Elvis: Remembering ElvisOne of the greatest icons of the twentieth century, Elvis Presley has been the subject of numerous documentaries. This particular film focuses on The King's younger life, but devotes attention to most every aspect of his career, including his work as a Hollywood leading man. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Marilyn: Portrait of a LegendThis documentary on the life of the legendary
Marilyn Monroe concentrates primarily on her private life, including her marriages to James Dougherty,
Joe Dimaggio, and
Arthur Miller, and the beginning of her tumultuous career. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Sinatra & The Rat Pack: The Story Behind the Original Movie Ocean's 11The Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop) ruled Las Vegas in 1960. During the day they were filming the soon to be cult favorite Ocean's Eleven. At night they entertained crowds at the Sands Hotel doing a nightclub act together full of comedy and music. Sinatra & the Rat Pack utilized archival footage, newsreels, and interviews to show the viewer what it was like to be in that place at that time. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
The James Dean StoryA cut above the usual cheesy paste-up "tribute", The James Dean Story is imbued with a modicum of style thanks to fledgling film-director
Robert Altman. Most of the film consists of clips from Dean's three starring pictures (East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant), with tantalizing glimpses of his pre-star career. One such glimpse, a snippet from the 1951 TV religious special Hill Number One, has popped up in virtually every Dean retrospective since. Altman's inherent cinematic gifts are evident in the impressionistic "re-enactment" of Dean's fatal auto crash. Narrated by
Martin Gabel, The James Dean Story isn't terribly deep, but it's a good shorthand overview of one of the most powerful screen presences of the 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Beatles CelebrationThe Beatles continue to fascinate fans around the world as both a force in popular music and as a cultural phenomenon. This documentary takes a look at the career and lasting impact of Liverpool's Fab Four, bringing together photos and newsreel footage of the band at the height of their fame alongside interviews of several of their friends and associates, including Eric Clapton and Pete Best. This home video release also includes Beatlemania!, a documentary capturing the excitement of the group's return to England following their triumphant first visit to the United States in 1964. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
The Bells of CockaignePrincess Diana: The Uncrowned QueenPrincess Diana's fairy tale wedding turned out to be anything but. The entire world watched as her marriage crumbled, leaving her without a title. But she bounced back, becoming a leader in social causes and one of the most imitated women on the planet. The time between her rise to fame at 20 and her tragic death at 36 is profiled in the documentary Princess Diana: The Uncrowned Queen. Diana's marital troubles were often eclipsed by her battles with the press. Constantly hounded, she tried to use the paparazzi frenzy to her advantage while performing social work. The video features interviews with Diana's two children, William and Harry, and some of her friends. The public scrutiny of Diana extended all the way to her demise. But it is her charm and charisma that is remembered in Princess Diana: The Uncrowned Queen. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
Muhammad Ali The Greatest 1964-74Directed by
William Klein, this documentary chronicles the life of the legendary
Muhammad Ali, who began his career as an Olympic gold medalist under his birth name of
Cassius Clay. With a combination of brute physical power and a famously intimidating personal charisma,
Ali not only became notorious in the boxing world, but was also given a large amount of press surrounding his political views and conversion to the Muslim faith.
Klein, through archival footage and several interviews, captures the sports icon in his prime years as a boxer and pop cultural figure. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
Charlie Chaplin: His Life & WorkAs the immortal Little Tramp, silver screen legend Charlie Chaplin established himself as one of the greatest cinematic funnymen of all time. Born into the wrenching poverty of the London slums and determined to make a mark as one of the first true celebrities in Hollywood's rich history, Chaplin's universal brand of humor could bring smiles to the faces of people in any nation - regardless of their backgrounds and despite any language barriers. In this release, viewers are invited to trace Chaplin's footsteps back to early 20th Century London and explore his mother's desperate quest to feed her children and give them the very best in life despite her dire financial situation. As his voyage to America plays out amidst footage from some of his greatest cinematic achievements, the mask of the Little Tramp is slowly removed as the face of a man who strived for greatness slowly shifts into focus. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide