Criterion Reflections – Episode 144 – Mel Stuart’s Wattstax

Criterion Reflections is David Blakeslee’s ongoing project to watch all of the films included in the Criterion Collection in chronological order of their original release. Each episode of Season 5: 1973 features a short video clip in which David offers a few thoughts about films that were destined to eventually bear the Criterion imprint, whether published on physical media or made available on their streaming platform. These clips will occasionally be accompanied by lengthier podcast episodes including other guests for films that call for more in-depth coverage. In this episode, David is joined by guests Richard Doyle and James Merritt to discuss Wattstax, directed by Mel Stuart. In 2022, the film streamed on the Criterion Channel in a limited engagement and is currently available on DVD through Warner Archive and numerous streaming services.

EPISODE LINKS:

MEL STUART

• Wikipedia
• Letterboxd
• JustWatch
• Directors Guild of America
• International Documentary Association
• The Guardian (obituary)

WATTSTAX

• Wikipedia
• Letterboxd
• Los Angeles Times (1973)
• New York Times (1973)
• AV Club
• DVD Talk
• Every 70s Movie
• The Guardian
• MonsterMovieMusic
• New Directions in Music
• Panorama of the Mountains
• Public Transportation Snob
• Shameless Self Expression
• The Spinning Image
• Martin Teller
• Shaun Watson

PREVIOUSLY:

THE BOSS

UP NEXT:

BLACK CAESAR

MORE!

• Criterion Reflections blog (1922 – 1967)
• Criterion Reflections columns on CriterionCast (1968)
• The Eclipse Viewer
• A Journey Through the Eclipse Series

CONTACT:

• David Blakeslee [ TikTok / Website / Facebook / Letterboxd ]
• Richard Doyle [ Letterboxd ]
• James Merritt [ YouTube / Instagram / X ]