Here is one I watched for the first time in ten years or more... Kevin Brownlow's documentary from 1993, D.W. Griffith: Father of Film. It has that Brownlow (and David Gill) seal of quality. Outstanding documentary, and of special interest to anyone who cares about film or 'the movies'. This same team made one of my favourite film historical records of all time, Hollywood; which is about the era of silent cinema. Back in early 1980, I was there with bells on in front of the television every week this superlative series ran. Apparently, it is still a no-show on DVD.Hollywood is of special interest to anyone who loves movies. Brownlow and Gill made this one at the right time; that is the late 'seventies, as a lot of their interview subjects -- actors, producers, writers, and techs -- died within a few years of Hollywood's production.
Time to see Hollywood again.
Oh, I should mention that I agree with the title Father of Film. While Griffith clearly did not invent a lot of techniques, he used them so effectively and in analogy with the subject matter of his various films, that his crowning was guaranteed.
The approximate three hour running time (three parts) of D.W. Griffith: Father of Film never makes for dull viewing -- it is always interesting and completely absorbing.
By the way, hasn't anybody noticed that producer/director Ivan Reitman bears a faint resemblance to Griffith?
(I'm not suggesting... )
No comments:
Post a Comment