Films about Films
by tristanspill | created - 27 Dec 2017 | updated - 27 Dec 2021 | PublicDocumentaries about film making and film makers
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1. Room 237 (I) (2012)
Not Rated | 102 min | Documentary
An exploration of various interpretations of Stanley Kubrick's horror film, The Shining (1980).
Director: Rodney Ascher | Stars: Bill Blakemore, Geoffrey Cocks, Juli Kearns, John Fell Ryan
Votes: 23,248 | Gross: $0.26M
2. Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures (2001)
Not Rated | 142 min | Documentary, Biography
The career and life of Stanley Kubrick is explored through pictures, clips from his films, his old home movies, comments from his colleagues and a narration by Tom Cruise.
Director: Jan Harlan | Stars: Katharina Kubrick, Malcolm McDowell, Stanley Kubrick, Barbara Kroner
Votes: 12,252
3. The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004)
TV-PG | 98 min | Documentary, History
Documentary about the art of film editing. Clips are shown from many groundbreaking films with innovative editing styles.
Director: Wendy Apple | Stars: Kathy Bates, Zach Staenberg, Jodie Foster, Michael Tronick
Votes: 3,209
4. Visions of Light (1992)
92 min | Documentary, History
Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography, illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from The Birth of a Nation (1915) to Do the Right Thing (1989).
Directors: Arnold Glassman, Todd McCarthy, Stuart Samuels | Stars: Conrad L. Hall, John Bailey, Vilmos Zsigmond, Charles Lang
Votes: 3,370 | Gross: $0.80M
5. No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos (2008)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary
The lifelong friendship of the great Hungarian-born cinematographers László Kovács and Vilmos Zsigmond and their impact on American cinema.
Director: James Chressanthis | Stars: Karen Black, Peter Bogdanovich, Sandra Bullock, James L. Carter
Votes: 425
6. Cinematographer Style (2006)
86 min | Documentary
110 of the world's top cinematographers discuss the art of how and why films look the way they do.
Director: Jon Fauer | Stars: Remi Adefarasin, Russ T. Alsobrook, Howard A. Anderson III, Howard A. Anderson
Votes: 395
7. Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Biography
In 2001 Jack Cardiff (1914-2009) became the first director of photography in the history of the Academy Awards to win an Honorary Oscar. But the first time he clasped the famous statuette ... See full summary »
Director: Craig McCall | Stars: Jack Cardiff, Martin Scorsese, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall
Votes: 1,364 | Gross: $0.02M
8. The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)
Not Rated | 118 min | Documentary
Follows the routines of those employed at Studio Ghibli, including filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki as they work to release two films simultaneously, The Wind Rises and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
Director: Mami Sunada | Stars: Hayao Miyazaki, Yumiko Miyoshi, Toshio Suzuki, Shinsuke Nonaka
Votes: 5,680
9. Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner (2007 Video)
214 min | Documentary
The definitive three-and-a-half hour documentary about the troubled creation and enduring legacy of the science fiction classic Blade Runner (1982), culled from 80 interviews and hours of never-before-seen outtakes and lost footage.
Director: Charles de Lauzirika | Stars: Harrison Ford, Daryl Hannah, Michael Deeley, Joanna Cassidy
Votes: 2,128
10. Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)
R | 96 min | Documentary
Documentary that chronicles how Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979) was plagued by extraordinary script, shooting, budget, and casting problems--nearly destroying the life and career of the celebrated director.
Directors: Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor Coppola | Stars: Dennis Hopper, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, George Lucas
Votes: 23,329 | Gross: $1.32M
11. The Making of Fanny and Alexander (1984)
Not Rated | 110 min | Documentary
A chronicle of the making of Ingmar Bergman's Oscar winning film.
Director: Ingmar Bergman | Stars: Daniel Bergman, Ingmar Bergman, Gunnar Björnstrand, Allan Edwall
Votes: 1,024
12. Side by Side (2012)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary
The documentary investigates the history, process and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation.
Director: Christopher Kenneally | Stars: Derek Ambrosi, Michael Ballhaus, Andrzej Bartkowiak, Dion Beebe
Votes: 13,781 | Gross: $0.03M
13.
Century of Cinema (1995–1998)
Episode:
A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies
(1995)
225 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Martin Scorsese describes his initial and growing obsession with films from the 1940s and 50s as the art form developed and grew with clips from classics and cult classics.
Directors: Martin Scorsese, Michael Henry Wilson | Stars: Martin Scorsese, Allison Anders, Kathryn Bigelow, Francis Ford Coppola
Votes: 5,165
14. Regarding Buñuel (2000)
103 min | Documentary
Documentary about spanish director Luis Buñuel.
