Ever wished you could just chat with one of your filmmaking heroes, hear their thoughts on various films, and get a list of recommended viewing? Well this comes pretty close to doing that for me. A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies is a 4 hour documentary film produced by the BFI (British Film Institute) back in 1995. In it Scorsese takes you through almost 70 years worth of American films, mentioning notable picks, not only for their aesthetic merit but by how they reflect cultural tensions of their day as well as changes in the art of film. If you're ready to watch some great stuff, discover new filmmakers, and learn something beside one of the masters of our artform, check this out:
I remember watching this documentary a number of years ago, but stopping, because there were too many spoilers! Now that I've seen a lot of the mentioned films I don't mind it so much, but if you want to watch all the movies mentioned before hearing how Scorsese places them in American film history, here's a list of them compiled by another fan. Scanning through that list is reminding me that I seriously have to check out some more films! For those of you ready to listen to Professor Scorsese, jump right in:
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5 Comments
This sounds great! I'm in the same boat as far ass catching up on film titles. I have a pretty extensive list given to me by a co-worker of films to go through... It's a bit intimidating but once u get in the habit it becomes easier to just keep on going down the list...
I may try and catch up before diving into this... or I may not :). Thanks for the post.
May 3, 2012 at 7:37PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
Ive been wanting to watch this for so long, you're the man
May 3, 2012 at 10:39PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I remember watching this in film school. I never got around to watching many of the movies, but it is just great fun to listen to Martin Scorsese dron on and on about all the films he loved as a kid.
May 4, 2012 at 8:37AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
I watched it some time ago and its undeniable and inevitable the effect that Mr. Scorsese causes on the movie loving viewer: He manages to transmit an immense passion for film and a devoted life to cinema, which he also -and finally- brought to fiction with Hugo, used as an excuse to redeem the genius in oblivion who was George Mellies, the manufacturer of dreams...
May 10, 2012 at 3:21PM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM
If you ever get disillusioned in cinema because of what's on at the multiplex, just watch this - guaranteed to make you fall in love with film all over again.
And if you want more after four hours of Marty's tuition, he made another one all about Italian cinema called "My Voyage To Italy" which is equally amazing. Full of spoilers, though!
May 11, 2012 at 12:59AM, Edited September 4, 7:54AM