Genres

Visitors Review

planktonrules 2012-05-21 17:11:48

Just the sort of film I like...but unfortunately a bit too short.

This documentary is about the Warner Brothers and their studio.However, unlike other documentaries about film studios, this was morelike a home movie in many ways--with one of the granddaughters of theoriginal Warner Brothers narrating and talking with some family membersabout their recollections (in addition to all the film historians whocomment). This gives it a rather intimate feel but also made you wonderhow objective the production was. For example, I often find thatautobiographies are FAR less interesting than biographies because theytend to tell the tale from a far from neutral point of view. Now I amNOT saying this film does this exactly. There is quite a bit of dirt inthe film about the animosity between Jack and Harry--making Harry soundlike a swell guy and Jack akin to Satan. But I did wonder about thefilm at times--especially concerning Harry Warner's adoption of hisniece, Lina. What would a neutral party say about all this? There were a lot of neat facts about the studio. I loved learning howthe KKK sued Warner for their depiction in "Black Legion"! Or, how thestudio was the first to refuse to sell movies in Germany and made thefirst anti-Nazi film from Hollywood--even when the nation was firmly inthe isolationist camp. Interestingly, the film really didn't focus somuch on the stars of the day--but more on the day to day behind thescenes events. I liked this, as if you want to see more about Cagney orBette Davis, a documentary about them would make a lot more sense.Overall, this is the sort of film that movie lovers like myselflove--especially those who adore Hollywood during the classic years ofthe 1920s-40s. Fascinating--as it's filled with wonderful littlestories and facts that film buffs will love. My only real problem withthe film is that there is just too much material for a film that's justa bit over 90 minutes long. A mini-series would really due more justiceto the history of this amazing studio.Oddly, while the documentary was filled with a lot of film clips, someof them were of pretty poor quality--particularly the grainy and washedout one from "Giant". I am really not sure why this was the case.

2012-05-21 12:06:38

Excellent Documentary

This review is from: The Brothers Warner (DVD) This documentary, made by the grand-daughter of Harry Warner, one of the Warner Bros., is thorough in the telling of the history, the development and both the public and private, non-business side of the family history. It wastes no time, yet gives more than enough information. A wonderful documentary, with no re-enactments. This is a good one. The story of this pivotal Studio in the development of Hollywood is beautifully told. Worth every cent, and more! -James Bryant Wiser

2012-05-19 08:18:12

Brothers Warner

This review is from: The Brothers Warner (DVD) I Really enjoyed the information on how the Warner Bothers Studios came to be and how its operated. It is interesting how companies come together and where they are today. This DVD explained the realationships and strenghts each bother brought to the table. I would definitely recommend you watch this DVD, if you like history and it's making.

calvinnme 2012-05-18 13:27:20

A fascinating look at four founders of the film industry

Cass Warner, producer of this film, is actually the granddaughter ofHarry Warner, one of the four original Warner Brothers. Thisdocumentary is not a retread of "You Must Remember This", thedocumentary which focused on the studio. This is the story of the fourWarner Brothers themselves, starting back in the 19th century and theirventures into the entertainment industry that predate the forming ofWarner Brothers the company by twenty years. It goes forward past thetime that they exited the running of Warner Brothers the company andtalks about the lives of the brothers themselves. Although Ms. Warneris a descendant, she doesn't get overly sentimental about her subjectnor does she try to smooth over the real problems that the brothers hadin their own private lives and with each other. The book by the samename has much more detail, of course, but this is still a veryfascinating documentary for those interested in film history.