Film Forum

(1995) Scorsese’s look at his favorite American directors, grouped as storytellers, illusionists, smugglers, and iconoclasts. Digital. Approx. 280 min.

Reviews

“Though this vastly entertaining, strong-willed new documentary runs nearly four hours, it has no room for pompous artistes or stuffy academics. It does have plenty of space for the B movies that Hollywood raised to the level of art.”
– Caryn James, The New York Times

“Remains an impressive ode to his craft over two decades after its initial release.”
– Zade Constantin, The Film Stage

“And that’s the great glory of this eclectic walking tour: It’s at once a highly original history of other directors and a primer on the roots of Scorsese’s own movies (which he occasionally mentions, though no footage from them is shown). Even if you think nothing could entice you to the Classics shelf of your video store, Scorsese endows the prospect with the allure of a dream harem — a thousand and one nights at the movies wouldn’t be enough for him.”
– Steve Daly, Entertainment Weekly