Forgotten Silver

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Forgotten Silver

Released Oct 3, 1997

53m

Comedy

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100%

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10 Reviews

82%

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2,500+ Ratings

This mockumentary by Peter Jackson and Costa Botes details the life of innovative -- and fictional -- filmmaker Colin McKenzie and presents some of his previously "lost" work. The movie claims that McKenzie, a director from New Zealand, made technological advancements in cinema years before their acknowledged emergence, and features interviews with film notables, such as critic and historian Leonard Maltin (Leonard Maltin), who attest to McKenzie's significance.

Critics Consensus

This mockumentary about a non-existent New Zealand film pioneer and inventor features fake interviews and recreated archive footage that are so effective that many viewers were stunned to learn it wasn't real.

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Jackson is a gleefully, deliciously deranged filmmaker.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

The sly joke of Forgotten Silver really registers.

Jan 1, 2000

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 10, 2008

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Quite aside from being perhaps the most elaborate prank in Jackson's career to date (or since), "Forgotten Silver" is a brilliant piece of moviemaking.

Rated: A

Apr 9, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 14, 2005

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Clever mockumentary.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 24, 2003

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Audience Member

It's just awsome. It make me belived it was all real for a bit.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

This is an early effort by Peter Jackson- a mocumentary done really well, and goes on to show that the guy who would go on to make some of the most ambitious films of all time was a talented prodigy. Along with co-director Costa Botes, Jackson has put together one of the most interesting fake documentaries to come along since the genre was first popularized with This is Spinal Tap. Even the most oblivious movie-goers will find Forgotten Silver's mixture of fact and fiction enjoyable. Jeffrey Thomas, a man with an appropriately stentorian voice, does the narration for Forgotten Silver, which is presented as a straightforward documentary about an all-but-forgotten, turn- of-the-century New Zealand film maker. The contributions of this pioneer, named Colin McKenzie, were only recently recognized when his complete body of work was discovered. To say more would be to spoil it. Go watch this amazing mocumentary asap.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

I was completely sucked in by this and was later embarrassed to learn the truth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

88% Forgotten Silver is built around an idea so remarkable, you'll wish it ran longer than an hour.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

94% Smartly made and incredibly well-put-together.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

Absolutely magnificient , sometimes i am lost within this feature as to whether they are doing behind the scenes for a movie or a documentary (mockumentary) , This Peter Jackson's piece of work might not be appreciated by many but certainly stands out as one of his best .

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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Peter Jackson

Director

Costa Botes

Director

Sam Neill

Self

Leonard Maltin

Self

Harvey Weinstein

Self

John O'Shea

Self

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Synopsis

This mockumentary by Peter Jackson and Costa Botes details the life of innovative -- and fictional -- filmmaker Colin McKenzie and presents some of his previously "lost" work. The movie claims that McKenzie, a director from New Zealand, made technological advancements in cinema years before their acknowledged emergence, and features interviews with film notables, such as critic and historian Leonard Maltin (Leonard Maltin), who attest to McKenzie's significance.

Director: Peter Jackson, Costa Botes
Producer: Sue Rogers
Screenwriter: Peter Jackson, Costa Botes
Distributor: Zeitgeist Films, First Run
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 1997, Original
Runtime: 53m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1, 35mm