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Documentary Cult Classic

Rock 'n' roll meets chaos in the Rolling Stones' fateful 1969 Altamont concert documentary.

GIMME SHELTER

The music that thrilled the world… and the killing that stunned it!

1970 · 1h 30m · PG · Documentary / Musical / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

The landmark documentary about the tragically ill-fated Rolling Stones free concert at Altamont Speedway on December 6, 1969. Only four months earlier, Woodstock defined the Love Generation; now it lay in ruins on a desolate racetrack six miles outside of San Francisco.

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Quick Answer

What is Gimme Shelter about?

Gimme Shelter is a 1970 American documentary, musical, and thriller film directed by Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin, and David Maysles about the Rolling Stones' 1969 US tour and the infamous Altamont Speedway free concert.

Programmer's Pick

If Woodstock was the peace sign, Gimme Shelter is the shattered mirror. The Maysles brothers and Charlotte Zwerin pull no punches, letting the Stones' music and the gathering storm at Altamont speak for themselves.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Gimme Shelter documents the Rolling Stones' 1969 concert tour across the United States, culminating in the planning of a free concert in San Francisco. The film alternates between electrifying stage performances—including scenes with Ike and Tina Turner at Madison Square Garden—and candid moments as the Stones watch footage of their own journey. As legal and logistical hurdles are navigated to secure the Altamont Speedway venue, the anticipation for the concert builds. The documentary captures not only the iconic music but also the cultural tensions of the era, blending backstage access, press conferences, and the evolving atmosphere leading up to a pivotal moment in rock history.

Details & Specs

Directors
Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin, David Maysles
Release
1970
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Documentary, Musical, Thriller
Also Known As
The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter

Why This Matters

This documentary by Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin captures the final weeks of the Rolling Stones' 1969 US tour, culminating in the infamous Altamont Free Concert and the killing of Meredith Hunter, and was chosen as the opening film of the 1971 Cannes Film Festival.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Directors: Albert Maysles +2 more
Mick Jagger Mick Jagger Self - The Rolling Stones Member Charlie Watts Charlie Watts Self - The Rolling Stones Member Keith Richards Keith Richards Self - The Rolling Stones Member Mick Taylor Mick Taylor Self - The Rolling Stones Member Bill Wyman Bill Wyman Self - The Rolling Stones Member Marty Balin Marty Balin Self SB Sonny Barger Self MB Melvin Belli Self DC Dick Carter Self JC Jack Casady Self MC Mike Clarke Self Sam Cutler Sam Cutler Self SD Spencer Dryden Self Jerry Garcia Jerry Garcia Self Chris Hillman Chris Hillman Self MH Meredith Hunter Self Paul Kantner Paul Kantner Self Jorma Kaukonen Jorma Kaukonen Self PK Pete Kleinow Self Michael Lang Michael Lang Self Bernie Leadon Bernie Leadon Self Albert Maysles Albert Maysles Self David Maysles David Maysles Self Phil Lesh Phil Lesh Self GP Gram Parsons Self AP Alan Passaro Self RS Roland Schneider Self RS Rock Scully Self MS Michael Shrieve Self Grace Slick Grace Slick Self Ian Stewart Ian Stewart Self FT Frank Terry Self Ike Turner Ike Turner Self Tina Turner Tina Turner Self Bob Weir Bob Weir Self

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Why Cult

Direct Cinema Style

The film’s observational approach puts you right in the eye of the cultural hurricane, capturing events as they unfold without narration.

Rolling Stones On Tour

See the Stones in their prime onstage and off, from Madison Square Garden to the fateful Altamont show.

Hells Angels As Security

Witness the infamous decision to use the Hells Angels motorcycle club as concert security—one of rock’s most controversial moves.

Era-Defining Moment

The film captures a turning point in the 1960s counterculture, contrasting the hope of Woodstock with the turmoil at Altamont.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Free concert at Altamont Speedway

Threat

Escalating violence at the event

Effect

Chaos, injury, and a tragic death in the crowd

Setting

Altamont Speedway, California

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Gimme Shelter? +

Gimme Shelter was directed by Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin, and David Maysles.

When was Gimme Shelter released? +

Gimme Shelter was released in 1970.

How long is Gimme Shelter? +

The film has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is Gimme Shelter? +

Gimme Shelter is a documentary, musical, and thriller.

Trailers & Clips

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