The Impressionists with Tim Marlow 2008
Distributed by Microcinema International/Microcinema DVD, 1636 Bush St., Suite #2, SF, CA 94109; 415-447-9750
Produced by Phil Grabsky
Directed by Phil Grabsky & Ali Ray
DVD, color, 192 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Art, Biography, Impressionism, Painting
Date Entered: 09/18/2009
Reviewed by Sebastian Derry, Temple UniversityOriginally broadcast on Channel 5 (UK) in 1998 and hosted by Tim Marlow, this is a series of 8 24-minute profiles of the major Impressionist painters—Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cezanne, Gaugin, and Van Gogh respectively.
As a host, Tim Marlow practically bursts through the screen with unbridled passion and enthusiasm for the topic at hand. Over the course of the series, Marlow is ever keenly insightful, never pedantic (crap, he’s brilliant). Getting up close and personal, he illuminates a wide selection of the artists’ works, then hops about through Paris, its suburbs, the surrounding countryside and beyond, taking viewers to many of the actual locations where the artists lived, worked, and painted.
As a teaching resource, this series is invaluable. Newcomers to art and Impressionistic painting (especially students) could have no better introduction than that found here, while even the most experienced and knowledgeable art lover will learn something new from Marlow’s perspective. The program on Toulouse-Lautrec is exceptional, and by itself would make this DVD an essential purchase.
Highly recommended for all libraries.