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Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography

Play trailer Poster for Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography 1993 1h 30m Documentary History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
This documentary examines an often overlooked element of filmmaking: the role of cinematography. It includes interviews with various cinematographers, credited as "directors of photography," who discuss clips from their own work as well as films that inspired them. They pay homage to pioneering cinematographers and to more than 100 films. The film considers how the cinematographer's job has changed over the years, with the advent of new technology and the development of the art of filmmaking.

Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 06/02/2022
3/4
Sticking mainly to well-known material certainly has its pedagogic (as well as practical) uses, and within these ideological limitations, Visions of Light is a lovely piece of work. Go to Full Review
Sheila Johnston Independent (UK) 11/14/2017
It's an excellent introduction to the neglected magic of the cameraman, bolstered by a revolving supporting feature chosen from the examples discussed in the film. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3.5/4
[Visions of Light] is a documentary that will likely cause everyone who sees it to look at movies a little differently in the future. Go to Full Review
Anton Bitel Film4 06/15/2007
This breathtaking documentary sheds brilliant light (and subtle shading, too) on the history and practice of cinematography. Go to Full Review
Christopher Null Filmcritic.com 05/14/2007
4/5
Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com 12/19/2005
5/5
Absolutely superb documentary with haunting score. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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03/21/2017 Not a particularly fancy documentary as far as presentation goes, but it's a really fascinating look at cinematography as an art form and how it's evolved alongside film as a medium. Hearing some of the greatest cinematographers to ever live discuss their process and their thoughts on fellow DP's works is really quite eye-opening, and explains just how beautiful cinematography can be when true care and passion is pushing it forward. A perfect watch for anyone looking to learn more about some of the finest visual works cinema has to offer. See more 11/14/2015 An introduction to cinema-photography effectively narrated and presented. See more 09/05/2015 Pretty standard documentary concerning cinematography from some of the most iconic films. I watched this in two different film classes, and I fell asleep the 2nd time. I can appreciate what the filmmakers are trying to go for. Breaking iconic shots down isn't as amusing to me. See more 09/15/2013 Para los que conociamos bien sobre cinematografia. See more 07/31/2013 A must see documentary for all filmmakers! See more 07/13/2013 The art of the film cinematographer is one that has truly shaped the face of cinema over the years . This documentary from 1993 gives us a history of the greats of the art and shows they wat they crafted those memorable images. The film follows the works of the great DPs from the early days of Billy Bitzer working with DW Griffith on Birth of a Nation to the works of the classic Hollywood Dps such as Sol Polito and James Wong Howe. To the pioneers from Europe such as Nestor Almendros,Lazlo Kovacs and Sven Nykvist. The film traces the art and how the work of the cameraman has changed and adapted over the years to keep up with advances in film technology. The other plus point beside all the great talent on display is of course clips from the films they shot ,from Conrad Halls use of rain to the price of darkness Gordon Wiliis not lighting Marlon Brandos eyes to make him even more menacing. It would be nice if the filmakers followed the film up with making another about the wotks of todays great DPs such as Wally Pftser and Roger Deakins. But that is a minor grouse when you have a film stacked with Beautiful imagery. See more Read all reviews
Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary examines an often overlooked element of filmmaking: the role of cinematography. It includes interviews with various cinematographers, credited as "directors of photography," who discuss clips from their own work as well as films that inspired them. They pay homage to pioneering cinematographers and to more than 100 films. The film considers how the cinematographer's job has changed over the years, with the advent of new technology and the development of the art of filmmaking.
Director
Arnold Glassman, Stuart Samuels, Todd McCarthy
Producer
Stuart Samuels
Screenwriter
Todd McCarthy
Distributor
Kino International Corp., Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
American Film Institute
Genre
Documentary, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 24, 1993, Original
Runtime
1h 30m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1), Academy (1.33:1)