Product Details

• Actors: Dave Mann (II)
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Winstar
• VHS Release Date: August 1, 2000
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00004TJQS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,892 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This edition of The Directors series is one of the best, not only because Milos Forman is an engaging raconteur, but because the number of films he made between 1965 and 2000 is well matched to the one-hour format of this series. Almost every film--from his Czech debut Loves of a Blonde to Man on the Moon--is given fair screen time in a broad survey. This overview is further enhanced by delightful interview clips with Forman, whose boyish charm is infectiously upbeat (and admirable, considering he lost his parents to the Nazi concentration camps). As one of the few filmmakers in the series who isn't American by birth, Forman also has a different perspective on America and his success in the Hollywood system, beginning with 1975's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. That Oscar winner established many of the themes that dominate Forman's work, and his lively anecdotes compensate for star Jack Nicholson's absence as an interviewee. Equally memorable is Forman's recollection of working with James Cagney on Ragtime (the great actor's final feature film), and receiving a cherished memento while visiting Cagney's home. Among the program's other interviewees, Amadeus Oscar-winner F. Murray Abraham recalls Forman's direction to play the composer Salieri as Abraham had previously played Cyrano and Iago--an equal blend of "romance and manipulation." That kind of simple, eloquent guidance is a trademark for Forman, who humorously notes that "I knew I'd made it" when his name appeared as an answer in the New York Times crossword puzzle. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First and FORemost, March 13, 2001

By 

Bradford Van Slooten (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Directors - Milos Forman (DVD)

There are 4 reason why to get this DVD. 2 gold statues and 2 great motion pictures. If the standard for excellence in directing films is how many Academy Awards one recieves for Best Director; then Forman has to be considered as one of the best directors of all time.

Forman has won two "Best Director" Academy Awards and he made two of the best films of all time. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus.

I will never forget the time when I saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for the first time. I was completely blown away...I just sat there in the theater for a few minutes afterword...just trying to collect my thoughts about what I've just seen. It was a very powerful and moving motion picture experience.

The reason why I took a look at this AFI documentary special was to learn more about Forman and the other films he made. I didn't know of any other Forman film and I wanted to learn more. This special DVD showed me glimpses of his deft, surgeons touch in making compelling drama. He has quite a touch in directing riveting and meaningful drama.