User Reviews

What a great piece of documentary film making. Beautifully shot, the film provides not only wonderful eye candy for all mid century modern enthusiasts. From the opening shot, to the last credit, this film captured my heart. And it pays tribute to one of the last, great mid century architects. I enjoyed how the story kept me involved and entertained. Mr. Kaptur's buildings are beautifully shot. And the interviews are thoughtful and honest. Best of all, to have the architect comment on his creations is such a treat. How wonderful to have this opportunity to honor a great man while he is still with us. Excellent Film!

We throughly enjoyed Quiet Elegance: The Architecture of Hugh M. Kaptur. For several years we've been visiting the area and wondered about the architecture of the older homes. It was also a great history lesson to learn the history of the architect as well as the homes and structures he designed and built. What is really amazing to us is that the 50 year old fire stations that he buit are still being used!

We especially enjoyed how the producers put Mr. Kaptur in a classic Lincoln to show us around! We not only got a tour of a few of his homes but we also got a tour of the Palm Springs area and learned quite a few tidbits that we never knew about Palm Springs.

This documentary about Hugh Kaptur, one of Palm Springs major Mid-Century Modern Architects, created by ThisnThat Films, is a wonderful look at the career of a great and humble man. I am fortunate to live with my husband, Michael, in a house designed by Kaptur, and so seeing him finally honored in this way is a truly magical experience, and made for a wonderful Modernism Week last February 2014. The documentary allows us to understand the reasoning behind his quiet and elegant designs, and shows the scope of his work from his origins as a draftsman for other architecture firms designing homes in Palm Springs in the 50s to breaking out on his own, becoming a licensed architect and creating some of the area's most iconic symbols of not only mid-century modern but post modern architecture. If you've ever been to Palm Springs, you've enjoyed, consciously or unconsciously, his brilliant work that went from sharp angles and slanting, soaring roof lines to a playful rounded voluptuous modernism which became part of his architectural vocabulary and is now in the lexicon of most modern architects. Kaptur's vision and brilliance is in his keeping things fresh and never repeating himself. The video is filled with interviews with Kaptur and with his colleagues from over the years, and the historic film footage documents his growth as the city grew, making so many things about Palm Springs more decipherable. For anyone addicted to Mid-Century architecture (and you are legion in the four corners of the globe!), viewing this documentary about one of it's legendary stars is a must. Hugh Kaptur is a real national treasure and this film helps us understand why he deserves his place on the walk of fame along Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon Drives.