David Gill Movies

Hollywood has long been revered as the mecca of the movie world, and many people have forgotten -- if they ever knew -- that a thriving cinema scene developed in Europe during the great silent film era. British film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill, who years ago made a comprehensive survey of those days in Hollywood, now remind film lovers of that fact, with this six-part look at the "other Hollywood" of Europe's silent film era. The cinema giants of France, Sweden, Germany, and Great Britain are showcased, using archival film footage and interviews with actors and directors, from Sir John Gielgud to Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock to Simon Feldman. The documentary shows how many of the artistic devices that are standard in the industry were first developed in Europe, including the use of color and special effects, soundtracks, and the now ubiquitous chase scene. This first episode provides an introductory overview to the heyday of silent film in Europe, when screen images knew no boundaries caused by language barriers or World War. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Hollywood has long been revered as the mecca of the movie world, and many people have forgotten -- if they ever knew -- that a thriving cinema scene developed in Europe during the great silent film era. British film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill, who years ago made a comprehensive survey of those days in Hollywood, now remind film lovers of that fact, with this six-part look at the "other Hollywood" of Europe's silent film era. The cinematic works of France, Sweden, Germany, and Great Britain are presented, using archival film footage and interviews with actors and directors, from Sir John Gielgud to Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock to Simon Feldman. The documentary shows how many of the artistic devices that are standard in the industry were first developed in Europe, including the use of color and special effects, soundtracks, and the now ubiquitous chase scene. The second volume in the series, narrated by Kenneth Branaugh, follows the fortunes of silent film in Sweden. The works of cinema giant Ingmar Bergman owe their inspiration to lesser-known masters, including Victor Sjostrom and Maurice Stiller, whose works are showcased. The influential role of Swedish cinema in social policy is also examined. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Hollywood has long been revered as the mecca of the movie world, and many people have forgotten -- if they ever knew -- that a thriving cinema scene developed in Europe during the great silent film era. British film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill, who years ago made a comprehensive survey of those days in Hollywood, now remind film lovers of that fact, with this six-part look at the "other Hollywood" of Europe's silent film era. The cinematic efforts in France, Sweden, Germany, and Great Britain are showcased, using archival film footage and interviews with actors and directors, from Sir John Gielgud to Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock to Simon Feldman. The documentary shows how many of the artistic devices that are standard in the industry were first developed in Europe, including the use of color and special effects, soundtracks, and the now ubiquitous chase scene. The fourth volume in the series, narrated by Kenneth Branaugh, considers the many artistic contributions of the French filmmakers. The lightweight cameras of Auguste and Louis Lumiere brought the scenes of nature to the screen for the first time. Hand tinting, slapstick comedy routines, and musical scores all had their inception in French cinema. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Two of the most renowned film historian-archivists, Kevin Brownlow (Abel Gance's Napoleon) and David Gill, team up for this epic three-part documentary on the rise and fall of David Wark "D.W." Griffith, still widely regarded by many as the most brilliant and intuitive filmmaker in modern history. Brownlow and Gill draw on meticulously-chosen film clips to illustrate how Griffith virtually reinvented filmmaking from 1908-1916, during his tenure at the Biograph film studios, courtesy of revolutionary advancements in cinematographic and acting techniques that enabled him to single-handedly define film grammar. Gill and Brownlow reveal how this culminated in Griffith's technically marvelous yet morally indefensible epic The Birth of a Nation (1915), an ironic development given Hollywood's complete abandonment of Griffith with the advent of sound. Revealing interviews with heavyweights including Lillian Gish, Karl Brown, Blanche Sweet, cinematographer Stanley Cortez and others supplement the material. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Part two of the series deals with what happens to Buster Keaton once he becomes embroiled in a bad studio contract situation. ~ All Movie Guide

