Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey

PG

Released Aug 24, 1995

1h 23m

Documentary

List

100%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

This documentary explores the life of Leon Theremin, the inventor of an electronic synthesizer called the theremin, which uses motion to produce a sliding ethereal sound. After creating the instrument, Theremin is kidnapped by the KGB to work on inventions and surveillance technology. During his absence, the theremin becomes a popular instrument in film scores and through the performances of Clara Rockmore. In 1991, Theremin finally returns to the United States after his release.

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Audience Member

Excellent interviews and a fascinating story probably, but ineptly told and poorly constructed by the director/producer/writer.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

70% lets not overdo it. It's interesting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

robbie v

What an incredible story. Very touching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Musicians & sound studies folks should take note. Everything from Cold War spies, to 1950's Science fiction & the Beach Boys are apart this peculiar history of an electronic instrument & its enigmatic inventor

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The Theremin is regarded as the first electronic instrument. It has no keyboard, and is instead controlled by moving one's hands around a pair of antennae to control the pitch and amplitude. I expected this to be a sort of travelogue of how cool is the Theremin - the fact that it was "introduced" as the weird woo-woo sound on The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations", and so on. This documentary shows that there is way more to both the instrument and its inventor. If you think you might be kinda curious - definitely catch this on Netflix - because it is a charming and eye opening documentary. Leon Theremin was quite a personality. He was extremely devoted to developing his instrument, had a band of followers, and cared little for convention. He alienated many of his (probably otherwise liberal) friends when, in the twenties, he dared to marry a black woman. Shortly thereafter, his story gets weirder when he disappears from the NYC scene - apparently abducted by the KGB! In addition to exposing Theremin's personal story, much is revealed about the instrument that was new to me. Theremin and his protege Clara Rockmore envisioned the Theremin as a serious concert instrument. Several classical pieces were written for it - including a Concerto for Theremin and Orchestra - and concerts sold out in Carnegie Hall well before it entered pop culture. It comes out that there was a sort of tussle between the devotees - notably Rockmore - who wanted to develop its concert potential, and the wider attention it got in some rock music and as an eerie effect in film scores. Among those interviewed are Brian Wilson, who talks a little about the development of "Good Vibrations", and Robert Moog, who as the inventor of the Moog Synthesizer, is probably the most important person to have popularized the use of electronic instruments. Moog was inspired by the Theremin, and made his own versions of it (which Rockmore regards as inferior to Theremin's) first as a hobbyist and later as a devotee. There is a lot of fascinating material here and if you're the sort of person who knows a little about the Theremin, you'll enjoy leaving this film knowing a lot.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I show excerpts of this to my Computers in Music class. Fascinating man, unintentionally funny Brian Wilson.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

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Steven M. Martin

Director

Clara Rockmore

Self

Robert Moog

Self

Nicolas Slonimsky

Self

Paul Shure

Self

Henry Solomonoff

Self

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

Variety

Brilliant in moments if also flawed, this is a fascinating chronicle of the man who revolutionized modern music with the world's first electronic instrument; impact on movie scores is one of the docu's best parts.

Rated: A-

Jan 8, 2007

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS)

Rated: 3/5

Mar 9, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 4/5

Jul 6, 2005

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Jan 29, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

This documentary explores the life of Leon Theremin, the inventor of an electronic synthesizer called the theremin, which uses motion to produce a sliding ethereal sound. After creating the instrument, Theremin is kidnapped by the KGB to work on inventions and surveillance technology. During his absence, the theremin becomes a popular instrument in film scores and through the performances of Clara Rockmore. In 1991, Theremin finally returns to the United States after his release.

Director: Steven M. Martin
Screenwriter: Steven M. Martin
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Orion Pictures
Production Co: Channel Four Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 1995, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.3K
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Stereo