Francis Bacon was widely regarded as the greatest British painter of this century. His pictures of screaming popes and portraits of faces contorted with pain and violently distorted bodies shocked the art world. More than ... more »anyone since Picasso, Bacon's works tapped into our fears, giving his paintings a terrible beauty that has placed them among the most memorable images in the history of art. Winner of 1985 International Emmy Award.« less
Actors:Francis Bacon, Melvyn Bragg Director:David Hinton Genres:Educational, Documentary Sub-Genres:Educational, Biography Studio:Image Entertainment Format:DVD - Color DVD Release Date: 03/06/2001 Original Release Date: 01/01/1985 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1985 Release Year: 2001 Run Time: 0hr 55min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 2 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English
"This video is recommended viewing for all die- hard Francis Bacon fans. You will get to see his infamous hang outs, his friends and foes. He is also quite frank about his likes and dislikes in the art world (i.e. He hated Rothko!). Also, he talks at length about his theories and sources of his art."
An old fashioned gesture
Duolan Li | ny, ny | 03/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this 50 minute piece produced by BBC follows the great painter Francis Bacon around from the streets of london, to the Tate Gallery, to a drunken lunch, to the painters studio at 7 Reece Mews, to the reknown Colony Room - a drinking club Bacon frequented for 40 years, and finally to a late night casino. very interesting portrayal and the comments from Bacon are in great form. A perfect introduction to the painter and for those quite familar with Bacon you will most likely recognize many of his statements - he often says the same things over and over (more or less) but its still very interesting to see him in action. in addition the paintings and close-ups they show during the video are so much more fulfilling the reproductions. i saw some paintings in a completely new light."
Francis Bacon
Duolan Li | 01/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Words cannot express how great this interview was to see. It was so exciting to see the great oil painter revealing his technique and views on life in this documentary. If your that interested in Bacon to read this review you should get it."
Terrific Inteview
Bill C. | Eastern Virginia | 01/21/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD is described very well by the Editorial Reviews supplied by Amazon above. Bacon is charming and very self-revelatory about both his personal life and his work. Though not a big fan of his work still, this helped me to understand him better, and hearing an artist describing his work is the very best way to help in this. The only reason I give it 4 stars is he's not one of my favorite artists, but I was sorry to see this end."
As good a window into Bacon as you may get on video
A. Davis | Berkshires | 11/09/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Francis Bacon was a titanic figure in 20th Century Art. We've all read reviews, manifestoes, literature, criticism, and let's raise our hands here, lots and lots of jargon in the service of 20th Century Art. This video has none of that. It is very straightforward and simple, and shows Bacon as a clear, direct thinker, despite his fearsome reputation. He is unapologetic about his disturbing imagery, and makes no excuses or elevated claims for his art. His artistic modesty is impressive. While not reluctant to cut down some of painting's other giants (poor Rothko especially), he is convinced that his art is nothing more than what it is, and he speaks of it in plain English. His paintings employ some of the hottest, most loaded images in modern art, but he never opens up about any personal demons, though George Dyer's suicide, which he does discuss, was one of a litany of woes those familiar with his biography will recognize. Painting for him seems a response to the world, not a search for answers. Therefore, he finds no answers and offers none to his audience. What you see is "realism"."