I've loved you ever since the day I saw you

I can't say I enjoyed every performance shown, but it's a treasure in its entirety. The film captures the moment between the 60s and 70s and reflects the awkwardness, innocence, brutality, and insecurity of the time. Showing people in such a raw state is always tricky and the film could be taken apart and criticized in various ways, but I think that would be missing the point.

I've long had a soft spot for Janis Joplin and to see her in absolute top form only a few months before her death was especially moving. I also gained new respect for Jerry Garcia; what a mensch! In Toronto, still young and beard jet black, taking charge during a riot and defusing the situation was impressive.

The film's saturated, grainy 16mm look is gorgeous and the sound is reasonably good given the vagaries of the production. The extra interview footage of the concert promoter on the second disc had me literally in tears laughing with disbelief at some of the more extreme aspects of what went on.

Worth the price of the video are...

...the moments provided by the Band, especially seeing the shy Richard Manuel sing, in that otherworldly, last-one-to-be-picked-for-the-team voice, "I Shall Be Released," a sublime treat for one who had previously only been transported by simply audio Manuel-Band moments. Also giving me shivers is the Band's performance of "The Weight." As mentioned by several others, the drunken/sleep-deprived Rick Danko/Joplin/Garcia jam "They're ain't no Cain (cane?)" is interesting+. The Dead generally bores me but there are other worthy showings, particularly by also-rans Sea Train and the Flying Burritos. Unfortunately, the Joplin segments are among the worst I've seen, and horribly prophetic (instead try Monterey Pop). And while Ian and Sylvia made pristine folk when they stayed in that box, the fusion about which Sylvia exalts now seems dated. Finally, all the business about fans wanting free admission is tedious if, as I have, you've seen the Isle of Wight concert film, which documented a similarly troubling conflict.

Wish I had a ticket for that ride...

This is a great film that has found life after 30 or so years. I really enjoyed this DVD a lot. This had to be a great time, rolling along Canada with the Grateful Dead, The Band, Buddy Guy, Janis Joplin, booze, pot, LSD etc... what a dream ride. The music is really great and the footage is classic. The whole thing is well done and flows well. This thing never made any money and was turned into a rolling party never to be repeated.
Old fans will dig this a lot...
Phil on the East Coast.