Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed

2021

1h 33m

Documentary

List

80%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

100+ Ratings

Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed brings us the shockingly untold story of the prolific landscape artist and host of The Joy of Painting. With a keen appreciation for nature, and a kind and gentle demeanor, Bob Ross encouraged everyone he met to embrace their creativity and believe in themselves, becoming a cultural phenomenon along the way. The man who famously said that there were no mistakes - just happy accidents - has brought sheer delight to the world for decades. Beyond the iconic hair, soothing voice and nostalgic paintings lies a mystery that many have yet to discover.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

The teasing of some kind of controversy is sort of unnecessary for this film... The guy we saw doing those paintings is who Bob Ross was.

Aug 28, 2021

Full Review

Nina Metz

Chicago Tribune

The documentary is strongest when it simply lets Steve - who resembles his father, minus the poof of hair - sift through his memories.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 26, 2021

Full Review

Lisa Kennedy

New York Times

The melancholy result is that the painter with the spectacularly lulling voice, the hallmark 'fro and the liberating kindness remains a mystery; not the brand that's made millions but the guy who touched millions.

Aug 25, 2021

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed” will both bring a broad smile to your face and make your blood boil.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Gem Seddon

SFX Magazine

Happy Accidents, Betrayal, & Greed shines a much-needed light on the murky underbelly of profiting on a celebrity long after they've passed - and who seeks to gain from it.

Feb 3, 2022

Full Review

Julia Swift

My Champlain Valley

Dig deep into Bob Ross' life and come out with a new outlook on all of the Bob Ross Inc products flooding the market.

Rated: 6

Oct 30, 2021

Full Review

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Jeff M

Bob Ross was indeed a unique, one-of-a-kind individual. And when this documentary concentrates on his life, his paintings and the unusual spell he cast not only nationwide but worldwide, it is rapturous, 5-star material. The best parts of this movie concentrate on his early life, his rise to stardom and the age-old question whether or not the 'fro was natural. This part of the documentary is irresistible. Sadly, when it starts to concentrate on the titular betrayal and greed, the filmmaking isn't near as strong. I am not going to say much more, because I was totally unaware of the behind the scenes details of what happened, and I certainly don't want to spoil anything for any potential viewers. Let me just say this - the filmmakers make it emphatically clear that several important people in Ross' life opted not to be part of this documentary for fear of being sued. The alleged "villains" of this piece also chose not to participate. Right or wrong, this makes the overall documentary feel very slanted. It's kinda the same problem I had with ALLEN V. FARROW - we're basically only hearing one side of the story. This isn't necessarily the fault of the filmmakers - they obviously do what they can with what they're provided. But I still recommend this to those like me who grew up in the Bob Ross era. There are segments of this film that are absolutely magical - just like Ross himself, God rest his soul.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

kevin c

Interesting documentary chronicling the life and career of beloved PBS' smooth talking painter Bob Ross. Basically takes you through his love of painting to partnering with a couple to make a career out of it, his rise in popularity to his untimely death and subsequent battle for the rights to his name and likeness. Very good documentary , although the trailer makes it look more salacious than it is. Still a riveting watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I would have preferred a straight documentary on Ross' life and positive influence on society but instead this felt like a sensationalized story which at the root offered the banal examples of greed and manipulation seen one hundred times before. While what happened to Ross and his family is horrible there just wasn't enough meat to make the "one business partner cheats the other to get more for themselves" storyline prove interesting. 5.5/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

david f

An interesting documentary.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

georgan g

Interesting documentary that shows once again how even the best of intentions are overshadowed by greed.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

l g

during the documentary i formed questions that were answered before the end. only briefly covered, but answered for me. the (then) kid should have been closer to his dad some years before he passed. and he now looks, sounds, and paints like his dad. do that, kid, and you'll be okay.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Joshua Rofé

Director

Bob Ross

Self

Steven Ross

Self

Vicky Ross

Self

John Thamm

Self

Ian Bourland

Self

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Synopsis

Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed brings us the shockingly untold story of the prolific landscape artist and host of The Joy of Painting. With a keen appreciation for nature, and a kind and gentle demeanor, Bob Ross encouraged everyone he met to embrace their creativity and believe in themselves, becoming a cultural phenomenon along the way. The man who famously said that there were no mistakes - just happy accidents - has brought sheer delight to the world for decades. Beyond the iconic hair, soothing voice and nostalgic paintings lies a mystery that many have yet to discover.

Director: Joshua Rofé
Producer: Joshua Rofé
Production Co: Netflix Studios, Number 19
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 25, 2021
Runtime: 1h 33m

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