Directors: José Luis López-Linares, Javier Rioyo | Stars: José Sancho, Carlos Fuentes, Claudio Isaac, Michel Piccoli
Votes: 371
15. Burden of Dreams (1982)
Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary
A documentary following German auteur Werner Herzog as he deals with difficult actors, bad weather and getting a boat over a mountain, all in an effort to make his film Fitzcarraldo (1982).
Director: Les Blank | Stars: Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards
Votes: 8,180
16. Casting By (2012)
TV-14 | 89 min | Documentary, Biography
The surprising, never-before-told tale of the indispensable yet unsung Casting Director - Iconoclasts whose keen eye, exquisite taste and gut instincts redefined Hollywood.
Director: Tom Donahue | Stars: Deborah Aquila, Risa Bramon Garcia, Ellen Chenoweth, Marion Dougherty
Votes: 1,656 | Gross: $0.01M
17. Tales from the Script (2009)
Not Rated | 105 min | Documentary
War stories and life lessons from the industry's top writers.
Director: Peter Hanson | Stars: Allison Anders, Jane Anderson, Doug Atchison, John August
Votes: 1,559 | Gross: $0.01M
18. Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011)
R | 95 min | Documentary
A documentary on DIY producer/director Roger Corman and his alternative approach to making movies in Hollywood.
Director: Alex Stapleton | Stars: Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Paul W.S. Anderson
Votes: 2,679 | Gross: $0.01M
19. Drew: The Man Behind the Poster (2013)
Not Rated | 97 min | Documentary, Biography
A documentary on legendary movie-poster artist Drew Struzan.
Director: Erik Sharkey | Stars: Greg Aronowitz, Timothy Bradstreet, Joanna Cassidy, Ernie Cefalu
Votes: 1,079
20. Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005)
TV-14 | 86 min | Documentary
From 1970-1977, six low budget films shown at midnight transformed the way we make and watch films.
Director: Stuart Samuels | Stars: John Waters, Ben Barenholtz, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Alan Douglas
Votes: 1,641
21. Living in Oblivion (1995)
R | 90 min | Comedy, Drama
This ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers takes place during one day on the set of a non-budget movie.
Director: Tom DiCillo | Stars: Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Danielle von Zerneck
Votes: 20,229 | Gross: $1.15M
22. Lost in La Mancha (2002)
R | 89 min | Documentary
Terry Gilliam's doomed attempt to get his film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018), off the ground.
Directors: Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe | Stars: Terry Gilliam, Johnny Depp, Jeff Bridges, Tony Grisoni
Votes: 12,069 | Gross: $0.73M
23. These Amazing Shadows (2011)
Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary
Tells the history and importance of The National Film Registry, a roll call of American cinema treasures that reflects the diversity of film, and indeed the American experience itself.
Directors: Paul Mariano, Kurt Norton | Stars: Jeff Adachi, James H. Billington, Robin Blaetz, Brooks Boliek
Votes: 1,768
24. 24x36: A Movie About Movie Posters (2016)
82 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary exploring the birth, death, and resurrection of the illustrated movie poster.
Director: Kevin Burke | Stars: Paul Ainsworth, Dave Alexander, Andrea Alvin, David Byrd
Votes: 932
25. The Shark Is Still Working (2007)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary
After three decades, Jaws continues to intrigue, thrill and frighten viewers. This documentary focuses on the many ways Jaws has helped to shape common elements of pop culture.
Director: Erik Hollander | Stars: Steve Alten, Joe Alves, Roy Arbogast, Steven Awalt
Votes: 810
26. Score (2016)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the cinematic art of the film musical score, and the artists who create them.
Director: Matt Schrader | Stars: Marco Beltrami, Jon Burlingame, Leonard Maltin, Bill Field
Votes: 4,894 | Gross: $0.10M
27. Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004 Video)
151 min | Documentary, History, Sci-Fi
An in-depth making of documentary about the original Star Wars trilogy, covering the productions of the three films and their impact on popular culture.
Directors: Edith Becker, Kevin Burns | Stars: Robert Clotworthy, Walter Cronkite, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg
Votes: 5,295
28. Billy Wilder Speaks (2006 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 71 min | Documentary
Billy Wilder discusses his life and films in interviews filmed by Volker Schlondorff over two weeks in 1988.
Directors: Gisela Grischow, Volker Schlöndorff | Stars: Jean Arthur, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Gary Cooper
Votes: 454
29. Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)
TV-14 | 119 min | Documentary
A look at 1970s Hollywood when it was known as New Hollywood, and the director was the star of the movie.
