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!

I was in tears by the end of the show. I started out jaded. Thinking this is some Robbie puff piece...and it is. But so much more. It's a love letter to his friends.

"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

I love the history and the old footage of one of my favorite groups, both the concert films and the personal shots, but this documentary is horribly biased toward Robbie Robertson, while three people who might tell a different tale are dead. In particular, Robbie says that after The Last Waltz, "everybody just forgot to come back." This ignores the fact that he declared the group done, without asking the other four members, and ignores the fact that they went on to record multiple albums without him. Again, I'm glad this film exists, but I worry that anyone would consider it to be the complete story.