This is the best documentary on filmmaking I have ever seen. It is an encyclopedic work on the film industry from its birth in the 1890's until the dawn of sound and a little beyond in 1930, and is actually named "Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film". The narration by James Mason is perfect, the interviews with now long passed actors, directors, and writers are priceless, and the music works beautifully with the silent film clips. The thirteen roughly 50 minute episodes are: 1. The Pioneers 2. In The Beginning 3. Single Beds and Double Standards 4. Hollywood Goes To War 5. Hazards of the Game 6. Swanson and Valentino 7. Autocrats 8. Comedy - A serious Business 9. Out West 10. The Man With the Megaphone 11. Trick of the Light 12. Star Treatment 13. End of An Era
If Kevin Brownlow and David Gill had never done anything else but this documentary, their contribution to film history would have been tremendous. As it was, it was just the capstone of their mutual love of the art. Today, even many classic film lovers believe silent film is just not worth their time. This documentary really shows the beauty of the art form and the world of the industry at the time, plus you get to see so many interviews with silent film stars - many who were the not so big names. You don't feel that you are just getting a history lesson, instead you really feel you are being immersed in the world of silent film because the recollections of the interviewees are so personal. I was particularly glad to see so much of actress Viola Dana in the documentary. She was Buster Keaton's first true love, and her sense of humor and mischief comes through even when she is in her 80's. The last episode, "End of an Era", does a more detailed and artistic job of explaining the transition to sound than any one documentary that I've ever seen dedicated to the subject. The final scene of that final episode will bring tears to your eyes.
This documentary is a very valuable exploration of what is a forgotten era. I wish everyone embroiled in the rights problems that prevent this from being on DVD would just put their pettiness aside, realize that no film is being shown in its entirety here, and allow this to be exhibited. It just might bring about a rebirth in interest in an era and art form long past and worth remembering.
If Kevin Brownlow and David Gill had never done anything else but this documentary, their contribution to film history would have been tremendous. As it was, it was just the capstone of their mutual love of the art. Today, even many classic film lovers believe silent film is just not worth their time. This documentary really shows the beauty of the art form and the world of the industry at the time, plus you get to see so many interviews with silent film stars - many who were the not so big names. You don't feel that you are just getting a history lesson, instead you really feel you are being immersed in the world of silent film because the recollections of the interviewees are so personal. I was particularly glad to see so much of actress Viola Dana in the documentary. She was Buster Keaton's first true love, and her sense of humor and mischief comes through even when she is in her 80's. The last episode, "End of an Era", does a more detailed and artistic job of explaining the transition to sound than any one documentary that I've ever seen dedicated to the subject. The final scene of that final episode will bring tears to your eyes.
This documentary is a very valuable exploration of what is a forgotten era. I wish everyone embroiled in the rights problems that prevent this from being on DVD would just put their pettiness aside, realize that no film is being shown in its entirety here, and allow this to be exhibited. It just might bring about a rebirth in interest in an era and art form long past and worth remembering.