Harockerce What a beautiful movie!

Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Borgarkeri A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

tavm Having just watched the '60s Country music revue film The Road to Nashville-with the clean cut and well dressed male and female performers who among them was Waylon Jennings-I decided to then go to YouTube to see this concert film from the '70s featuring many male bearded, outlaw Country music performers who among them was Waylon Jennings. He sang "Good Hearted Woman" among his set. Willie himself started with "Whiskey River" and ended with "Goodnight Irene" with Leon Russell accompanying backing vocals. Oh yes, Leon is the highlight of the show as he keeps ramblin' about his love of drink and is constantly on stage whether performing or not. I loved his mention of Louisiana and its various cities (including the one I currently live in, Baton Rouge) he visited and of the "Coon Ass" he intros as from the Pelican state-fiddler Doug Kershaw. Kershaw sure plays a mean fiddle, doesn't he? And what a pleasantly shocking surprise when that completely nude woman went on stage at the end of one his sets and just embraces him and Russell right there! In fact, the camera seemed to love putting the lens on several women undressed. Also enjoyed seeing musicians B.W. Stevenson, The Lost Gonzo Band, Michael Murphey, and Jerry Jeff Walker perform. It was quite an experience watching this so I can only imagine what it was like for the people that actually was there. So on that note, Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic (as the title was actually printed in the print I watched) was sure a great experience I'll never forget!

whiteon30 Cinematheque goes red, white and blue with a screening of Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic - a hidden gem of a concert film by Walter Forsberg America - who doesn't love it? Not the America of environmental and political realities, devoted reader, but the America of myth.And, nothing quite reeks of the good old U.S.A. than a down home country picnic - just like the one Willie Nelson threw in 1974 with Waylon Jennings, Doug Kershaw, B.W. Stevenson and a very drunk Leon Russell.Musical super stardom and inebriation are like an estranged couple in concert-film history. In legend, the two are irrevocably married, but it is a rare treat to witness their coupling in concert films of the golden era (i.e. the '60s and '70s). Neil Young's nasal residue in The Last Waltz (1978) and the infamous underground tape The Cocaine Cowboy both briefly 'blow' the cover off backstage partying, but Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic is full of it. And, if ever there was a drunken hero of the concert-film genre, it is Leon Russell.At Willie's bash, whilst tens of thousands of Texas bumpkins party and picnic all national holiday long, Russell progressively becomes the true character and star of the show by becoming more drunk and more entertaining to watch. The toe-tapping litany of Willie's assembled musical guests perform on a red, white and blue stage sponsored by Lone Star Beer, and Russell is never seen without a can of the stuff (though he eventually graduates to Budweiser, and then, a suspiciously discreet Coca-Cola cup). Roving the stage, Russell hovers unaware of his own presence - often obstructing sight lines and pestering performers (this includes undressing some as they play). He doesn't even really make it through a whole song by himself. It's wonderful.Willie, for his part, is still the smooth country crooner of the 1970s: handsome and heartbreakingly good; not yet the gentle stoner-Gramps of today. Those unfamiliar with his live performances will marvel at the sobering fireworks display his guitar chops light up on his beat-up Spanish guitar. The music is infectious, especially when Doug 'the Ragin' Cajun' Kershaw shows up in full Austin Powers velvet and steals the show with his brand of wild bayou fiddling. Willie's dear, dear buddy Waylon Jennings shows up, too, performing several hits, including his Willie-homage, Willie the Wandering Gypsy. As the show climaxes with the requisite 'everyone-onstage' finale, even Jennings has become pretty zonked and his half-open eyelids give him a devilish air.This concert film was long embroiled in a dispute between the director and financier, and is essentially unavailable anywhere on video. Period. A dear friend of Cinematheque has, reportedly, lent a very good condition 35mm print (one of less than a handful in existence, complete with all the R-rated topless women and streaker scenes) for Friday's 11 p.m. showing. If you find yourself uninspired by the ersatz patriotism of Canada Day, mosey on down for a rare and authentic taste of true Southern pride.

edinman The 1979 date is a little misleading because although it was apparently released theatrically that year, the actual footage came from several years earlier. I have heard a lot of conflicting opinions on this but most of the evidence points to it being filmed entirely in 1974 at the second 4th of July Picnic which was a three-day event held in College Station, TX at the Texas World Speedway. Also, FWIW, the title on the movie that I have seen is "Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic" (not "Celebration") although I have seen photos of two different posters--one calling it "Picnic" and the other "Celebration." So, unless there were two different movies, it was apparently billed under both names. Both film and TV cameras are evident on stage and part of the concert was also broadcast on Wolfman Jack's "Midnight Special" TV show on August 2, 1974 according to TV dot com. You can plainly see Wolfman milling about with Willie and the crew in a couple of shots from the film. There is also legend that the film was shot in 3-D but the only release prints I ever saw were normal flat prints that projected best at 1:1.66 (not widescreen). To further confuse things the copyright date on the film is 1977. I really have no idea why a film shot in 1974 would be copyrighted in 1977 and distributed in 1979 but based on very sketchy information, that appears correct. And, yes, as the previous reviewer noted, Leon Russell is quite drunk. The fiddle player is Doug Kershaw. Great concert film, and very hard to find. There was definitely some partying going' on! I'm a little surprised there has never been a DVD of this given Willie's popularity.

DJbigTV I feel very fortunate to have seen this extremely rare film. The performances are very raw, and the sound is NOT replaced. All the wonderful feedback and unintelligable lyrics are kept intact. Leon Russell gives the performance of a lifetime. Not necessarily a good musical performance, but his character is amazing. He is obviously drunk. He has THAT look. There is an incredible fiddle player dressed like Austin Powers who whales on his fiddle. The audience is filled with the best Texas rednecks that ever existed. Many shirtless women (some you wish they had their shirts on!) are sitting on the shoulders of their hairy faced, cowboy hatted, men. I did feel like this film was too short, but Leon Russell makes up for it. He is the STAR of this film!