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Information

Year
1984
Runtime
136 min.
Director
Michael Apted
Genres
Biography, Documentary
Rating *
8.3
Votes *
1,879
Checks
1,768
Favs
125
Dislikes
5
Favs/checks
7.1% (1:14)
Favs/dislikes
25:1
* View IMDb information

Top comments

  1. dwzobell's avatar

    dwzobell

    The offscreen space becomes much more prominent in this film, with much more action and change happening between films. People we detested in the earlier films become lovable here, people we worried about before become unsettling messes. It's that time between that keeps us watching - our minds instantly start creating the in-between space and that work keeps us riveted.

    Neil once again becomes the primary focus for me, if only because his story is so dramatic. Still, each story has become more pronounced and the personalities stronger than ever.

    Apted's questions are getting more invasive (as is his literal voice, rarely heard in the earlier films.) As the shots become more and more dramatic, I can't help but question some of the ethics/credibility. Neil getting picked up while hitchhiking is something I can believe. Neil and a film crew getting picked up while hitchhiking gives me pause.

    Ethical issues (ones that all docs share) aside, the legitimacy of the overriding dramatic question, one of agency and fatalism, is at its most provocative here. Leads to great discussion.
    9 years 4 months ago
  2. criscoJovan's avatar

    criscoJovan

    There is this certain something that I both love about this film yet also hate about it and documentary films in general: it's the subjects' manipulated replies. You can start to understand why Jackie and her friends, and John, get defensive. The manner is so tidily set up to achieve the exact reactions and responses the director wants, making it no more real or truthful than trying to coach the proper response out of a professional actor. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it feels so contrived.

    Though I do understand it is necessary to get these answers, otherwise it, the project doesn't work and it falls flat. But I feel like, and wish, there would be some better way of achieving it rather than pushing them all into a corner.
    11 years 1 month ago
  3. benhere's avatar
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In 6 official lists

  1. This movie ranks #20 in Sight & Sound's The Greatest Documentaries of All Time
    Sight & Sound's The Greatest Documentaries of All Time's icon

    Sight & Sound's The Grea…

    20
  2. This movie ranks #49 in IMDb's Documentary Top 50
    IMDb's Documentary Top 50's icon

    IMDb's Documentary Top 50

    49
  3. This movie ranks #57 in Roger Ebert's Great Movies
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    Roger Ebert's Great Movi…

    57
  4. This movie ranks #98 in Harvard's Suggested Film Viewing: Non-Fiction Films
    Harvard's Suggested Film Viewing: Non-Fiction Films's icon

    Harvard's Suggested Film…

    98
  5. This movie ranks #767 in The New York Times's Book of Movies
    The New York Times's Book of Movies's icon

    The New York Times's Boo…

    767
  6. This movie ranks #1249 in TSPDT's 1,000 Greatest Films: 1001-2500
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    TSPDT's 1,000 Greatest F…

    1249
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