The Great Buster: A Celebration

Released Oct 5, 2018

1 hr. 42 min.

Documentary

TRAILER

for The Great Buster: A Celebration: Trailer 1

List

94%

48 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Peter Bogdanovich examines the legendary life and career of actor, filmmaker and comic genius Buster Keaton.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 03

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent The Great Buster: A Celebration on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

The Great Buster: A Celebration isn't as breathlessly entertaining as the filmography that inspired it, but as a long-overdue primer, it's close to essential.

Read Critics Reviews

Eye C

A little redundant, interesting. But putting Tarantino in big bold letters and just speaking about 3 minutes it's misleading. Any how, the documentary it's a good entrance to the cinema of The Great Buster.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Dużo fragmentów filmów, garść słów i za mała ilość historii. Początek spoko, ale ostatecznie to niezbyt ciekawa biografia ciekawej postaci

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

william d

I'm a huge Buster Keaton fan. I'm bound to like any documentary that features clips from his movies. However, I think even those unfamiliar with Keaton's work would like this film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

s r

It does well to show the legacy and genius of Buster Keaton.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Buster's career should always be celebrated as a master actor. He was a physical comedy magician, as well as a comedic storyteller. There's no one who comes close to the talent Buster had with physical comedic timing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

THE GREAT BUSTER: A CELEBRATION-2018(NOT RATED)-Nov. 17. By:Clem The Movie Guy. I got a chance to attend a special screening of the new documentary film, The Great Buster: A Celebration. The Great Buster is written & directed by Peter Bogdanovich who narrates the life & career of Buster Keaton, one of Hollywood’s greatest performers & a pioneer during the silent film era. Born to make people laugh from his childhood beginning as a performer with his parents on the vaudeville circuit to his earning the trademark name “The Great Stone Face” for his physical comedy & the deadpan expression. The documentary shows highlights of some of Buster’s famous films which he wrote, directed, starred in, & produced. With each film clip that is shown, you can see how much of a technical genius he was, from setting up the gags to camera placement. His techniques went on to influence today’s films & TV shows. During the 1920s, Buster was able to make the movies he wanted without anyone telling him what to do or how to do it but all that changed when Buster was tricked into signing with the studio company MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). By signing with them, Buster’s freedom to be able to make movies his way, doing his own stunts & improvising without a script was restricted & his career went into decline. The Great Buster is a remarkable & compelling look at this pioneer in the comedy world who had a huge influence on today’s filmmakers & actors. After seeing this documentary, I’m intrigued to watch some of Buster’s films, both the shorts & features that he made. The Great Buster: A Celebration is a MUST-SEE FILM for all film lovers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/18

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Peter Bogdanovich

Narrator

Quentin Tarantino

Self

Bill Hader

Self

Mel Brooks

Self

Werner Herzog

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

96%

76%

Hitchcock/Truffaut

TRAILER

for Hitchcock/Truffaut

100%

%

The One and Only Dick Gregory

93%

94%

Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time

TRAILER

for Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time

95%

84%

Filmworker

TRAILER

for Filmworker

80%

69%

S Is for Stanley

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Hardy Rises, but Venom Sinks Like a Brock

The Great Buster: A Celebration: Trailer 1

1:48

View more videos

View more photos

Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

This movie lives in its black-and-white clips, which provide both a fine introduction to those new to Keaton's work, and plenty to dig into for hard-core fans.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 29, 2018

Full Review

Walter V. Addiego

San Francisco Chronicle

Any doubters are advised to see this movie, then treat themselves to a viewing of "The General." Case closed.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 6, 2018

Full Review

Scott Marks

San Diego Reader

When it comes to pure visual comedy, there is no greater director than Buster Keaton.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 2, 2018

Full Review

Nicolás Quinteros

EscribiendoCine

As the very title suggests, we are beholding a celebration of Keaton's work. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 9/10

Jul 14, 2023

Full Review

Andrew Gaudion

VultureHound

This is simply a delight, and also a perfect introduction to the man himself for anyone looking to learn more about one of cinema's most enduring icons, making you fall in love with ol' stone face all over again.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 28, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Would make a welcome addition to any film library on the Old Stone Face for both newcomers and those already familiar with him.

Rated: A-

May 29, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Peter Bogdanovich examines the legendary life and career of actor, filmmaker and comic genius Buster Keaton.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Screenwriter: Peter Bogdanovich
Distributor: Cohen Media Group
Production Co: Cohen Media Group
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $118.3K

Most Popular at Home Now