This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

This rock documentary chronicles the journey via train, of several famous rock bands performing throughout Canada, in the summer of 1970. Most of the acts aboard the Festival Express train, were legendary; The Grateful Dead, The Band, Janis Joplin, Buddy Guy, etc. The film emphasized the genuine camaraderie, between the bands as they travel on the train between performances. They were more like drinking buddies having the time of their lives together, than egocentric rock stars. Much jovial fun was had by them all, throughout their train trip together through Canada. The performances by the musicians, were exciting and energetic. Janis Joplin's performance, was especially powerful and electrifying. The Grateful Dead, led by a young Jerry Garcia, gave a sensational performance as well. The viewer can see why the Dead, were the reigning kings of psychedelic rock. Buddy Guy and his blues band, played with an absolute, ecstatic joyfulness.The overall tone of this film was uplifting, despite the troubles of the overextended promoters, and the scuffles between the Canadian police and the audiences, that took place at the concerts. There is a palpable sense of hippie idealism left over from the 60s, throughout this film. It was as if The Festival Express concerts, were truly the swan song of the 60s counterculture utopia, rather than Woodstock. This film is a must-see, for those who want to see some trailblazing rock musicians in action, and how they helped influence the 60s counterculture.

Let's see,I was 2 when all the events in this film went down. My older brother was 3 and oldest was almost 6. ....but! That in no way depletes how much we love this music & the time that it came from. In fact we've listened to the biggest of these acts since we were younger.As in most cases,I discovered this DVD gem at my local library and all I had to read on the back was Janis Joplin,Grateful Dead & The Band "live" and I had to see this. Last night (08/26/08) was the third time aboard for viewing.The performances by the headliners,as expected,are top notch and the lesser known Canadian acts here (from the DVD outtakes & extras)are interesting in their own way. Right now I have one their songs "Thirsty Boots" running in my head,a beautiful acoustic guitar ballad representative of the times.It's great to see The Band perform "The Wieght" after years of only hearing the studio version on the radio,as well as their version of Little Richard's " Slippin' & Slidin' ".The Grateful Dead are always good and for those of us not old enough then,it's kind of wild to see Jerry Garcia before the gray hair.Most incredible elements here are the cross country (Canada) train ride with these and other acts ,filmed for posterity & fun as well. The original "Party Train/Love Train". Seeing these folks jamming together (and other "activities" of the day) makes for a great window into the era. Present is Buddy Guy,Flying Burrito Brothers,Delany & Bonnie and others.The second and most significant element is Joplin herself. Her performances of "Tell Mama" & "Cry Baby" in the main movie are testament to her talent. She also has two more songs in the outtakes which are no less amazing.This was filmed exactly 3 months before her untimely passing at the age of 27. She performs last here on July 4th,1970 and in August she guested on The Dick Cavett Show....then was gone,on October 4th of a heroin overdose.In the ending credits,we hear the only "live" performance of "Me and Bobby McGee" before Joplin recorded it. We don't see her but it was recorded aboard the train while partying with the others. Otherwise,she never did get to perform it live in concert. The song hit #1 in early 1971,her second and only other top 40 hit.Overall,the fact that this entire collection sat on a shelf for 30 years makes it extra important that all this footage was finally "re-discovered" and given the royal treatment it deserves. Renewed through re-colorization and film cleaning techniques for DVD,it's great to see these former young dynamic artists looking so lively and fresh.Without any doubt,Ten stars! (END) Peace.

Before Jerry Garcia had an ice cream named after him, he played on the Festival Express. This event was captured on film and then the film sat in various garages over the years where it could age properly. Apparently the T Rex film "Born To Boogie" sat in Ringo's garage for many years before recently being restored, so one can only wonder what other visual rock and roll delights are resting in someone's car port waiting to be unfolded or re-unfolded to the public. I like rock docs from this era because rock music was at its creative peak and they actually shot the things on film (as God intended all things to be shot on). Festival Express has its musical moments -- my favorite is Buddy Guy's version of "Money" and his scorching guitar solo, but I wish there would have been some interviews with the fans at the concerts ala the "Woodstock" and "Isle Of Wight" films. Not that it isn't fun to watch Janis Joplin and company rock and roll all night and party every day while riding the rails across Canada, but when the express finally stops rolling the movie feels like a song that is a chord or two short of being a classic.

This movie is a keeper- Something to tuck away after a few fulfilling viewings, along with your used Dead tickets and faded dyes. A self proclaimed Deadhead, who really only caught the latter years of Jerry and the band..must admit, I was not even aware of this trek across Canada and the plethora of talent which it included. It's true, it is simply something which could nor would not take place today, and thank God that this rare and valuable footage was captured!The presentation of the trip including footage of 'partying' with both natural, and unnatural goods, and hence a couple of F bombs here and there, is excellent...very subtle with the focus more on the beauty of the gathering, and the snippets of the times, which led me to include my children in the second viewing- as I take every opportunity to teach them how it "was" as opposed to how it now "is"...music that lasts through generations simply does not exist today, and I wholeheartedly agree with the comments of the above review---who WOULD want to see a documentary of Spears or Simpson???? This movie was an opportunity to go back to the times which I've enjoyed the most, and a rare and special glimpse of timeless performers just being themselves.