David L. Wolper Movies

Documentary film maven David L. Wolper returns to the scene with a ten-part series profiling 50 international icons of the 20th century. In part one, he presents five "people who made a difference." Helen Keller, despite being deaf and mute from infancy, persevered through incredible odds to emerge as a respected scholar, writer, and speaker, an inspiration to millions. Eleanor Roosevelt was the country's widely respected and first publicly lauded First Lady, who as the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt was a champion of human rights as well as a published writer -This I Remember) and delegate to the United Nations. Jackie Robinson broke through major league baseball's color barrier as the first black player in the history of the game, spending nine seasons as a second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers before ending up in the Hall of Fame. Mother Teresa was born in Albania but spent her life as a nun in India dedicated to ending the suffering of that country's poor and starving masses. She won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in 1979. And finally, the video pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., who was the founder of the American civil rights movement and urged the country to end racism through peaceful speeches, demonstrations, and marches. He won a Nobel Peace Prize before being assassinated in 1968.
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Documentary film maven David L. Wolper returns to the scene with a ten-part series profiling 50 international icons of the 20th century. In part three, he presents five "people who fascinated us." Fidel Castro is the Cuban revolutionary who led the overthrow of the corrupt dictatorship of his country in 1959 and established a socialist state. A main player in the Cold War of the 1960s, he remains leader of Cuba today and supports the liberation struggles of countries in Latin America and Africa. Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the beloved wife of President John F. Kennedy, brought a youthful vigor to the White House, promoted the arts in America, and became a fashion icon to a generation of admirers. John Wayne was a larger-than-life star of the silver screen and to many the embodiment of rugged American manhood. He starred in dozens of Westerns, won an Academy Award in 1969, and eventually produced and directed his own movies. Marilyn Monroe, while also a film star, transcended Hollywood and became an international sex symbol. Her short, turbulent life was filled with modeling assignments, movie roles, marriages (most notably to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller), alleged presidential flings, and the drug use that culminated in her death in 1962 at age 36. Princess Diana became the world's sweetheart in 1981 when she married Prince Charles of Wales at the tender age of 19. Her grace, beauty, and generosity captured the attention and fascination of millions, lasting -- despite the first Royal divorce in 1996 -- until her untimely death in 1998. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Documentary film maven David L. Wolper returns to the scene with a ten-part series profiling 50 international icons of the 20th century. In part five, he presents five "movie superstars." Walt Disney was the cartoonist and visionary behind the first animated film with sound and the first full-length animated feature. His creative genius spawned Mickey Mouse, mega-entertainment conglomerate Walt Disney Productions and amusement parks throughout the world. British-born Charlie Chaplin moved to America at the age of 20 and became a star of the silent screen as "The Tramp," launching a career as a tragicomedian and also as a writer, producer, composer, and actor in over 70 films. Katharine Hepburn, an actress known for her beauty, elegance, and feistiness, started her career on Broadway before moving to the big screen, where she won four Academy awards for her work. Another versatile actor, Jack Nicholson, made his mark on Hollywood with his menacing grin and tough guy roles while gradually diversifying his career to include writer, director, and producer among his credits. Steven Spielberg tops the list as the commercially and critically acclaimed producer and director of epic films such as Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List, whose voice and creativity have contributed to the way America thinks about movies.

~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Documentary film maven David L. Wolper returns to the scene with a ten-part series profiling 50 international icons of the 20th century. In part seven, he presents five "masters of the arts." One of the most influential artists of the 20th century was Pablo Picasso, the Spanish painter and sculptor who helped introduce the collage technique and the Cubist movement, forever transforming the art world. Irish author James Joyce used the concepts of realism, naturalism, and symbolism to create some of the 20th century's most monumental works of fiction, including Dubliners, Ulysses, and Finnegan's Wake. George Bernard Shaw was a self-educated, Irish-born playwright and arts critic who founded the Fabian Society and won the 1925 Nobel Peace Prize for literature. George Gershwin was the American composer who combined jazz with classical music forms to create a unique style used to orchestrate many musical comedies (Porgy and Bess) and songs ("Fascinatin' Rhythm". George Balanchine was a Russian-born ballet director and choreographer who revolutionized the New York City Ballet and choreographed more than 100 ballets in his lifetime. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Documentary film maven David L. Wolper returns to the scene with a ten-part series profiling 50 international icons of the 20th century. In part ten, he presents five "pop music icons." Louis Armstrong, or "Satchmo," was an American jazz trumpeter and singer who overcame poverty and racism to introduce "scat" singing and who helped to popularize jazz in the United States. Frank Sinatra thrilled a generation of fans with his good looks and enticing voice. Nicknamed "Old Blue Eyes," he starred in several movies and sang with the big bands of the 1930s before launching his successful solo career. He was granted three posthumous Grammy awards for his musical achievements and influence. Elvis Presley was one of the most famous entertainers of the 20th century with his charismatic style and soothing voice, crooning such tunes as "Love Me Tender" and "Heartbreak Hotel." Combining elements of gospel, country & western, and R&B music, Elvis helped to transform rock music in America. The Beatles, however, changed the face of rock & roll music forever when they brought their innovative style from Britain to the United States in the early '60s. While only together for a short time, the group remains popular worldwide, with many young musicians citing them as a major influence on their musical development. Michael Jackson was the youngest of the famous sibling group the Jackson Five before embarking on his even more successful solo career as singer, dancer, and songwriter. A somewhat reclusive yet fascinating character, he was a true pop icon of the late 20th century. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

