Review of Woodstock (1970) by Adrian B — 17 Oct 2013

Someone or a whole bunch someone's had the brilliant idea in 1969 of taking a bunch cameras into Bethel, New York to chronicle a possibly legendary venue at the time. Who knew what an influence this event would have on history? Basically, the film is split into subject areas.

First, it shows the performances of some of the most famous rock/folk groups and singers of the time, including Joan Baez, Jefferson Airplane, John Sebastian (no Lovin' Spoonful), The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and of course, Jimi Hendrix.

The other side of the film is shows the people that attended, how they relax, engage in narcotics, exemplify the hippie movement, and altogether, have fun. Often a unique camera setup within the documentary which splits the screen into two, showing one activity from either two perspectives or two different things.

Somehow, neither interrupt one another and the successfully coincide. Some scenes will make you wince, but that is part of the overall effect of the documentary. It is such a substantial film that it must be seen by those who attend music festivals of any top (and of course all other movie viewers).

This event helped spawn additional events of the same type, throughout North America and the rest of world. Even though the music isn't style, it is tremendously compelling.