VOTW: Richard Schickel’s Woody Allen Documentary A LIFE IN FILM Clips

We were sad to hear Richard Schickel passed away. The prominent American film critic spent almost 40 years at Time Magazine, as well as a library of books and created many documentaries about film. You can read an obituary at the New York Times.

Schickel loved Woody Allen, and made a documentary on Allen. Called A Life In Film, it was centred around a lengthy interview with Allen where he discussed his entire career – a rarity even now, and unheard of in 2002 when the documentary was released (Hollywood Ending was in cinemas). The interview was so fascinating that Schickel also released a lengthier version as a book. A Life In Film was the first full length documentary about Allen.

The documentary is not (legally) available anywhere unfortunately. Our videos of the week are four clips we think are just some of the great bits. They are our highly irregular videos of the week.

Discussing silent films and Sleeper

Visiting Manhattan when he was young

His use of magic and Shadows And Fog

The nature of talent and Bullets Over Broadway

Schickel was 84. Allen’s career was made by critics, strong voices that led the charge, especially when audiences started to dwindle – Schickel was one of them. If you can find the book or film, they are both worth it.

 

 

 

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1 Comment

  1. Schickel was a class act. I met him a few years ago in Dallas when he did a Q&A with Robert Towne following a screening of Chinatown. He will be missed. Richard Schickel RIP.

    GO WOODY!!!!

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