This three-hour miniseries adapts Marion Zimmer Bradley's feminist recasting of the Arthurian mythos into a big-budget cable television event. In ancient England, Christianity is spreading and the Saxons are invading. It's up to Viviane (Anjelica Huston) -- Lady of the Lake and high priestess of the kingdom's ancient pagan religion -- to make sure that the next king will honor both the old and new faiths and thereby banish the barbarian hordes. Viviane manipulates her sister Igraine (Caroline Goodall) into marrying King Uther Pendragon (Mark Lewis Jones) and bearing a son, Arthur (Edward Atterton) -- much to the consternation of Viviane's other sister, the power-hungry Morgause (Joan Allen). Arthur grows up happily with his older half-sister, Morgaine (Julianna Margulies), until Merlin (Michael Byrne) spirits him off for training and Viviane brings Morgaine to the mystical island of Avalon to develop her magical connection to the Goddess. Years later, the siblings reunite in a masked mating ritual, unaware that their union is incestuous -- or that their son, Mordred (Hans Matheson), will fall into Morgause's clutches and destroy the delicate balance that Viviane has sought to maintain. As Arthur gathers the knights of the round table and ushers in a golden age with Queen Gwenhwyfar (Samantha Mathis) at his side, the seeds of his destruction, and Avalon's, have already been planted -- by Arthur himself. Filmed on-location in Prague, The Mists of Avalon premiered on the TNT cable network July 15 and 16, 2001. Director Uli Edel, best known for his feature adaptation of Last Exit to Brooklyn, had previously helmed Purgatory for TNT. The titular mists -- developed by Edel and executive producer Mark Wolper -- utilized custom fluid dynamic software designed specifically for the project. Celtic musician Loreena McKennitt added her theme music to composer Lee Holdridge's score. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

CNN celebrates the innovations, headlines, and culture of the 20th century. CNN: Celebrate the Century consists of ten programs. The third program, CNN: Celebrate the Century - Episode 3, 1930-1939, features the major headlines of the day, including Amelia Earhart's solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932 and her attempt to fly around the world that ended tragically when she crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 1937. The program also recounts the rise of Adolf Hitler's power and the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, as well as the major innovations of the early 20th century such as the invention of sliced bread. Culturally, America was enraptured with the comic book superhero Superman. Features an entertaining and educational look at what it meant to be an American during the 1930s. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide

CNN celebrates the innovations, headlines, and culture of the 20th century. CNN: Celebrate the Century consists of ten programs. The fourth program, CNN: Celebrate the Century - Episode 4, 1940-1945, features the major headlines of the day, including the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the birth of the United Nations. The program also recounts the major innovations of the early 1940's, such as the nifty fastener Velcro, the first computer, and the horrific napalm bomb. Culturally, America was enraptured with Ernest Hemingway, Orson Welles, and superstar Frank Sinatra. Features an entertaining and educational look at what it meant to be an American during the early 1940s . ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide

NN celebrates the innovations, headlines, and culture of the 20th century. CNN: Celebrate the Century consists of ten programs. The sixth program, CNN: Celebrate the Century - Episode 6, 1954-1961, features the major headlines of the day including the Suez Crisis, the Soviet satellite Sputnik, and the beginning of the civil rights movement. The program also recounts the major innovations and events of the mid-1950s and early 1960's, such as the first microchip and humans' first walk on the moon. Culturally, America was enraptured with the birth of the sound of Motown. Features an entertaining and educational look at what it meant to be an American during the mid-1950s and early 1960s . ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide

CNN celebrates the innovations, headlines, and culture of the 20th century. CNN: Celebrate the Century consists of ten programs. The eighth program, CNN: Celebrate the Century - Episode 8, 1970-1979, features the major headlines of the day, including the massacre at Kent State University and the impeachment and resignation of President Nixon. The program also recounts the major innovations and events of the 1970s, such as the space probe and the breaking of the sound barrier. Culturally, America was enraptured with director Stanley Kubrick and his breakthrough film A Clockwork Orange, as well as with the disco beats of the film Saturday Night Fever. Features an entertaining and educational look at what it meant to be an American during the 1970s . ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide

CNN celebrates the innovations, headlines, and culture of the 20th century. CNN: Celebrate the Century consists of ten programs. The tenth program, CNN: Celebrate the Century - Episode 10, 1990-1999, features the major headlines of the day including the tragic death of Princess Diana and the release of Nelson Mandela. The program also recounts the major innovations and events of the 1990s, such as the affect of the Internet, the cloning of sheep, and a little pill named Viagra. Culturally, America was enraptured with the sounds of Nirvana and with the film Pulp Fiction. Features an entertaining and educational look at what it meant to be an American during the 1990s. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide