National Gallery

2014

2h 54m

Documentary

List

95%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

The education programs, scholars, scientists and curators work and enjoy the National Gallery in London.

Critics Consensus

National Gallery finds director Frederick Wiseman doing what he does best: Drawing the viewer in with richly detailed, patiently constructed observations on modern institutions.

Read Critics Reviews

Isabel Stevens

Sight & Sound

Some of the film's most fascinating moments pay tribute to the gallery's technical prowess and craftsmanship.

Aug 27, 2018

Full Review

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

Wiseman's fly-on-the-wall style is the perfect formal approach to cut through the surface of pretence that dominates any kind of major institution's vision of itself, and it is this fascination with institutions that has marked Wiseman's lengthy career.

Aug 25, 2018

Full Review

Nicole Armour

Film Comment Magazine

The film upholds the belief that the commonalities of self-expression, storytelling, and insightful observation reverberate through time.

Aug 3, 2015

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

...a stunning work...

Jul 8, 2020

Full Review

C.J. Prince

Way Too Indie

The lack of something unifying everything together thematically holds National Gallery back from becoming something truly excellent.

Rated: 7.5/10

Jun 8, 2019

Full Review

Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

There is no explanation for this documentary, no obvious goals, nor a narrator to guide us. We just watch and listen. Also, National Gallery is Wiseman's most beautiful documentary since La Danse,

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Michele D

If I could start every day with a coffee and 10 minutes of somebody telling me why they love a particular piece of art it would be a very good day.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/24

Full Review

camilla y

Fascinating documentary - ok, not fast-moving as some might with but it is a truly wonderful insight into the knowledge and workings of all concerned.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

jake s

It's about as close to actually going to a museum as you're going to get via a camera lens. And just like a visit to a museum, some parts of the tour drag on FOREVER!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is how all fly-on-the-wall documentaries should be. No narration, no subtitles, just observation.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sure, it's really long. But the fly-on-the-wall perspective is also really fascinating, as you observe all the various goings-on behind and in front of the scenes. My personal favourites are the restoration portions. The guides explaining the art sometimes feel tedious and over-analytical. But the restorations - now, those are fantastically intriguing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

extremely slow, boring after 30 minutes

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Frederick Wiseman

Director

Nicholas Penny

Actor

Larry Keith

Actor

Luke Syson

Actor

Dawson Carr

Actor

Ashok Roy

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Paris Calligrammes

100%

%

Paris Calligrammes

New Town Utopia

100%

67%

New Town Utopia

Regarding Susan Sontag

86%

58%

Regarding Susan Sontag

David Bowie Is

60%

71%

David Bowie Is

Rewind This!

100%

74%

Rewind This!

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: Interstellar and Big Hero 6 are Certified Fresh

View more photos

Synopsis

The education programs, scholars, scientists and curators work and enjoy the National Gallery in London.

Director: Frederick Wiseman
Producer: Pierre-Olivier Bardet, Frederick Wiseman
Screenwriter: Frederick Wiseman
Production Co: Idéale Audience, Gallery Films LLC
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.1K
Runtime: 2h 54m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)