Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000006QI1
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,764 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

His flamboyant lifestyle epitomized the glittering excess of the roaring twenties. His classic stories made him one of the most important American authors of the century. In books like Tender is the Night, and The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald captured the mood and manners of his time. It was a subject he knew well Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda lived a notoriously hedonistic life marked by lavish celebrations and madcap exploits like riding down Fifth avenue on the top of taxicabs and jumping in the fountain at the legendary Plaza hotel. Incredible footage shows the 20s playboy in his element, while interviews with family members and confidantes present an intimate portrait of a literary giant whose life was touched by tragedy. And authors like Tobias Wolff and Joseph Heller reflect on Fitzgeraldís legacy and lasting influence. Explore the bittersweet life of F. Scott Fitzgerald the man who gave the Jazz Age its name.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's worth your time, teachers, January 18, 2001

By 

Charlotte (Watertown, SD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biography - F. Scott Fitzgerald [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I usually show this video before or during my unit on The Great Gatsby; doing so makes the time period of the '20s come a little more alive and the type of characters Fitzgerald writes about a little more understandable and believeable. Especially strong is the characterization of Zelda -- it's easier to teach the "Fitzgerald heroine" concept after they've seen the type of woman to whom Fitzgerald was attracted. An added plus is Edward Herrmann (Klipspringer in the Redford/Farrow video) and his commentary, as well as commentary by Scott and Zelda's granddaughter.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Intimate Portrait Of A Literary Legend, July 29, 2001

By 

Christine Lynn Jones - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biography - F. Scott Fitzgerald [VHS] (VHS Tape)

F. Scott Fitzgerald defined a generation. His extravagant lifestyle and unsurpassed talent as a writer made him one of the twentieth centuries most intriguing figures. Yet underneath the glitzy persona lie a vulnerable man with a frail ego and a tendency toward self-destruction. A & E Biographies takes a candid look at this multi-faceted man in the well-researched video presentation of F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer.

Beginning with a history on the roaring twenties, the prime time of Fitzgerald's life and work, this documentary span the era that influenced the man and gives a detailed account of the man who symbolized youth in a time of decadence. Fitzgerald's love of writing, love of liquor, and tumultuous marriage to his beautiful wife Zelda are all thoroughly covered in this 50-minute video. Rare photographs, film clips, and interviews with confidantes, family members, and other literary greats such as Joseph Heller, help to bring to life the story behind F. Scott Fitzgerald. Any fan of his won't be disappointed, and any student, who is required to read his work, will find special meaning behind the words after watching this biography. My highest recommendation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid intro to Fitzgerald's writings and life, May 8, 2009

By 

fra7299 "fra7299" (California, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Biography - F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer (A&E DVD Archives) (DVD)

A and E's documentary on the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald is informative and a valuable resource for an introduction to the author or his works. This biography not only gives insight into Fitzgerald's life, but also gives some background into what was the roaring 20s. The documentary delves into Fitzgerald's early years, as young Fitzgerald wanted to make something of himself after seeing his father struggle after losing his job. Francis was able to use his gifted ability as a writer to gain acceptance as an outsider in school, and then progress into his work as an author. He met up with his "golden girl", Zelda, and, after they married, their lives became the symbol of the time period.
.
Many of Fitzgerald's novels are chronicled, and it is interesting how many characters and events within these novels were based upon the author's life. It captures the many setbacks that Fitzgerald faced during the years with Zelda, who battled with schizophrenia a good deal of their marriage, and eventually how Zelda spent her remaining years in an asylum. This documentary evidences how both Fitzgerald and Zelda influenced the Jazz Era with their extravagant lifestyle and life of excess. It gives a brief account of the Lost Generation, and the friendship and rivalry Fitzgerald experienced with Hemingway. One unique element that Fitzgerald possessed was his perfectionist-like nature, as he spent painstaking amounts of time editing and revising draft after draft of his works. Although Fitzgerald's writing fizzled out shortly after his death in 1940 from a massive heart attack, it reemerged in the 50s and 60s and he became the icon he is today.

This is a great synopsis of Fitzgerald's life, and while it focuses much on the negative aspects of his life such as drinking and reckless behavior, ultimately it gives great insight into the genius of the author as a craftsman. One word of caution for instructors who are reading The Great Gatsby, however. There is a short summary of The Great Gatsby, and a spoiler is included for the ending. You may want to skip over this brief part, which is about 2 minutes, if you are reading this novel.

Over all, this is well worth your time. Recommended!