Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes

Play trailer

2:01

Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes

Released May 31, 2024

1h 36m

Documentary

Biography

LGBTQ+

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

An intimate look at pioneering artist George Platt Lynes, who took radically explicit photographs of the male nude. The documentary reveals Lynes' gifted eye for the male form, his long-term friendships with Gertrude Stein and Alfred Kinsey, and his lasting influence as one of the first openly gay American artists.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Leslie Felperin

Guardian

This documentary, directed by Sam Shahid, introduces his life and work in a deeply respectful, straightforward way... [But] this sometimes gets a little hyperbolic about its subject’s talent.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 7, 2025

Full Review

Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

A thorough, well-told tale intertwined with many of the key social and artistic movements of that century – and dotted with its luminaries – Hidden Master brings Lynes back out into the light.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 8, 2025

Full Review

Gregg Shapiro

Bay Area Reporter

Lynes's story, one of privilege and passion, creativity and connections, genius, and queerness, will be familiar to some, while for others, it will be like discovering a treasure trove of artistic expression.

Rated: A-

Jun 6, 2024

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Lynes' stunning images gain meaningful context through fabulous first-hand anecdotes about this little-known but hugely influential artist who broke new ground from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 4, 2024

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

A well-edited and illuminating documentary biopic about George Platt Lynes, a gay photographer who deserves to be better known.

Jun 1, 2024

Full Review

Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

The biographical details are accompanied by impressive access to his work, along with some intriguing anecdotes providing insight into his lasting influence.

May 31, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Bob from Washington Heights

I decided to see this on a whim. While I used to see 2-3 movies per month (prior to COVID). I really enjoyed this film (and it was a "film" not a "movie"), I sort of knew of this George Platt Lynes, but I cannot honestly tell you what, where or from whom I heard anything. This was absolutely fascinating and enjoyable on so many different levels.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/06/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Sam Shahid

Director

Gertrude Stein

Self

Alfred Kinsey

Self

George Platt Lynes

Self

Sam Shahid

Screenwriter

Matthew Kraus

Screenwriter

The Melt Goes on Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons

80%

%

The Melt Goes on Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Melt Goes on Forever: The Art & Times of David Hammons

Rebel Dread

100%

%

Rebel Dread

Watchlist

Fragments of Paradise

100%

%

Fragments of Paradise

Watchlist

Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power

69%

88%

Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power

Angel Applicant

100%

%

Angel Applicant

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes: Trailer 1

2:01

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

An intimate look at pioneering artist George Platt Lynes, who took radically explicit photographs of the male nude. The documentary reveals Lynes' gifted eye for the male form, his long-term friendships with Gertrude Stein and Alfred Kinsey, and his lasting influence as one of the first openly gay American artists.

Director: Sam Shahid
Producer: Sam Shahid, Matthew Kraus, John MacConnell, Nando de Carvalho
Screenwriter: Sam Shahid, Matthew Kraus, John MacConnell
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Antinous Films
Genre: Documentary, Biography, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 31, 2024
Runtime: 1h 36m

Most Popular at Home Now