Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band

Purchase a virtual screening of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band!

Starting April 3, you’ll be able to purchase a digital screening of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band for only $12, after which you’ll have 3 days to watch the film in a “virtual screening room” created just for patrons of the JBFC. Like many cinematic engagements, this film will be available for screening purchases for one week to start; if demand is sufficient, the title will be “held over” for additional weeks as needed.

With each screening of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band purchased during this period you’ll provide much-needed support to both the JBFC and Magnolia Pictures—who will evenly split the revenue—as we navigate these uncharted waters

Any questions? Check out our Virtual Screening Room FAQ.

About Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band:

2020. 100 m. Daniel Roher. Magnolia Pictures. US. English. Rated R.

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band is a confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robertson’s young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band. The film is a moving story of Robertson’s personal journey, overcoming adversity and finding camaraderie alongside the four other men who would become his brothers in music, together making their mark on music history. Once Were Brothers blends rare archival footage, photography, iconic songs and interviews with Robertson’s friends and collaborators including Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and more.

Andrew Jupin, Senior Programmer here at the JBFC, writes: “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band is a title we had planned on saving for our annual Sounds of Summer music doc series, but with everything so uncertain I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to offer our audience a chance to settle in and watch (and listen to) the story of one of the greatest American groups in the history of rock and roll: The Band. 

With three of the five members having already left us, and the quiet genius Garth Hudson famously reclusive in Woodstock, the film is set solely on the shoulders of Robertson—indeed, the title of the film is taken from a track off his latest record, “Sinematic,” and the film’s end credits confirm that the doc was inspired by his memoir, “Testimony”—however it’s a story he’s told before and a story he tells really well. 

The film is a master work in editing, culled together from over a half a century’s worth of photographs and performance footage, it is beautifully stitched together by editor Eamonn O’Connor and the writer/director Daniel Roher. 

Starting with Robertson’s life growing up in Canada and first finding his lifelong love for music, and ending with the legendary Last Waltz concert at Winterland in 1976, Once Were Brothers is a must for any fan of The Band, no, any fan of rock and roll—period. I urge you to have the volume cranked on this one when you watch it and, if possible, have a copy of Scorsese’s The Last Waltz concert film at the ready because you’re going to need to re-watch that after this. I definitely did.”

• To take advantage of this screening option, you will follow this link to Magnolia Picture’s site. You will first need to register on this site with your own personal login details (you will not have access through your existing JBFC account). It’s very easy! You will enter your name and email address and set a password.
• This film is compatible with desktop, tablet, smartphone, Chromecast, and AirPlay. If you wish to watch on another device, check https://oncewerebrothers.vhx.tv/help before you purchase.
• Please note that helpful details are located on Magnolia Picture’s website. For any questions regarding streaming, device, connection, or payment issues, you will need to reference that site and reach out directly to that site’s customer support.
• Please feel free to reach out to JBFC support for non-streaming questions at support@burnsfilmcenter.org.
• Please note that we are unable to offer member prices.

Purchase a virtual screening of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band!