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Forgotten Silver

Play trailer Forgotten Silver 1997 53m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 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.
Forgotten Silver

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic The sly joke of Forgotten Silver really registers. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle Jackson is a gleefully, deliciously deranged filmmaker. Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 10, 2008 Full Review 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 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Aug 14, 2005 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Clever mockumentary. Rated: 3/5 Apr 24, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member 94% Smartly made and incredibly well-put-together. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Forgotten Silver

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Cast & Crew

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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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Movie Info

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