Wattstax
Seen it?1973 | 98 min | Music, Documentary
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious. If you loved Dreamgirls or The Last Waltz, start here.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 38 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Made in 1973: an older pace and style.
A documentary film about the Afro-American Woodstock concert held in Los Angeles seven years after the Watts riots. Director Mel Stuart mixes footage from the concert with footage of the living conditions in the current-day Watts neighborhood.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 26K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Dreamgirls Saturday SpecialAnother musical music film, and a Saturday Special.
The Last Waltz Saturday SpecialAnother documentary.
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The Greatest Night in Pop Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Gimme Shelter Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Mel Stuart
- Richard PryorSelf
- Rufus ThomasSelf
- Isaac HayesSelf
- Melvin Van PeeblesSelf
- Kim Weston
- William Bell
- Albert KingSelf
- Eddie FloydSelf
- Little Milton
- Carla Thomas