Where I Stand: The Hank Greenspun Story

This well crafted documentary tells the story of Hank Greenspun who seems part Indiana Jones (some remarkable adventures secretly obtaining weapons for Israel) and part Zelig (he had a role in so many issues from the Mafia to McCarthy to Watergate) Greenspun had an amazing impact on the city of Las Vegas and helped advance civil rights, went after Joe McCarthy for the fraud he was, and influenced national politics as well.

The films skillfully blends good graphics with archival footage. Greenspun himself is a compelling and fascinating character. Anthony Hopkins' narration lends a gravitas to this project that adds to its style.

Almost as amazing as Greenspun's influence is the fact that few people today seem fully aware of who is was and what he accomplished. This inviting film biography should set the record straight.

Hank Goldspun was a courageous and benevolent rogue. He was a man anchored with the uncommon drive that most of us only read about or see in, well, the movies.

Where I Stand: The Hank Greenspun Story is inspired by Greenspun's autobiography. This film is an impressive, artistic weave of Mr. Goldspun's world -- an insightful collage of live footage, photographs, interviews, and Anthony Hopkin's narration. This work is smoothly sequenced, quick-paced, and an historically enticing delight. It is not at all the typical maudlin biography/documentary of an astounding life lived, but, instead, an astounding tapestry of that astounding life.

Where I Stand is an extremely well done documentary that should get wide distribution. The documentary profiles Hank Greenspun, who took on the mob, Joe McCarthy and the IRS. Greenspun is not well known outside of Las Vegas, but should be. The Director, Scott Goldstein, used archival footage, including some that had been stored out in the Nevada desert, to bring Hank Greenspun to life. Goldstein used Anthony Hopkins to narrate as if Greenspun were still alive, telling the story in the first person. From the opening clicks of the typewriter to the final chapter in the story, I was enthralled. Where I Stand is a winner of a documentary.

If like me, you knew nothing about Hank Greenspun, you will be amazed at how the events of his life touched every issue of the 20th Century, from Manhattan in the 20's to the beginnings of Las Vegas to the founding of Israel with stops along the way to battle Joseph McCarthy,break the racial barriers in Vegas, become a central figure in Watergate and protest nuclear testing in the desert. Greenspun didn't just touch history, he made history. His commitment and it's cost to his personal life are well told. This documentary brings the story to vivid life by managing to round up an incredible variety of famous--and lesser known--people who knew him well, and in some cases, had their lives changed by him. The cinematic quality and great production values bring the story to life in a way that few documentaries I've ever seen have. Highly recommended viewing.

This is an important story of a largely unknown hero. The story is told with perspective and heart that fairly and factually honors Hank, but also stirs self reflection on what each of us believe in and are committed to... and how we engage with those things in our own lives.

The film artfully moves with a pace that facilitates thinking deeply about the story long after the documentary ends. A work that fully tells a story and yet leaves the viewer not ready to have it end ... is rare.

This is a story that needed to be told. It gives clues of where to pay attention to the other remarkable stories happening around us.