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The Typewriter, the Rifle and the Movie Camera

Play trailer The Typewriter, the Rifle and the Movie Camera TV-PG 1996 55m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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With narration by Tim Robbins and contributions from Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker Adam Simon looks into director Samuel Fuller's time as a reporter and a soldier, exploring how these experiences helped transform him into an auteur known for focusing on his passion and his art over the box office numbers. The film also features footage from Fuller's classic and lesser-known works, glimpses of his other artistic endeavors and extensive interviews with Fuller himself.

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Amazing documentary on the director. Ends up his life was as fascinating as the films he made. There's also some no nonsense life lessons to be learned here, and you'll never look at war films the same way again. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member A little more than ten years ago, this short, idol worship documentary was my introduction to the overbearing machismo and genius of reporter turned soldier turned filmmaker Samuel Fuller. Modern maestros Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmusch, Quentin Tarrantino, and Tim Robbins fall all over themselves as they profess their love for the man behind underground classics like Pickup on Self Street, China Gate, Shock Corridor, I Shot Jesse James, The Steel Helmet, etc etc. This is not an extremely informative doc (if you want the real grit and dirt read Fuller's autobiography A Third Face), but it gives you a taste of the man and fully accomplishes its goal of cinematic lust. Thanks to the new Criterion release of Shock Corridor you can watch this 55 minutes doc as one of the special features. VF. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a fantastic look at the life and career of Samuel Fuller. Some big names from the movie business discuss what his films mean to them and why and interviews with the man himself hosted by Tim Robbins. Fuller has a lot to say about himself, his experiences and his movies and it's always fascinating to listen to. Even as the man is near the end of his life in this doc (he died only a few months later), his memory is sharp, his mind is focused, and he is always entertaining. Only about an hour long, but still quite comprehensive. I haven't seen any of Fuller's films, but I am on a quest to hunt down every one of them one way or another after seeing this. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Should be shown to any young filmmaker to help understand Fuller's cinematic influence. Tarantino, Scorsese, Jarmusch and Fuller himself all elaborate on what made him such a unique artist. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Typewriter, the Rifle and the Movie Camera

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Movie Info

Synopsis With narration by Tim Robbins and contributions from Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker Adam Simon looks into director Samuel Fuller's time as a reporter and a soldier, exploring how these experiences helped transform him into an auteur known for focusing on his passion and his art over the box office numbers. The film also features footage from Fuller's classic and lesser-known works, glimpses of his other artistic endeavors and extensive interviews with Fuller himself.
Director
Adam Simon
Production Co
IFC Films
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Runtime
55m