Director: Kenneth Bowser | Stars: Martin Scorsese, Dennis Hopper, Peter Bogdanovich, Sam Peckinpah
Votes: 3,126
30. My Voyage to Italy (1999)
PG-13 | 246 min | Documentary
World-renowned director Martin Scorsese narrates this journey through his favorites in Italian cinema.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Star: Martin Scorsese
Votes: 3,540 | Gross: $0.01M
31. Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015)
PG-13 | 79 min | Documentary
Filmmakers discuss how Francois Truffaut's 1966 book "Cinema According to Hitchcock" influenced their work.
Director: Kent Jones | Stars: Wes Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, David Fincher, Bob Balaban
Votes: 7,214 | Gross: $0.30M
32. Cameraperson (2016)
Not Rated | 102 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Exposing her role behind the camera, Kirsten Johnson reaches into the vast trove of footage she has shot over decades around the world. What emerges is a visually bold memoir and a revelatory interrogation of the power of the camera.
Director: Kirsten Johnson | Stars: Kirsten Johnson, Aisha Bukar, Eric W. Davis, Jacques Derrida
Votes: 3,234 | Gross: $0.10M
33. The Beast Within: The Making of 'Alien' (2003 Video)
178 min | Documentary, Sci-Fi
This made-for-DVD documentary treats horror and science fiction film fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Alien, the terrifying classic about a spaceship crew trapped with a ... See full summary »
Director: Charles de Lauzirika | Stars: Bolaji Badejo, Martin Bower, Gordon Carroll, Veronica Cartwright
Votes: 707
34. Great Directors (2009)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary
Ten of the greatest filmmakers in the world passionately discuss their craft in Angela Ismailos' hugely entertaining documentary GREAT DIRECTORS.
Director: Angela Ismailos | Stars: David Lynch, Catherine Breillat, Bernardo Bertolucci, Liliana Cavani
Votes: 504 | Gross: $0.02M
35. Superior Firepower: The Making of 'Aliens' (2003 Video)
185 min | Documentary, Sci-Fi
This feature-length documentary, made especially for the 2003 Aliens (1986) DVD release, is incredibly informative with all its interviews with both the cast and crew, as well as behind the... See full summary »
Director: Charles de Lauzirika | Stars: Simon Atherton, Jay Benedict, Michael Biehn, James Cameron
Votes: 661
36. The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (2006)
150 min | Documentary
Slavoj Zizek examines famous films in a philosophical and a psychoanalytic context.
Director: Sophie Fiennes | Star: Slavoj Zizek
Votes: 7,375
37. Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)
Unrated | 94 min | Documentary
An exploration of the history and emotional power of cinema sound, as revealed by legendary sound designers and visionary directors, via interviews, clips from movies, and a look at their actual process of creation and discovery.
Director: Midge Costin | Stars: Gary Rydstrom, Steven Spielberg, Teresa Eckton, Thomas A. Edison
Votes: 2,249
38. Memory: The Origins of Alien (2019)
Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, History
An in-depth voyage into the sci-fi film Alien (1979) with the visionary filmmakers who created it. See how one of the most terrifying movies of all time came to life 40 years ago, inspired by ancient mythology and our universal fears.
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe | Stars: Clarke Wolfe, Nicholas Cull, William Linn, Dan O'Bannon
Votes: 3,503 | Gross: $0.03M
39. Baadasssss Cinema (2002 TV Movie)
58 min | Documentary
Filmmaker Isaac Julien uses film clips and interviews to illustrate the history of the so-called "blaxploitation" genre.
Director: Isaac Julien | Stars: Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Melvin Van Peebles, Elvis Mitchell
Votes: 763
40. The Pervert's Guide to Ideology (2012)
Not Rated | 136 min | Documentary
Philosopher Slavoj Zizek examines the hidden themes and existential questions asked by world renowned films.
Director: Sophie Fiennes | Star: Slavoj Zizek
Votes: 7,544 | Gross: $0.07M
41. The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011)
Not Rated | 62 min | Documentary, History
A comprehensive history of the medium and art of motion pictures.
Stars: Mark Cousins, Juan Diego Botto, Aleksandr Sokurov, Norman Lloyd
Votes: 4,849
42. Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema (2018– )
TV-14 | 840 min | Documentary, History
A documentary that spans 13 decades and five continents to give a guided tour of the art and craft of movies as told by female filmmakers.
Stars: Tilda Swinton, Adjoa Andoh, Jane Fonda, Sharmila Tagore
Votes: 396
43. History of Hollywood (2018)
Documentary
Hollywood: History, Industry, Art. Explore the history of Hollywood, from Edison and the birth of film to the rise of the internet. In this series you will learn about Hollywood and how it ... See full synopsis »
Star: Peter Decherney
44. Voir (2021)
TV-MA | 20 min | Documentary
Film lovers examine the cinematic moments that thrilled, perplexed, challenged and forever changed them in this collection of visual essays.
Stars: Taylor Ramos, Drew McWeeny, Tony Zhou, Walter Chaw
Votes: 1,692
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