Narrated by the incomparable James Mason and co-directed by David Gill and Kevin Brownlow, this documentary features rare behind-the-scenes footage of the great filmmaker and comic actor Charles Chaplin at work creating his films. The program offers commentary and interviews with numerous people, including those who knew and worked with Chaplin. Among those who speak about Chaplin's methods and life are Dean Riesner, Chaplin's brother Sidney Chaplin, Jackie Coogan, Alistair Cooke, Chaplin's daughter Geraldine Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Lita Grey, and Georgia Hale. Highlights include Chaplin home movies and long-lost footage from the shorts The Cure and The Immigrant. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide

Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film, Vol. 8 -- Comedy, A Serious Business is this eighth installment in the documentary miniseries directed by Kevin Brownlow. Produced by Thames Television in the U.K., the 13-part series was broadcast on HBO in 1980. This volume focuses on Hollywood's first filmed comedians, led by the comedy giants Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. Includes footage from Making a Living (1913) and The Pawnshop (1916), along with interviews from Hollywood legends Hal Roach, Jackie Coogan, and Harold Lloyd. Features narration by James Mason. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Brought to video by broadcast giant HBO, this tenth entry from the Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film series, Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film, Vol. 10 - The Man with the Megaphone is a close-up of silent-film directors and the art they created. A celebration of silent film and the directors with the 'big voice' this tape is innovative and shows us a time when there still was something original in Hollywood. This retrospective regales us with a look at 'tinsel town' when celluloid was void of color but rich in text. Narrated by actor James Mason (A Star is Born, The Desert Fox), this is the Hollywood all cinema buffs would truly like to remember.

~ C. Dwayne Smith, All Movie Guide

Hollywood's silent screen era is captured in this 13 volume series as narrated by James Mason. Volume 12 plays tribute to the era's greats, Clara Bow, Lillian Gish and John Gilbert. ~ All Movie Guide

This documentary is part of a 13 video series collection that looks at the history of Hollywood. Hollywood 3 is a celebration of how Hollywood grew into an industry and the people who shaped its personality. Hear about the memorable performers who made Hollywood famous. Some of the talented careers featured are: Cecil B. DeMille, Eric Von Stonheim, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Buster Keaton, Paul Malvern, Buddy Rogers, and Charlie Chaplin. See all of the comics and cowboys, the outlaws and lovers. ~ Beth Deki, All Movie Guide

Hollywood's silent screen era is captured in this 13 volume series as narrated by James Mason. Volume 5 discloses the stuntmen's secrets of the trade. ~ All Movie Guide

Hollywood's silent screen era is captured in this 13 volume series as narrated by James Mason. Volume 7 compares and contrasts directors De Mille and Von Stroheim. ~ All Movie Guide

In this comedy documentary begun during the construction of his new studios in 1917, and continued after its completion, Charlie Chaplin gives us a look, however staged, inside the Chaplin workplace. Although never completed by Chaplin, who wanted to use it to help fulfill his First National contract, it was reconstructed in 1982 by scholars Kevin Brownlow and David Gill from material they found at the Chaplin estate. They got the editing continuity from a page of titles they found in the Chaplin archive. Some of the footage was used in 1959 by Chaplin as a prologue to his compilation, The Chaplin Revue, and used again for the documentary on Chaplin, The Gentleman Tramp. The film begins with a stop-action sequence of the studio being built. Then it shows a dapper, 29-year-old Chaplin arriving at work, greeting his staff, reading his fan mail. His butler is instructed to bring his famous costume, which he retrieves from the studio vault. Chaplin is seen rehearsing his cast and coaching a starlet through a screen test. Viewers are taken into the Chaplin Studio laboratory where they're shown how film is developed and processed and see Chaplin at work in the editing room. Then Chaplin is seen dressing in his Tramp costume and applying the famous mustache. A few scenes from an unreleased Mutual follow, showing Chaplin,Eric Campbell and Albert Austin on the golf links. Ideas from these sequences were later used for Chaplin's The Idle Class. This would be Chaplin's final pairing with Campbell who died in an auto accident soon after filming. At the end of the work day Chaplin bids viewers 'Au Revoir." How To Make Movies offers a rare glimpse inside Chaplin's studio, and although he was always guarded about revealing his working methods, it gives viewers the feeling of those exciting, creative days. ~ Phil Posner, All Movie Guide