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Gimme Shelter
The music that thrilled the world… and the killing that stunned it!
Dec. 06, 1970
01:30:00
PG
8.0
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Your rating: 8.0
Overview:
The landmark documentary about the tragically ill-fated Rolling Stones free concert at Altamont Speedway on December 6, 1969. Only four months earlier, Woodstock defined the Love Generation; now it lay in ruins on a desolate racetrack six miles outside of San Francisco.
Description
The film is divided into two time sequences: the Rolling Stones' 1969 concert tour of the United States, and the Stones themselves watching films of the events. The scenes of the tour are interspersed with performances in Madison Square Garden, where Ike and Tina Turner are also seen, as plans for a free concert are developed. Contrasted with the scenes at the Garden is a summation of the aftermath at Altamont. At a press conference in the Rainbow Room in New York City, Mick Jagger announces that the free concert is to be held in San Francisco.
Later in the tour, lawyer Melvin Belli tries to line up a site for the concert and finally acquires the Altamont Speedway, owned by Dick Carter. The scene shifts to Altamont. The Flying Burrito Brothers perform, but the Jefferson Airplane is interrupted by scuffles between the Hell's Angels (paid in beer to protect the performers and maintain order) and the crowd. Marty Balin of the Jefferson Airplane is hit, as Grace Slick's plea for peace fails to ease the violent atmosphere.
That evening, the Stones appear, escorted to the stage by the Angels who clear a path with their motorcycles. As the anxious crowd of over 300,000 see the Stones begin to sing, fighting erupts, and Jagger's efforts to calm the mass prove ineffectual. After one number, a black youth in the audience is seen waving a gun and is stabbed to death by one of the Angels. The concert concludes, and a helicopter carries the Stones away from Altamont.
Director:
Charlotte Zwerin
Writer:
Cast:
Mick Jagger Keith Richards Charlie Watts Bill Wyman Mick Taylor Marty Balin Melvin Belli Dick Carter Jack Casady Mike Clarke Sam Cutler Spencer Dryden Jerry Garcia Chris Hillman Meredith Hunter Paul Kantner Jorma Kaukonen Pete Kleinow Michael Lang Bernie Leadon Gram Parsons Alan Passaro Roland Schneider Rock Scully Michael Shrieve Grace Slick Frank Terry Ike Turner Tina Turner Albert Maysles Ian Stewart Phil Lesh David Maysles Bob Weir
The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter