( 4 reviews )
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Posted: 04-29-2009
This is a treasure! If you want to know Redford at his best and most vulnerable, this production is a gem! I've collected his movies, but never "knew" him until now, and I like and respect him even more. He is easy to watch and generously shares his intimate thoughts and perspectives on politics and life. He is deeply sensitive, intelligent, and passionate about many things, and a gifted movie maker. You will enjoy owning this Biography of such a fine actor, director. Don't hesitate!
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Posted: 08-28-2008
I agree with another review his politcal views are indeed downplayed,I myself wouldnt take my politcal que's form any actor...., This dvd gives you Robert Redford the Man/Actor...the Ledgend. The best part is it has an interview with Redford himself... It also includes clipps of all his great(and not so great) movie roles; Sundance;and his personal life(if you can call it that). Great for a any Robert Redford fan.
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( 6 of 6 found this review helpful ) Posted: 04-19-2006
If I remember correctly, the Ancient Greek playwright Euripides had everything. He was rich, handsome, famous, and lived a long life. That fact flashed through my mind as I watched this documentary on Robert Redford. I don't want to diminish the pain he must have felt about the death of his first child or his divorce. However, he is handsome, famous, a success at most things, a pioneer, an Oscar winner, articulate, and well-loved. He practically has it all. If there are deities, they really hooked him up in every department! This episode of "Biography" was 90 minutes, rather than the typical 60. I wonder if this is a sign that the makers just loved their subject. Sometimes I got bored hearing, "first he made this movie, then he made that one." However, I was shocked and impressed to learn that he invented the Sundance Film Festival and created the "Incident at Oglala" documentary. The film notes, as many others have, that Redford is yesterday's Brad Pitt. Just like Pitt, he avoids talking about his good looks. This biography also made me think he has much in common with Russell Crowe, and possibly Jude Law. Both Crowe and Redford seem to play many roles that take place in the past. There were too few shirtless shots of Redford in this work. My biggest disappointment with this documentary is how they watered down Redford's progressivism. They call him "a political activist." However, he is a LEFTWING political activist. He supports environmentalism and indigenous people's rights; he is even chums with former Senator Bill Bradley. Very briefly, they show Redford calling himself Dan Quayle years after Quayle was no longer in office. However, back in 1987, it was a huge deal that Quayle was said to be like Redford and Redford openly condemned this comparison, given the men's opposite sides on the political spectrum. So I really think the biographers were not as truthful as they should have been because they did not want to upset or wanted to appease right-wing viewers and fans. This felt like a sign of cowardice in stark contrast to the outspoken nature of their subject.
