Buster Keaton - A Hard Act To Follow details
| Format: | U DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Buster Keaton |
| Directors: | David Gill, Kevin Brownlow |
| Genre: | Comedy - Slapstick |
| Studio: | NETWORK |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Buster Keaton - A Hard Act To Follow |
U Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 2 hours 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | Not available for rental |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
Quiet, genius at work
By Stephen Simpson from Croydon, England , 05 Feb 2006[Highly rated reviewer]
I have just seen this tremendous documentary at the National Film Theatre and am delighted to learn that it is coming out on DVD. It is a three-parter made for Thames TV in 1987, co-directed by the leading British silent film historian Kevin Brownlow. Keaton’s life story splits reasonably neatly into three phases – the early years (as a child actor in vaudeville and then as a supporting player for Roscoe Arbuckle); the great years (most of the 20s); and the fall from grace (alcoholism, some terrible talkies), but eventual comeback (through a mixture of TV, cameos in big Hollywood productions and rediscovery by European critics). This documentary is particularly strong on how Keaton’s private life impacted on his films. For example, his character in My Wife's Relations can be seen struggling for acceptance from his wife’s disapproving family, just as he did when he married his first wife. The Goat has him as a man wrongly accused of being a criminal, made around the same time his close friend Roscoe Arbuckle was accused of murder. There are also priceless interviews with many of those who worked with Keaton in the silents and some rare footage of Keaton at work and being interviewed. Essential viewing.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(5)fantastic
By NitenRyu (5 reviews) from Stoke-On-Trent , 31 Oct 2007Really magnificent documentary about cinema's greatest comedian who also happens to be one of its greatest gag choreographers and directors. I highly recommend Kevin Brownlow's book 'The parade's gone by', which is still the definitive account of the silent era.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (2) Yes |
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Essential viewing
By Savage (632 reviews) from London, England , 20 Jul 2006Initially, I was a little sceptical about this documentary, thinking that it would be far better simply to watch Keaton's genius films. As it went on, though, it completely won me over - especially the third episode, covering Keaton's later years: you simply can't get the television work anywhere else, and the 'Candid camera' sequences are worth the rental alone. Shame the film is so parsimonious about the credits (which pictures are being excerpted; who are all the talking heads?). Otherwise, fabulous.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (2) Yes |
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Wonderful introduction!
By a customer from London , 17 Jun 2006If you are unfamiliar with the work of Buster Keaton, then this is a wonderful place to start. This made for television documentary narrated by British director Lindsey Anderson, has some fabulous clips of Keaton's films, with archive footage of Keaton and many others who worked with him, talking about their experiences of making these classic films. It spans his entire carrier, from his days as a child star right through to the later, unappriciated fase of his working life. The originality and creativity of Buster Keaton on show in this programme puts a lot of current films being made today to shame. This is well worth taking a look at.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Superb stuff - unmissable!
By Munchkin061271 (38 reviews) from Grays , 23 Mar 2006If you've heard of Buster Keaton, but never knew what all the fuss was about, this is for you! Made up entirely of classic clips and interviews with those who knew him (and the man himself), this is never less than fascinating. You'll come away with a new appreciation of his genius, and maybe even a sense of anger at the shameless way the Great Stoneface was treated at the height of his powers. Truly an overlooked and neglected pioneer, Keaton's story is compelling and tragic, in equal measure.
Highly recommended!- Was this review helpful to you?
- (2) Yes |
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Quiet, genius at work
By Stephen Simpson from Croydon, England , 05 Feb 2006I have just seen this tremendous documentary at the National Film Theatre and am delighted to learn that it is coming out on DVD. It is a three-parter made for Thames TV in 1987, co-directed by the leading British silent film historian Kevin Brownlow. Keaton’s life story splits reasonably neatly into three phases – the early years (as a child actor in vaudeville and then as a supporting player for Roscoe Arbuckle); the great years (most of the 20s); and the fall from grace (alcoholism, some terrible talkies), but eventual comeback (through a mixture of TV, cameos in big Hollywood productions and rediscovery by European critics). This documentary is particularly strong on how Keaton’s private life impacted on his films. For example, his character in My Wife's Relations can be seen struggling for acceptance from his wife’s disapproving family, just as he did when he married his first wife. The Goat has him as a man wrongly accused of being a criminal, made around the same time his close friend Roscoe Arbuckle was accused of murder. There are also priceless interviews with many of those who worked with Keaton in the silents and some rare footage of Keaton at work and being interviewed. Essential viewing.- Was this review helpful to you?
- (7) Yes |
- No (1)
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