Trama

"Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa" is a compelling and interesting documentary film that explores the history of the technology, people, stories and industry influence of this lesser-known personal computer.

The film profiles important individuals involved in the creation of the computer, plus its life after cancellation, both as an entry-level Macintosh-compatible and as a collectible. Though there were other notable computers with graphical user interfaces before the Apple Lisa, it stands out as the clear foundation for what we all use today. Whether you use a Macintosh, Windows, iOS or Android, you're using the legacy of the Lisa. This 108-minute movie has three parts: Part I - Genesis: The Apple Lisa at Apple, Part II - Second Life: The Apple Lisa after Apple, Part III - Legacy: The Apple Lisa Today. Interviews with former key Apple employees involved: John Sculley, Former Apple CEO and the man known for "firing" Steve Jobs, Bill Atkinson, Former Apple Engineer on both Lisa and Macintosh, John Couch, Former Lisa Development Manager. Plus, many other former Apple employees, Apple dealers and enthusiasts/collectors. "Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa" is a fascinating look into the computer that really changed the way we use personal computers; it started the modern personal computer revolution. Not only did key people from the project go on to help create the Macintosh, but so did key hardware and software fundamentals. In the end, Apple even converted the Lisa into a Macintosh-compatible computer, before canceling it altogether. Find out why it mattered then, and why it's a valuable computer collectible now. The Apple Lisa was a failure... but it changed the world.—David Greelish, Producer/Director