Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: June 30, 1998
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767007298
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,365 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

" He created some of the most treasured paintings in history. But in his own lifetime, he was shunned by the artistic community and his works were virtually ignored.BIOGRAPHY presents a comprehensive look at a life of passion, genius and determination that is often overshadowed by one tormented act. Get the real, complete story of why the painter cut off his own ear, but also explore the rest of his remarkable life, including his complicated relationships with women and his long partnership with his brother Theo. Take an up-close look at his greatest masterpieces, and examine their importance and influence with world-famous scholars. Cliff Edwards, author of Van Gogh & God offers insight into the powerful obsessions that tormented him, and how his struggles as an artist affected his personal life. BIOGRAPHY presents a riveting profile of a life colored by passion and obsession, defined by a desperate act, and marked by genius the story of Vincent Van Gogh."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars California State University Professor Talks to A&E, September 20, 2003

By 

cybertext "cybertext" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biography - Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke Of Genius [VHS] (VHS Tape)

California State University Fullerton's Professor Patricia Craig, gave an eight hour lecture and informational session to the Arts and Entertainment for the award winning Biography series to sum up into this 2 hour video. Her interest brought new ideas and makes alive the story of an already vibrant history of a late-blooming Dutch born painter destined to take Paris by storm. Vincent Van Gogh's paintings are sold at Christie's Auction house at the highest value in the world's history of famous painting sales. A Japanese business man loved his purchase so much, he gave directions to be cremated with his Van Gogh. I am not an art history major, but there are only a few times you run into a professor that brings such passion into their work that they seem to inspire and motivate all those who come into her path. Combined with the style of the director, this A&E production was produced like none other. "Your profession is not what brings home a weekly paycheck. Your profession is what you are put on Earth to do. With such passion, with such intensity, it becomes spiritual in calling." - Van Gogh.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of one of the world's great artists, March 13, 2005

By 

Scott David Jenkins (dallas, texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biography: Vincent Van Gogh - A Stroke of Genius (DVD)

Vincent Van Gogh's work is some of the most sought after of any artist. Such a tragic life, for someone who gave so much, to experience so much pain. The pain and the beauty were intimately linked. As is the case with many who reach a level of artistic genius, the "opposites" the yin and yang are vital components of their work. The force behind the creative genius, what shaped his work, presented chronologically, is what this DVD does exceptionally well. It covers the loving Vincent, the highly emotional, passionate man plagued by disappointments, frustration, and health problems. The same emotional fury that gives us his beautiful art, led to a difficult life. The DVD does a great job of showing the man behind the work. I was particularly impressed with the photography of his paintings, I have never seen them presented more beautifully."A Stoke of Genius" interviews a number of Van Gogh scholars who give unique insight into Vincent's work and life. Deep down Vincent was a simple man, at his core he was spiritual, passionate, and loving. His art was an expression of this. But somehow looking at his life we see that although he could see the beauty, he was somehow not fully able to experience it. In his efforts though, he left us with breathtaking art. Art which is his window to the beautiful world we live in.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and to the point!, May 15, 2001

By 

"miztchr" (Chattanooga, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biography - Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke Of Genius [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I think this video gives lots of information, without being boring. The A&E's series is always good and I highly recommend this Van Gogh video if you want a good introduction to the life of one of the greatest artists in history!