Taking Woodstock (2009): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2009, Taking Woodstock is a comedy, drama and music film directed by Ang Lee, running about 120 minutes. “A generation began in his backyard.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. 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.

Who’s in it. Taking Woodstock stars Demetri Martin as Elliot Teichberg, Imelda Staunton as Sonia Teichberg, Henry Goodman as Jake Teichberg and Liev Schreiber as Wilma, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, Taking Woodstock has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $10M at the box office.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Taking Woodstock page.

If you liked it. Fans of Taking Woodstock tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.