Taking Woodstock

"A generation began in his backyard."

2009 2h 0m EN

😐

6.2

MID

★6.2TMDB · 489

MusicComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The story of Elliot Tiber and his family, who inadvertently played a pivotal role in making the famed Woodstock Music and Arts Festival into the happening that it was. When Elliot hears that a neighboring town has pulled the permit on a hippie music festival, he calls the producers thinking he could drum up some much-needed business for his parents' run-down motel. Three weeks later, half a million people are on their way to his neighbor’s farm in White Lake, New York, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience that would change his life–and American culture–forever.

“A generation began in his backyard.”

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Cast

Demetri Martin
Elliot Teichberg
Imelda Staunton
Sonia Teichberg
Henry Goodman
Jake Teichberg
Jonathan Groff
Michael Lang
Eugene Levy
Max Yasgur
Emile Hirsch
Billy
Dan Fogler
Devon
Liev Schreiber
Vilma

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ang Lee
Writers: James Schamus
Languages: English
Countries: Taiwan, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 33% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 17 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Taiwan, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ang Lee, shot by Éric Gautier. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Danny Elfman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Tim Squyres shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Demetri Martin and Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A generation began in his backyard.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ang Lee directs. Éric Gautier behind the camera. Danny Elfman scores. Tim Squyres cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Taiwan, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 33% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 17 years ago.
3International production across 2 countries: Taiwan, United States of America.
4Directed by Ang Lee, shot by Éric Gautier. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Danny Elfman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Tim Squyres shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Demetri Martin and Imelda Staunton and Henry Goodman carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "A generation began in his backyard.".
9IMDB entry: tt1127896 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 8 themes, including "rock 'n' roll", "based on novel or book", "biography", "woodstock, new york".