Woodstock 1969

With last year's celebration of the 25th anniversary of Woodstock culminating in the much more controlled Woodstock `94, interest in the original--which may have been the biggest crashed party in American history--will ensure an audience for this documentary featuring the producers, a slew of concert (and audience clips, and a handful of interviews with musicians such as Richie Havens, Leslie West, and Arlo Guthrie. The first half of the program is relatively dull: does anyone really care about all the administrative details. The second half is much better with some good music clips, and a few interview jewels (a bank manager had to be woken up in the middle of the night to go get enough cash for The Who and The Grateful Dead who--atmosphere of peace, love, and understanding aside--refused to play until they were paid). The quality of the footage doesn't match that found in Michael Wadleigh's superior Woodstock (a must purchase which was recently re-released with additional footage at $24.98 from Warner Home Video; also available from Warner is Woodstock `94). Still, this is recommended, with reservations, as an at times insightful glimpse into a major cultural event. (R. Pitman)