Educational Media Reviews Online

This is an excellent biographical documentary on the life, influences and art of Francis Bacon. There are some scenes throughout the film that are disturbing to watch—there are several bullfighting sequences where the bull is stabbed and later killed, a bullfighter is gored, and an animal is being butchered. Later in the documentary there is also a brief view of some homo-erotic art. Bacon’s art is disturbing, often depicting some type of agony or anger. Asked about this aspect in one of the interviews, he responds that life is violent and he is just depicting what he sees. His life is presented chronologically with the use of photos, archival films, interviews and artwork. The documentary is well written, well edited, comprehensive and informative. The interviews and archival films add much to the understanding of Bacon and his artwork. The bonus materials include an interview with the director, a gallery of 12 of Bacon’s paintings that can zoom in and web links to Francis Bacon Trust website and two separate short features, one on his studio in Reece Mews, where he spent the last 30 years working, and a second on the influence of photography, especially the work of Edward Muybridge, on his artwork.