A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies poster & wallpaper
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Brian DePalma, Gregory Peck, John Cassavetes, Francis Ford Coppola, André De Toth ... see more see more... , Clint Eastwood , Howard Hawks , Fritz Lang , George Lucas , Arthur Penn , Nicholas Ray , Martin Scorsese , Douglas Sirk , Orson Welles , Billy Wilder

In 1994, the British Film Institute commissioned a set of films to mark the centenary of the movies. They would trace the history of several national cinemas, and the BFI's choice for interpreting the... read more read more... history of American film fell to director Martin Scorsese, a longtime champion of film history and preservation. Scorsese's approach to his subject is director-centered, as he examines the tension inherent in the struggle of an artist wishing to make a personal statement against the collaborative nature of films and the commercial pressures of the Hollywood moviemaking factory. Segments of this series are devoted to the director as storyteller (examining narrative devices in the Western, gangster film, and musical), illusionist (technical tricks), smuggler (imbedding personal messages), and iconoclast (bucking the system to make films his own way). The series is replete with telling clips, not just snippets or shots, but entire scenes which illustrate Scorsese and co-director Michael Henry Wilson's points. Other filmmakers, including John Ford, Francis Ford Coppola, Billy Wilder, and Orson Welles, are seen in archival footage or interviews created for the series, offering their own take on the art of filmmaking. Scorsese doesn't discriminate between filmmakers with glossy reputations and those who always worked on the fringe of public awareness. If anything, he goes out of his way to champion mavericks like Samuel Fuller whose "visceral cinema" never enjoyed box-office success or awards. Personal Journey was first shown on British TV, released in limited fashion to theaters in the United States, and shown here on TV as well. A tie-in book was published in 1997 by Miramax Books; it contains the entire script for the series, excellent black-and-white stills, and dialogue from some of the clips. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

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90% liked it

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Critics

100% liked it

11 critics

Unrated, 3 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: January 1, 1995

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DVD Release Date: September 12, 2000

Stats: 90 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (90)

  • fb1664868775
    October 28, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Film class is in session, take notes.
  • rubystevens
    March 17, 2009
    rubystevens
    a joy to watch. scorsese is an encyclopedia of film knowledge and believes that cinema fulfills a spiritual need. his passion and intelligence make this fascinating viewing for film buffs. it's not meant to be a complete history, just a catalog of some mostly lesser-known film... read mores that made a lasting impression on him, beginning with duel in the sun, age 4! he could've easily gone on for four more hours with no complaints from me; in fact i wish he had :D
  • fb100000398655007
    May 23, 2012
    fb100000398655007
    What a very well written and produced documentary. I loved every minute of this and it was very interesting to hear what the best director in film had to say. Their is not much to talk about his except that he kind of spoiled a couple of films I been meaning to watch. Well, that'... read mores what I get for watching a film that considers it self a journey. I also really liked the song they would play at the beginning and end credits. It was so classy and elegant. So to end this really short review I would like to say for all the cinephiles out their you have to watch this. Their is no exception.
  • TobiasXimenez
    November 5, 2009
    TobiasXimenez
    This should be required viewing for people with a sincere interest in film. If you can find a print of the dvd, you should snag it quickly. Give yourself 3 hours to view this amazing documentary, you won't regret it.
  • jimbotender
    August 24, 2008
    jimbotender
    Carving documentary for the long-gone era of silent productions and going up to the newest studio additions of the U.S. industry,Scorsese becomes the host and even if this is an incomplete journey,it brings a sweet smell of success.
  • DonMichael
    April 15, 2009
    DonMichael
    Essential viewing for anyone seriously interested in film, whether you just like watching them or it's something else.
  • jrmcm
    July 14, 2008
    jrmcm
    Just give me a list of old movies to watch. Spare me the short clips and Scorsese ego trips. He's a terrible actor. 3.5 hours and they barely scratch the surface!

View All A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rob Nelson
August 20, 2009
Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul

Obviously, the man knows his movies. Full Review

Cole Smithey
March 8, 2008
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Essential and joyful--a real blast.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 1, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Film buffs will savor Scorsese's enthusiasm for the medium and his championing of those who remained true to their vision. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
November 26, 2001
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Watching this documentary, we not only raise our appreciation for film art in general, but we also better understand Scorsese's vision in particular. Full Review

Ben Stephens
November 14, 2001
Ben Stephens, culturevulture.net

A dizzying and tantalizing skate across the surface of a deep and wonderful lake. Full Review

Caryn James
January 1, 2000
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
December 18, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Robin Clifford
May 14, 2004
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews

No review available.

Michael Dequina
January 12, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

No review available.

July 30, 2003
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Click to read the article Full Review

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