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National Gallery

Play trailer Poster for National Gallery 2014 2h 54m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
The education programs, scholars, scientists and curators work and enjoy the National Gallery in London.
National Gallery

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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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

Audience Reviews

View All (15) audience 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
National Gallery

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Cast & Crew

Paris Calligrammes 100% % Paris Calligrammes Watchlist Crazy Horse 85% 52% Crazy Horse Watchlist New Town Utopia 100% 67% New Town Utopia Watchlist Regarding Susan Sontag 86% 58% Regarding Susan Sontag Watchlist David Bowie Is 60% 71% David Bowie Is Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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)