Grateful Dawg (2000)
82%RT Audience Score: 81%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win
Grateful Dawg is a musical documentary that captures the essence of roots music and the unlikely collaboration between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. While the documentary may not be groundbreaking in terms of filmmaking, it is a must-see for any Deadhead or lover of American music. The lively and toe-tapping performances of Off To Sea Once More, Friend Of The Devil, and Sitting Here In Limbo are worth the price of admission alone. The film also offers a glimpse into the personal lives of these two musical legends, but unfortunately, the commentary from Grisman and his family falls short of being illuminating. Nevertheless, Grateful Dawg is a delightful and satisfying tribute to the deep-reaching allure of roots music.
Grateful Dawg is a must-watch for any Deadhead or dawg-lover out there. The documentary may not be the most innovative or brilliant, but it’s enough to be grateful for. The laid-back musical documentary features the lead guitarist and singer for the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, and his friend, mandolin virtuoso, David Grisman. The music is lively and toe-tapping, and hearing these guys perform Off To Sea Once More, Friend Of The Devil, Sitting Here In Limbo, and several other tunes is worth the price of admission. So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
Production Company(ies)
Warner Bros., 5000 Broadway Productions, Likely Story
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for brief language
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 20m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 2000 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2002
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
starring Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Joe Craven, Jim Kerwin, directed by Gillian Grisman, written by Gillian Grisman, documentary, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Jamie Russell, Geoff Pevere, Howard Cohen, Marjorie Baumgarten, Pam Sitt, Terry Lawson, Christopher Null, Dennis Schwartz, Jim Lane, Liz Braun, Daniel Eagan, Sean Piccoli, produced by Gillian Grisman, Sony Pictures Classics, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR, Flat (1.66:1), live performances, backstage, home-style jam sessions, interviews, personal moments, music, roots music, American music, Grateful Dead, mandolin virtuoso, Friend Of The Devil, Off To Sea Once More, Sitting Here In Limbo, intimate portrait
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Jerry Garcia – Self
Jim Kerwin – Self
David Grisman –
Gillian Grisman – Director
Pamela K. Long – Associate Producer
Director(s)
Gillian Grisman
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Gillian Grisman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win
Academy Awards
All Critics (43) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (13)
December 13, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Jamie Russell
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
If you hadn’t guessed already, this is a movie about the deep-reaching allure of roots music. However, the very fact that it’s about the roots music performed by these two unlikely collaborators makes it something more.
January 11, 2002
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
If you come to Grateful Dawg to hear a lot of wonderful music, you’ll walk away satisfied.
December 6, 2001
Howard Cohen
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
A must for any Deadhead and of genuine interest to any music fan, even if its documentary chops hit a few sour notes.
November 4, 2001 | Rating: 2.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
It may not be much in the way of documentary filmmaking, but for fans of Garcia, Grisman or good old-fashioned American music, it’s enough to be grateful for.
November 2, 2001
Pam Sitt
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
This one’s for Deadheads and dawg-lovers only.
November 2, 2001
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
August 8, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
It’s a laid-back musical documentary featuring the lead guitarist and singer for the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, and his friend, mandolin virtuoso, David Grisman.
February 25, 2002 | Rating: A-
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
[W]hen your subject is as interesting as this, and when the music your camera catches is this lively and toe-tapping, you don’t exactly have to be a brilliant or innovative filmmaker.
February 25, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
To hear these guys perform Off To Sea Once More, Friend Of The Devil, Sitting Here In Limbo and several other tunes is worth the price of admission.
January 11, 2002
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies
It’s up to Grisman and his family and colleagues to speak for [Garcia]; unfortunately, their comments aren’t very illuminating.
December 9, 2001
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International
Starts to dissolve into a pleasant but overlong home movie.
December 7, 2001
Sean Piccoli
South Florida Sun-Sentinel…
Plot
“Grateful Dawg” is a documentary that explores the musical partnership between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, featuring live performances and personal moments from their collaboration, as well as interviews with friends and family.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The documentary features live performances by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, as well as rare personal moments from backstage and home-style jam sessions.
Gillian-Grisman.jpg
