MovieChat Forums > The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011) Discussion > Heavily underappreciated but with one MA...

Heavily underappreciated but with one MAJOR flaw


First let me start by saying as someone who has loved film since as young as I can remember, this was a fascinating documentary series. Very comprehensive and detailed (some could argue to a fault). Although he ruined and spoiled a whole handful of the films, if this had been promoted more on a wider scale I believe it would have the average viewer going back to watch some of these lesser known classics. Personally, I would watch this with my memos app open on my phone and write down films I'd not heard about that sounded interesting. For that alone I love this series.

Now to the major flaw that really hurts this series. I'm not sure if any narrator could have sounded less interested in the material being presented. The accent is of no issue personally, however the exactly same identical monotone, droll vocal inflection on every sentence is just brutal. It sounded like he stood in the recording booth with a fact sheet in front of him and just read each one off. He reminded me of a college professor who isn't interested or at all enthusiastic about educating the student or viewer in this case. If you were even the tiniest bit drowsy he could put you to sleep in 20 minutes. Real shame because it undermines a lot of very good information.

I'd find it hard to believe anyone who doesn't have a passionate love for film would stick with this series all the way through.

Update: After just looking at his picture, how can he possibly have such a boring voice..

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AGREED!

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