Which major studio distributed the 1970 Woodstock documentary film?

Warner Bros. distributed the 1970 Woodstock documentary film. Titled Woodstock, or Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music, it was directed by Michael Wadleigh and documented the landmark August 1969 festival near Bethel, New York.

The financing story was nearly as dramatic as the concert itself. Artie Kornfeld, one of Woodstock’s promoters, approached Warner Bros. executive Fred Weintraub after other companies rejected the project. Weintraub backed the film with $100,000, reportedly overruling resistance within the studio. Warner Bros. ultimately financed and released the documentary.

The film opened theatrically on March 26, 1970, and became a major commercial and critical success. It was later expanded into a director’s cut, released in 1994. Another frequent confusion involves the soundtrack: Atlantic Records handled the original soundtrack album, but that was separate from Warner Bros.’ distribution of the film.