Amazon.com

This hour-long documentary, written and directed by noted film critic Richard Schickel for the 1971 Public Television series The Men Who Make the Movies, offers a concise, intelligent look at Hitchcock's films. The Master of Suspense himself, who is interviewed extensively here, delights with (possibly apocryphal) stories of his deep-seated fear of policemen, elaborates on the difference between shock and suspense, defines the meaning of "MacGuffin," and discusses his use of storyboarding in designing a film. Clips from many of his greatest films (including North by Northwest, Shadow of a Doubt, The Birds, and the legendary shower scene from Psycho) illustrate his points, often to Hitchcock's own voice-over observations, with narrator Cliff Robertson offering other critical insights. An excellent introduction to the filmmaker Schickel describes as "the great artist of anxiety." --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Exellent Documentary On The Master.
Everyone has heared of the great late Alfred Hitchcock and most people have seen at least one of his movies. Still, if you want to know more about Hitch, like how he remembers the door clanging shut on him in the local jail as a kid and his theorys (actually more than theorys- they are facts cause Hitch would know) on how to build uncontrollabe suspence. Just listen to the baseball theory. This is great for both scolars and those who are just becomeing one of the millions of fans. Take a look.

A Hitchcock 101 for those who aren't familiar with him
This is a very intelligent introduction to Hitch's work. He talks very earnestly about movies he made. Scenes from some of his better pictures are featured. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A solid, conventional career documentary (basically a talking-head interview punctuated with film clips) about one of the movies' greatest innovators. As a performer and director with the Group Theater in New York in the 1940s, Kazan was present at the birth of "Method Acting," and he brought a startling new emphasis on naked psychological realism with him to Hollywood. As the documentarian, film critic Richard Schickel, recalls, Kazan's visual style was shaped by his work on semidocumentary noir thrillers like Boomerang (1947) and Panic in the Streets (1950), shot on gritty urban locations with nonprofessional supporting casts--a look that was praised for its originality when William Friedkin revived it in The French Connection almost 30 years later. In the early '50s, Kazan oversaw landmark performances by Marlon Brando (A Streetcar Named Desire) and James Dean (East of Eden). In light of the protests that greeted Kazan's 1999 Honorary Oscar, it would be nice to have more coverage here of his appearance as a "friendly witness" before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952. Kazan himself has defended the action more vigorously elsewhere than he does in Schickel's soft-ball interview. --David Chute ... Read more

Description

TNT cable special about Clint Eastwood narrated by John Cusak. The film covers Eastwoodchr(39)s upbringing, his time in the army, and his career as a bit part player in 1950chr(39)s B-movies. In addition to presenting all of the TV and Western Feature wor ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Eastwood....Actor... .Director.....Dad....
Written and directed by Ricard Schickel,with the star himself as your guide,this 70 minute documentary profiles the career of Clint Eastwood from his early days as a contract player, through his stint on "Rawhide", and includes clips from many of the films he starred in and directed.You won't find interviews with glowing remarks from his fellow actors, just Clint interjecting his thoughts on the characters he played and his style of directing. It is narrated by the star of Clint's film, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", John Cusak.

His work on the 'Man With No Name 'trilogy, the "Dirty Harry" films,"Play Misty For Me"(his directorial debut),"The Bridges of Madison County", his labor of love "Bird","The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", and "Unforgiven" are among the films highlighted. Not every single film he ever made has been included. You may find some of your favorites may not be included(for me it was "Hang Em High"), but it is a highly informative and entertaining look at this legend, and a welcome addition to the Eastwood collection of any fan.

A couple of moments to savor come during the scenes while Clint is directing "Midnight..."...He spies a cricket on a log, asks the insect if he wants to be in films and says to it "Repeat after me...'Go ahead..make my day'. I loved that. The other is as he is watching his daughter, Allison Eastwood acting and this legend turns to mush as we see the smile of the proud dad looking on.

If you are looking for a more in depth look at the films he directed I would recommend.."The Directors:Clint Eastwood". There are several in the series of 'The Directors' that include some of the really great filmmakers.

So Eastwood fans..Go ahead and make your day....enjoy...Laurie

Fans of Clint Eastwood will enjoy this documentary
"Eastwood on Eastwood" was originally a TNT cable special broadcast in 1997.I have this in my video library,it seems that Amazon.com. is one of the few places that it's available.This biography was produced by Richard Schickel,film critic for TIME magazine since the early 1970's.He wrote "Eastwood" the authorized biography back in 1995.It is narrated by actor John Cusack who worked with the director on "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil" in 1997.That film also starred Kevin Spacey and co-starred his then twenty-something daughter Alison Eastwood who is featured in this documentary.

This features many film clips starting with his earliest bit parts back in the mid-1950's to his early work in television all the way up to the late 1990's.This features many interviews with friends and people he has worked with.And features commentary by Eastwood himself on his personal favorite films.It runs just under 90 minutes is digitally processed in DOLBY Hi-Fi.I've been a fan of Clint Eastwood since around 1972 and I believe my fellow Eastwood fans will enjoy this biography/documentary as much as I did.

Blondie........you know what you are?
A P.S. to the review below...The 'trailer' narration, which is a majority of the film, is NOT by Blondie. It is narrated by a guy (his name escapes me) from 'Midnight Garden', so it is more factual than insightful.

...He get's the crazy idea you're laughin at him.
I expected this more of a commentary on his films by the man himself but instead it is more of a narrated sequence of movie 'trailers', which even leaves out a few. It features a couple brief clips of Eastwood commentary with some behind the scenes clips of Squint directing on 'Midnight Garden' and a nice closing with 'ol Angel Eyes on the piano. Overall, good for the die hard Eastwood fan, but a bit deceptive in it's packaging. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good documentary bad idea as separate release
Sad that so many people rated this as one star since in fact the chronicles are interesting and well done. Why the studio decided to release this on a separate DVD when it is all ready on most Ray Harryhausen DVD movies released is odd. Suffice it to say the chronicles are well worth seeing. If you want them just buy a great Harryhausen movie like "Jason and the Argonauts" or "Mysterious Island" on DVD.

Redundant Release
This is included on many of the Harryhausen Movie's DVDs.If they wanted to release a stand alone Harryhausen Documentary ALIENS ,DRAGONS , MONSTERS & ME would have been a better choice.

THE GENIUS OF HARRYHAUSEN
"THE HARRYHAUSEN CHRONICLES" focuses on the art of Ray Harryhausen. This affectionate and classy documentary is a perfect companion title to the feature "20 Million Miles to Earth." Narrated by Leonard Nimoy and written, produced and directed by Richard Schickel, Time magazine's film critic and film historian, this entertaining celebration of Harryhausen's singular cinematic legacy features numerous film clips and observations by George Lucas and others whose lives were impacted by his films. Harryhausen says the "essence of fantasy is the transfer of reality into the imagination." Certainly his remarkable stop-motion sequences have entertained generations and haunted memories. Schickel says it best with an observation spoken by Nimoy: "In this moment of mechanized imagination, this unforgettable work recalls for us the value of the open and wondering eye and the informed and compassionate heart."

Harryhausen is a national treasure, but unnecessary DVD
This excellent documentary is already available on the DVDs "7th Voyage of Sinbad", "First men on the Moon", and several other DVD releases. I can't imagine that the "creatures gallery" could justify a purchase of this, even for die-hard model-building fans. ... Read more