Criterion Reflections – Episode 144 – Mel Stuart’s Wattstax

David is joined by Richard Doyle and first-time guest James Merritt to talk about this engaging concert/documentary featuring Isaac Hayes, Richard Pryor, The Staples Singers, and an all-star cast of Black musical artists that performed at the LA Coliseum in August 1972.

Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by guests Richard Doyle and James Merritt to discuss Wattstax, directed by Mel Stuart. In 2022, the film streamed on the Criterion Channel in a limited engagement and is currently available on DVD through Warner Archive and numerous streaming services.

Wikipedia
Letterboxd
JustWatch
Directors Guild of America
International Documentary Association
The Guardian (obituary)

WATTSTAX

Wikipedia
Letterboxd
Los Angeles Times (1973)
New York Times (1973)
AV Club
DVD Talk
Every 70s Movie
The Guardian
MonsterMovieMusic
New Directions in Music
Panorama of the Mountains
Public Transportation Snob
Shameless Self Expression
The Spinning Image
Martin Teller
Shaun Watson

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Criterion Reflections blog (1922 – 1967)
Criterion Reflections columns on CriterionCast (1968)
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A Journey Through the Eclipse Series

CONTACT:

David Blakeslee [ TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd ]
Richard Doyle [ Letterboxd ]
James Merritt [ YouTube / Instagram / X ]