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Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff

Play trailer Poster for Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff Released May 13, 2011 1h 26m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This documentary explores the life of Jack Cardiff, a former child actor who went on to achieve great things in film. But Cardiff didn't excel in front of the camera; he mastered the camera itself, using his painting background to perfect the art of lighting in cinema. Cardiff's talent as a cinematographer is seen in clips from some of his most acclaimed works, like "Black Narcissus" and "The Red Shoes," while the praise of luminaries like Martin Scorsese cements his legend.

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Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff

Critics Reviews

View All (28) Critics Reviews
Leba Hertz San Francisco Chronicle Although we never really learn much about his life outside the movies, by the end of the film we are in awe of his work accomplishments. Rated: 3/4 Jul 28, 2011 Full Review Ann Hornaday Washington Post "Cameraman" should be required viewing for anyone interested in becoming more visually literate in an ever-more-media-drenched age. Rated: 3/4 Jul 8, 2011 Full Review Ty Burr Boston Globe Cardiff was the greatest color cameraman who ever lived. Rated: 3/4 Jun 23, 2011 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row For fans of Cardiff, for fans of the Archers, and for fans of all great cinema, Cameraman is a must-see. Rated: 3/4 Aug 5, 2019 Full Review Brian Orndorf Blu-ray.com His story ends in 2009, but his achievements live on, with "Cameraman" a sublime education on the masterful work of Jack Cardiff. Rated: A- Nov 12, 2017 Full Review Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film McCall draws on Cardiff's life-long love of painting to adopt a similarly impressionistic style, brushing broad sweeps of anecdote and recollection about the cameraman on to his canvas to create a complex and emotionally engaging picture. Rated: 4/5 Feb 9, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (32) audience reviews
Audience Member Jack Cardiff's life offers a wonderful inspiration to explore the birth of color film as enlivened behind his lens. The combination of personal conversations, celebrity and collaborator interviews, and prize scenes from his greatest works brings viewers into a golden-red, green, and blue-age of cinema in transition. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member â??Cameramanâ?? should be required viewing for anyone interested in becoming more visually literate in an ever-more-media-drenched age. Whatâ??s more, itâ??s chock-full of anecdotes from Cardiffâ??s work with such stars as Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe, who inscribed a photo to him with the line, â??Dear Jack, if only I could be the way you created me.â?? And if only movies could be the way Cardiff himself made them: drenched in color, spinning with movement and brimming with an intoxicating sense of life. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member A fitting tribute to a cameraman that not only kept current during 8 decades but was sort after by some of the most legendary directors. Jack Cardiff was the cutting edge cinematographer of early technicolor & worked on many films where color became a character. He photographed many stunning actress' & worked on some of Hollywood's biggest films. An English man at heart & master of the camera, a terrific documentary. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A must see for those interested in film-making, photography, art, etc. Some very interesting, educational, as well as funny stories of old Hollywood classic films, actors, actresses, directors, etc. by a pioneer and master of cinematography and film-making. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Awesome, my only complaint is that he didn't get the chance to share tips and tricks. nicest guy it seemed thought. kudoos Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member A great documentary that inspires the viewer to become a photographer. Great interviews with Martin Scorcese. Jack is completely loveable and humble as well as being one of the most inspirational cameramen of all time. Well done and interesting every step of the way. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary explores the life of Jack Cardiff, a former child actor who went on to achieve great things in film. But Cardiff didn't excel in front of the camera; he mastered the camera itself, using his painting background to perfect the art of lighting in cinema. Cardiff's talent as a cinematographer is seen in clips from some of his most acclaimed works, like "Black Narcissus" and "The Red Shoes," while the praise of luminaries like Martin Scorsese cements his legend.
Director
Craig McCall
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Production Co
UK Film Council
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 13, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.0K
Runtime
1h 26m
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