Spector

As Episode 1 of "Spector" (2022 release; 4 episodes of 50 to 55 min each) opens, it is "February 3, 2003" and someone is calling 911 to report a possible murder at the residence of music producer Phil Spector. We then go back in time tp Spector's youth in New York. His world is rocked to its core when his dad commits suicide when Phil was 9, and his mom and older sister weren't the easiest on Phil in subsequent years... At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest bio-documentary about the life and times of Phil Spector. The mini-series is directed by Sheena M. Joyce ("Framing John DeLorean"). Here she revisits Spector's meteoric rise in the music industry at a very young age in the early 1960s, only to then fall deeper and deeper into abusive behavior, culminating in the murder of Lana Clarkson in 2003. There have been prior documentaries and movies about Spector, but none go into the rich amount of detail about Lana Clarkson than does this series. Using ample archive footage, the series make clear how deeply flawed (and worse) Spector was. His daughter Nicole is interviewed extensively (and credited as a "consultant" in the end credits). Even better is British reporter Mick Brown, who seems to be the ultimate Spector connaisseur. In the end, this makes for somewhat grim but always compelling viewing.

This mini-series had been heavily promoted in recent weeks and I was very much looking forward to seeing it. "Spector" finally premiered on SHO last night, and I binge-streamed all 4 episodes right then and there. Even though there aren't any "new" revelations as such in this mini-series, I found it to be compelling viewing from start to finish. Such a massive talent, such a waste of life. Of course don't take my word for it, so please check it out and draw your own conclusion.

Well made documentary about the murder of Lana Clarkson by Phil Spector.

In a calm and informative manner, it starts with the crime and then goes back to who Spector was and how he arrived at his fame.

The second part concentrates on Clarkson and her career with the third looking at the circumstances of the meeting.

Although very enjoyable the last episode covers the trial and then the retrial quite quickly. I would have preferred a more detailed analysis of the evidence, especially in the retrial.

Well made documentary about the murder of Lana Clarkson by Phil Spector.

In a calm and informative manner, it starts with the crime and then goes back to who Spector was and how he arrived at his fame.

The second part concentrates on Clarkson and her career with the third looking at the circumstances of the meeting.

Although very enjoyable the last episode covers the trial and then the retrial quite quickly. I would have preferred a more detailed analysis of the evidence, especially in the retrial.

A moving and revealing series on the lives and tragedies that were Phil Spector and Lana Clarkson, "Spector" is a steady and sombre look at the world of Entertainment and the terrible price paid by the victims in its dark and sordid side.

Chronicling Spector's life from his troubled background in a dysfunctional family to his peak as a musical artist and producer to the scandal of his murder of actress Clarkson the documentary is a direct and disturbing portrayal of a madman abetted by society and justice served. With interviews of family and associates of the main subjects and the people involved in the trials plus archival footage the picture emerges of a man whose talent and charisma masked a narcissistic fiend with a bent for control, violence, intimidation and eventually murder. The film also does adequate justice to the victim in depicting her as an attractive and easy-going woman who did her best to achieve stardom in the cutthroat jungle known as Hollywood leading to a fateful night in Spector's mansion that ended the dream for good. The footage of the lengthy trial in all of its twists and turns is quite compelling and is the highlight of the series.

Having recently listened to "Back to Mono (1958-1969)", this documentary adequately filled in gaps in my knowledge of the Spector myth and legend. One of the most interesting and odious legacies in the history of music, Phil Spector's life is a cautionary and tragic tale on the price of fame and talent. This is a must see for fans of music, True Crime and cinema.