Andy Warhol – A Documentary Film (PBS Home Video)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Documentary: B
Long
after his death, Andy Warhol continues to court controversy and while most
films and documentaries have focused on his eccentricities, art and influence,
some recent works have tried to do something different. George Hickenlooper’s Factory Girl (2006) offered several controversies including at
least one lawsuit, but is also notable for its negative portrayal of
Warhol. Ric Burns’ Andy Warhol – A Documentary Film (also 2006) also tries a different
take on Warhol by trying a pretty chronological take without taking a
judgmental position on him.
That
includes not unconditionally glorifying his art and influence, but carefully
charting it in a way previous documentary and narrative works did not take the
time to do. This happens through an
exceptional series of interviews and interesting takes on his life. We see more of what makes Pittsburgh such an
important influence and how he was witness to its early industrial days when so
much remained undeveloped. How being
there gave him a view of mass production, innovation, consumerism,
commercialism and the rise of the 20th Century city with all of its
wealth can muster.
Often,
the program will offer little about this period and suddenly, Warhol is
magically in New York a genius. This is
typical of the subtle deconstruction of interesting myths about Warhol
countered by facts and various takes on his rise to power and success. After seeing so many programs on him and
works by him, associated with him or including him that this has so much new to
offer says that the media still has a long time to catch up with Warhol and
what he did. This one will hold up for a
very long time.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 transfer is good, but has many interesting and
varied archival clips, some of which are not common. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has little in
the way of surrounds, but is clearly recorded.
There are no extras, but this is a single disc with about four hours has
plenty to offer and is solid.
- Nicholas Sheffo
