Synopsis

Set in 1970 – and consisting largely of footage that has never been seen since – Festival Express documents an eponymous “happening.” Following on the heels of Woodstock, “Festival Express” was a multi-band, multi-day extravaganza that captured the spirit and imagination of a generation and a nation. What made it unique was that it was portable; for five days, the bands and performers lived, slept, rehearsed and did countless unmentionable things aboard a customized train that traveled from Toronto, to Calgary, to Winnipeg, with each stop culminating in a mega-concert. The entire experience – both off-stage and on – was filmed by Peter Biziou, with extensive footage remaining locked away until now. That material, along with contemporary interviews with various participants, witnesses and survivors has been assembled by award-winning director Bob Smeaton to create a thrilling document of something that would – and could – never be duplicated.

DVD Release: November 2, 2004

Directed by: Bob Smeaton
Starring: Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, the Buddy Guy Blues Band