Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Charlie's Angels'

Another recent trend in Hollywood is filming "untold" or "behind the scenes" TV films about previously broadcast TV series...a continuation of the cannibal-like cycle of television programming. Previous TV shows that got this treatment include "Gilligan's Island", "The Partridge Family" and "Three's Company". They're like "E! True Hollywood Stories" with doppelganger actors playing out all the juicy tidbits instead of relying on interviews or footage. This time, "Charlie's Angels" is the subject and, all in all, it isn't too bad. The makers of this flick have gathered 3 ladies who truly do look and sound like the ones they are portraying. That goes a long way in putting the project over. Helfer as Farrah Fawcett-Majors has the hair down pat and shares the wall-to-wall smile, tan and bone structure. The only big difference is that she isn't quite as ditsy-acting as the real lady was. Stamile as Kate Jackson does a tremendous job with the voice. It had to have taken work and she nails it. Chambers as Jaclyn Smith is startlingly right-on in both looks and mannerisms...even her posture and stride. They all are so good at inhabiting the original trio that it does give one that sense of being "Behind the Cameras". The film has ample humor in it as well, with intentionally hammy portrayals of Aaron Spelling, Jay Bernstein and Fred Silverman. There is also a running gag of show ideas that keep getting turned down even though later they were unbelievable successes. If one has seen any documentary on the series or biographies of the stars, there isn't much new here. Still, it's a fairly captivating two hours for those who enjoy '70's nostalgia, '70's clothing or the series itself. One drawback is the lunk-headed, humorless, one-sided portrayal of Lee Majors. It's true that he had some Cro-Magnon views on marriage, but this teleplay makes it impossible to understand why Farrah would have married him in the first place.

This made for TV movie was a hoot to watch! The 2 hours just flew by! Nice direction, fun 70's music, and well paced. Kudos for the incredible casting! Christina Chambers as Jaclyn Smith (My Favorite Angel) was so 'dead-on' in appearance and voice, that I had to look twice in some scenes. Lauren Stamile as Kate Jackson had her voice down so perfectly that it was darn right freaky. Tricia Helfer as Farrah Fawcett Majors had the hair and smile, but lacked the shy /giddy personality that I remember.

What could possibly be next?? Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of "Fantasy Island" and "Dynasty"......God help us all!

I watched "Behind the Camera" with my husband on a gray cold winter Sunday afternoon here in the UK. It brightened up our day by bringing back a lot of memories. I was in junior high school when "Charlie's Angels" was first broadcast and I remember the Time magazine cover and the zillions of rip off products capitalizing on Farrah's skyrocket ride to fame. The script tells the story of the making of "Charlie's Angels" effectively and blends in dozens of in jokes bound to be appreciated by those who relish 70s TV (I especially enjoyed the Baretta joke). The three ladies playing the Angels all give skillful performances, recreating the charms of Farrah, Kate, and Jackie while portraying the people behind the glitz. The script illustrates Farrah's struggles with finding a balance between her sudden stardom and the demands put on her by her husband the Six Million Dollar Man. The screen Kate Jackson battles for feminism and her career; I don't know how accurate the script is regarding the women's real life problems, but the film gives an idea of the issues of the time, the pressures of show business, and the meaning of the show for millions of viewers. The role of Jacyln Smith is the thinnest, as the movie shows her mildly troubled by how her character will appear to Smith's family and young girls. Christina Chambers (Maria of "Sunset Beach") fleshes out the role well and she looks particularly lovely. It was a stroke of genius to cast Dan Castellaneta as Aaron Spelling: his performance is supremely enjoyable. The set designers did an excellent job of recreating 70s interiors: I could have sworn I was looking back in time to my parents' living room. I am surprised that with all references to the Angels' hair and the scenes of blonds with identical flicks (some of them trick or treaters) there was no discussion of Farrah's do.

I could not stand "Charlie's Angels" when it was on the air but the film enchanted me by revealing the backstage gossip and recreating a time that now ironically looks mildly innocent compared to today and today's TV. All in all, "Behind the Camera" is an hugely entertaining tribute to an era as well as a TV show .

A very entertaining and well-done portrayal of life behind the scenes of the original Charlies Angels. All the angels did a fantastic job, especially the actress who portrayed Kate Jackson. At times it really seemed like the Farrah Fawcett story. Loved the little details, such as Ricardo Montalbon at Spellings party. Interestingly enough, Jackson left the show a few years later when producers refused to let her take the female lead in "Kramer Vs. Kramer", which led to an Oscar for the then unknown Meryl Streep. But supposedly Jackson went on to become the highest paid woman in television for "Scarecrow and Mrs. King". All and all not bad for fluff.

This is what you expect, watching one of these shows. Unauthorized, willing to shatter the phoniness surrounding the public facade:

The show was torn apart by feminists for its sexism. Nobody fell for the female empowerment claim.

It was a jiggle show, first, last, and always. The ladies were always in bikinis, tight or see through clothes, wet clothes, eye candy.

And the ladies were pushed into this against their will. Smith was morally conservative. Jackson refused to go braless and happy to quit. Fawcett hated her sex symbol image and how it affected her marriage.

There are some slow parts to the film. It's padded. The 90 minutes would have been far better at 60.