George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey

"George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey" is a loving tribute to the craft of Stevens by his son, George Stevens Jr.. But like1995's film about William Wellman by his son ("Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick"), the movie isn't really a biography but a filmography. So, you only learn a bit about the man's personal life...but only a bit and it's NOT the movie's intention of being a biography. Instead, it focuses almost exclusively on the various big films of Stevens (like most filmographies it only covers the major movies). As such, it's very well made, interesting and is able to explain his uniqueness as a director. Well worth watching, very well made and filled with nice interviews and film clips.

Written, directed, and narrated by his son. Dad had worked with just all the HUGE big stars. One of the earliest full length films that George senior had directed was Alice Adams, starring Katherine Hepburn. They would make three films together. We watch a whole lot of a couple films by Stevens. Good to see comments from Frank Capra and various other producers and directors. Junior also says Dad was greatly influenced by Triumph of the Will, Hitler's propaganda film, for its style, sharpness, and uniformity. Stevens was also part of the group that recorded color film portions of WW II milestones. Including the D day landing, even at Dachau. Rare-stuff. Some of the scenes from his early films in the 1930s went on for quite a while. Longer than they probably needed to. It's quite interesting, over-all.

George Stevens, Jr. Produced and narrates this look at his father's life and work. It includes interviews with Katharine Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Hermes Pan, Joel McCrea, Warren Beatty, and Mrs. Stevens, all of which are very interesting.

The most fascinating parts of this documentary are the ones which show footage from Stevens' own camera. There is on the set material from various films and his amazing World War II films of the liberation of Paris, Dachau, and the Normandy invasion. Staggering and stunning.

This perhaps deserved its own documentary, and I believe that later on, the footage was released separately.

Film clips include parts of: Alice Adams, The More the Merrier, Shane, Diary of Anne Frank, Giant, A Place in the Sun, The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Shelley Winters, not interviewed here, sadly, tells the story in her autobiography of Stevens having them rehearse without dialogue. It's perhaps the secret of the intimacy that is often captured in his films. "The More the Merrier" clip is that of an improvised love scene between McCrea and Arthur.

Someone commented here that it's not for Stevens Jr. To canonize his father. Being in the field of classic film, I disagree. This may not be a perfect documentary, and it may not dwell on his father's failures, such as the overblown The Greatest Story Ever Told.

The common problem faced by many of these great filmmakers is that as the studio system collapsed and Hollywood changed, it was difficult for them to adjust.

The point is this: yes, the legacy speaks for itself - but who is there to hear it speak if the families don't honor their famous relative? A son's insight may be biased, but it's also more enlightened in many respects.

If anyone believes there is some huge movement afoot to see that these wonderful contributors to film history are remembered, they're wrong. Even the theaters once devoted to classic film hesitate to show them now because they can't make any money.

I say bravo to anyone willing to make a documentary on any aspect of classic film.

This is an outstanding documentary on the life of George Stevens, 2 time Oscar winner for best director.

I never knew that he started out on comedies and that the advent of World War 11 had such a profound effect on him,that he never made another comedy after returning from the war.

The man was a genius at comedy. His slow-pace belief as depicted in 1942's "Woman of the Year" was terrific to watch. Remember the scene with Katharine Hepburn trying to make breakfast for Spencer Tracy?

Stevens was an American icon. His American Trilogy included "A Place in the Sun," as well as "Shane," and "Giant." His World War 11 classic, "The Diary of Anne Frank," shall live on in the hearts of all of us.

A fair-minded man, he went on the attack when Cecil B. DeMille demanded that everyone sign a loyalty oath in an attempt to drive out Joseph L. Mankiewicz from the film industry.

The following people received acting Oscars under the direction of Stevens: Charles Coburn, "The More, the Merrier, (1943) and Shelley Winters, "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1959).

The following people received Oscar nominations under the direction of Stevens but did not win: Katharine Hepburn- "Alice Adams," and "Woman of the Year." Brandon De Wilde and Jack Palance for "Shane," Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters for "A Place in the Sun," as well as James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Mercedes McCambridge all for "Giant." Also: Ed Wynn for "The Diary of Anne Frank."

How ironic that 1962's "The Greatest Story Ever Told," was a colossal failure.

"George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey" is a testimonial of Steven's son to his father. Stevens was a most talented director, whose work spanned many years and whose films embraced many genres. He was a fine comedy director and also directed musicals with class. His action films were spirited and his romantic dramas moving. Many critics have tended to first overrate, then upon re-evaluation underrate Steven's work. My feeling is that Stevens chalked up a remarkable record of high quality films throughout his career, and this bio provides a wide range of his work, through film clips, interviews by actors, producers and directors, and through a loving narration by George Stevens, Jr. This is a must for Stevens fans and an enjoyable film for others.