanding films about music-let Once were Brothers be at the top of the list: It was "a sound you've never heard before, but like they've always been here." Bruce Springsteen

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."