MovieChat Forums > National Gallery (2014) Discussion > Fascinating but "Call the Editor" !!

Fascinating but "Call the Editor" !!

posted 9 years ago by film_ophile
6 replies | jump to latest

We saw this today at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; packed house. I thought it was extremely well done and I was very impressed by the sound quality, cinematography,and screenplay.After a lifetime of studying Art History, I was surprised and pleased to learn alot through the Museum's curators' talks.Another bonus was being able to experience the camera lingering on a number of amazing paintings that have not/do not travel. The film ends with a wonderful montage of Rembrandt portraits, like a treasure chest of jewels!

My only significant complaint is that it was TOOOOO long. I think it would have been a better film if about 1/4-1/3 had been cut

The way to have what we want
Is to share what we have.

[–] dutchbartolifan 9 years ago

I can't agree that it is too long.For a documentary THAT interesting and fascinating the motto is : the longer the better. Wish it had been 5 hours !
When one visits such museum, do you also stay only 2 hours?? I need all day and thus such documentary (taking the place of a museum visit) should be long as well.

Luckily in Holland the DVD will be released quite soon, so I have a lot to enjoy again and it's shown daily in my city on a big screen.

[–] cottonarboretum 9 years ago

yay Holland! Great country.

[–] benman46 9 years ago

Frederick Wiseman's documentaries tend to be very detailed in capturing every facet and nuance of the subject, in this case the National Gallery, that the length of the film is important. Cutting the film by a quarter would be detrimental to the end product. It would be a hatchet job. If it was too long for you, then tough. Wiseman has been doing this for decades and he's not going to change now.

[–] ironjade 9 years ago

I would have happily watched it for a few more hours.

"Say it with flowers . . . give her a Triffid."

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] petebart-27741 8 years ago

For me, I want a sequel. It shows how sophisticated the staff and gallery are. All these people were passionate about their jobs and the importance of art.

Go the Brits!