Product Details

• Actors: James Lipton, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Alec Baldwin, Arthur Penn
• Producers: Caroline Kaplan, Christian Barcellos, Eileen Lanci, Frances Berwick, Jasmin Proios Gammon
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 3
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Shout Factory Theatr
• DVD Release Date: November 7, 2006
• Run Time: 65 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000H6SY1Y
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,328 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Television > TV Series By Letter > I > Inside the Actors Studio

• For more information about "Inside The Actors Studio - Icons (Paul Newman / Robert Redford / Barbra Streisand / Clint Eastwood)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Since its debut in 1994, Inside the Actors Studio has become an institution of artistic inquiry as vitally important as the legendary subjects of its interviews. In presenting in-depth interviews with Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, and Clint Eastwood, this three-disc set of Icons is not just the inaugural ITAS release on DVD, but a shining example of the show's consistent excellence as a cultural touchstone. As Dean Emeritus of the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School (where Lee Strasberg and others once taught such future stars as Newman, James Dean, and Marlon Brando), series host James Lipton brings his own passion for acting to a forum that is both reverently devoted to craft (with minimal discussion of politics and a refreshing avoidance of gossip) and remarkably candid in terms of personal revelation. Lipton's high-toned pomposity was certainly ripe for Will Ferrell's satirical spoofing on Saturday Night Live, but it's satire borne of affection, and Lipton's tastefully distinguished lines of inquiry are precisely what makes ITAS an enduring attraction to some of the biggest names in the history of film, TV, theater, and music. In addition to his astute questioning (at turns probing, playful, and thoroughly researched), Lipton provides eloquent "flashback" introductions here that place these essential interviews into richly informative perspective.

The interviews themselves are truly unique, each qualifying as definitive explorations of the careers being discussed. Revealing details are too numerous to mention, but highlights include Newman's humble account (in the series' premiere episode) of his early struggles as an actor who lacked natural talent; Redford's lament over the loss of time-honored American traditions (not to mention his practical jokes played upon Newman); Streisand's life-shaping experience with parents she never really knew (which fed her unique precociousness as a gifted performer and perfectionist); and Eastwood's generously educational analysis of his own directorial approach. As always, the interviews end with Lipton's time-honored questionnaire (inspired by French talk show master Bernard Pivot), a kind of Rorschach test for his guests including questions like "what is your favorite curse word?" and "what sound or noise do you love?" (Streisand's response: "The sound of orgasms"), providing a perfect lead-in to Q&A sessions with the attending master-class students of the Actors Studio. The intimate setting, Lipton's searching but non-threatening inquiry, and a pervasive love of performance are what make these interviews special, worthy of multiple viewings as priceless glimpses into the minds and personalities of icons who've clearly earned that designation. Numerous outtakes are included from Newman, Redford, and Eastwood, but not, tellingly, for Streisand. One can only wonder, was that her decision, or Lipton's? --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

For more than twelve years, James Lipton has sat down with over 200 of the world's most accomplished artists - ranging from actors and directors to musicians and comedians - for penetrating, fascinating interviews. Lipton's studious research and enlightened curiosity has inspired his guests to open up and confess their deepest thoughts about their craft since the series premiere in 1994.

Inside The Actors Studio has earned a reputation of being a forum where guests can speak fearlessly, openly and honestly about the things that matter most to them: their craft and the crucial events of their lives and careers.

The series is seen in 80 million homes on the Bravo cable network and has received 12 consecutive Emmy nominations including this year's nod for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. This set features some of the most popular actors in Hollywood and includes the interview with Barbra Streisand that broke records for the series drawing 1.14 million viewers.

Four episodes including:
Clint Eastwood (2003)
Paul Newman (1994)
Robert Redford (2004)
Barbra Streisand (2003)

SPECIAL FEATURES: "James Lipton: Flashbacks" (new introductions with James Lipton) "Great Moments That Didn't Make The Cut" (previously unseen portions of the original interviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Glimpses into the Careers and Creative Processes of Four Legends, December 1, 2006

By	Ed Uyeshima (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It's hard to believe it's been a dozen years since James Lipton started his seminal interview series on the Bravo cable network, "Inside the Actors Studio," but it has proven to be one of the more substantive entries in the talk show genre. With one guest per show, the focus has always been on the professional dimension, specifically on the craft of acting as experienced by the subject. Recently, in an obvious attempt to attract broader audiences, Lipton has been recruiting younger, relatively unproven talents with meager track records, and the results have been less than revelatory. Fortunately, this three-disc DVD set shows how good the show can be when the subject has already reached legendary status.

Four figures, all past their sixtieth birthdays and all prominent film stars who have worn multiple hats over the past half-century, are spotlighted here - Paul Newman from 1994, Barbra Streisand and Clint Eastwood from 2003 and Robert Redford from 2004. As proven clearly with these interviews, Lipton has been amazingly consistent with each show beginning with the sometimes mind-numbing depth of research he gathers in preparation, i.e., his voluminous stack of blue index cards. He starts the conversation by probing the guest about his or her origins and tracking them chronologically through personal and professional milestones and achievements. The difference between Lipton and other talk show hosts is that he does not dwell on tabloid gossip or personal exposés but rather draws out what it took for the actor to achieve certain noteworthy performances or accomplishments.

Each star reveals quite a bit of his or her creative process along the way, and much of the credit for the disclosures has to be given to Lipton. Even though he can come across as a pompous sycophant, he compensates by eliciting truly fascinating responses from his subjects. As the first guest of the series and the only one of the four who is an actual Actors Studio alumnus, Newman is inevitably the most fluent when discussing acting techniques and characteristically the most modest about his talents. Both Redford and Eastwood get more animated talking about their roles as filmmakers than actors, though both share generous amounts of information about their years of struggle.

Unsurprisingly, the Streisand interview is the most wide-ranging since a particularly worshipful Lipton and she discuss her singing career and politics as much as her acting and filmmaking ventures. Of course, all four are subjected to the familiar Bernard Pivot questionnaire, which yields some insightful responses despite its veneer of pretense, and this is followed by a more open-ended Q&A with the drama school students. The 2006 DVD set includes Lipton's erudite introductions to each interview. Except for Streisand, there are also excised moments included as a bonus feature for each of the subjects called "Great Moments That Didn't Make the Cut". The footage is marginally entertaining, but the edits were wisely made for the most part.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Best!, January 11, 2007

By	M. Iskowitz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Newman, Redford, Streisand, and Eastwood! Only thing better would have been having all four together on stage. At least some previously unseen moments from the Streisand show would have been worth including. Savor every interesting minute of these interviews.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the Actors Studio, February 13, 2007

By	Mimi Testen "Lover of Movies!!" (Shaker Heights, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

If you have watched the series on Bravo - you know that these are great programs. Good enough to watch several times - as these are classic actors with a lot of great experiences to share. Highly recommended!