This by far has to be one of my all time favorites Whenever someone mentions Woodstock I'm going to throw this one in the mix.

Black people of america, I Love You

Conjugando imagens de um lendário festival da Stax com testemunhos espirituosos de afro-americanos em luta pela sua própria expressão, "Wattstax" é geralmente animado e interessante enquanto documento de um momento sociocultural decisivo dos anos 70. Mas é a actuação de Rufus Thomas que vence o filme e garante que pelo menos 10 dos seus minutos sejam inesquecíveis. Johnnie Taylor e Little Milton são também nomes a reter depois de ver "Wattstax".

The black "Woodstock".

i bought this at the stax museum as a souvenir. not the greatest concert movie ever but an amazing time capsule centered around the "stax woodstock" in 1972. the visuals are amazing. jesse jackson in a dashiki. rufus thomas in a pink leisure suit (shorts not pants). isaac hayes in a vest of gold chains. the bar-kays' white afro guy. also, if you ever listened to public enemy, you'll know know the source for a TON of samples they appropriated. check it out.

Watching this is like opening a wonderful, picturesque time capsule filled with the urban sights and sounds of the '70s. A must see for families to watch and discuss a time when people took pride in community before modern hip-hop stole hearts and minds.

Very interesting but patchy. Well worth checking out.

Add a reviewReleased in 1973,the classic documentary masterpiece was the Woodstock of Stax. Directed by Mel Stuart(of Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)this was a grand event which the climatic concert of the seventh annual Watts Summer Festival that was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum before an estimated crowd of 70,000 in the summer of 1972. This was also commemorating the 1965 Watts riots that engulf South Central Los Angeles. If you want to experience the Memphis sound that was Stax Records then you're in for a treat. Especially for those who saw this masterpiece concert film when it was in theatres in 1973. You have some of the biggest stars from Stax to perform on one awesome incredible show. You have some of the biggest stars ever former Motown great Kim Weston(who sings the black national anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing")to some of the great performers ever to come out of Stax Records... You have on one incredible show "The Emotions","The Staple Singers", "The Soul Children", "The Dramatics", "Johnnie Taylor", "Carla Thomas", "The Bar-Kays", "Luther Ingram",and featuring acts from Rufus Thomas(doing the Funky Chicken in front huge crowd of folks),and the incredible Issac Hayes(in gold chains attire singing some of his greatest hits). Also onboard this too was some of the social commentary of the times with everyday people talking about the struggles of the streets not to mention seeing the Rev. Jesse Jackson at his prime,and the classic comedy stylings of the legendary Richard Pryor. A Must See for those who love classic black cinema. ...

WATTSTAX reminds me of Les Blank/ALWAYS FOR PLEASURE in the editing and photography, which is gorgeous. Richard Pryor was a welcome surprise, and acts as the film's narrator. This is one film I am really looking forward to watching the director commentary.

GREAT film about the 7th watts summer festival - AMAZING music and performances - can't say that enough. loved the crowd shots and richard pryor scenes. fantastic all around!

I might have felt like the whitest girl alive while I was watching it, but it sure was entertaining. Even without great music (especially the Bar-Kays and Rufus Thomas), this movie would be fun; just to see the fabulous clothes and hair in the audience was a thrill. And you could take every single one of this year's American Idol contestants put together and they wouldn't have the charisma of Isaac Hayes' big toe.

A little bit of history and a whole lot of soul. Wattstax not only captures some fine performances by the superstars of Stax, but beautifully documents a rare and impassioned moment in time when music helped people to transcend their circumstances. It's also a mesmerising, beautiful and informed look at black American culture in the early 1970s. Dare you not to get up and dance!

As a documentary film, it's probably standard for it's time, but the content-the subject matter-the event itself-is priceless and unique, both as an extension of Black empowerment and as a cultural and promotional tool for Stax Records. The hair and dress styles are amazing. The Chuck D. commentary adds an excellent, modern perspective.

1973's "Wattstax" is not just one of the best music films, but it's one of my favorite films ever. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it. And if you can, make it a double-bill with "Soul Power".

One of my new favorite movies. Go see it.

This DVD is a must have!!!

A Classic, from the live performances, to interviews of people from that era talking about relevant issues, to Richard Pryor in between. This is a must see.

Isaac Hayes in that gold chain-link vest is worth 1.5 hours of angry, incoherent Richard Pryor rants. Great funk/blues soundtrack, and a stunning portrait of early 70s Black American outrage.

The Black Woodstock. Great documentary not only about the concert but a sociological view of the black's life in Watts, Los Angeles. In doc you can see some essential music of the Stax record company. Also jokes by Richard Pryor are sometimes funny! :)

This is some of the best footage you'll ever see of Rufus Thomas doing the Chicken Strut in a hot pink leisure suit. f'in amazing performances by some of the most influential soul artists of the early 70s. And hilarious yet pithy dialog and narration by Richard Pryor gives the documentary the proper historical context it deserves.