Educational Media Reviews Online

Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School is an interesting and informative film that focuses on the origins of the Prairie School style of architecture. Through narration, readings from Wright's essays, and photographic footage, we come to understand that Wright's homes are indeed "interior space under fine shelter."

The film centers on Wright but also highlights the importance and influence of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, and his contemporaries, such as Dwight Perkins. We learn from the architect, Wilbert Hasbrouck about the collaboration and contributions made by Wright's assistants, Walter Griffin, William Drummond, and Marion Mahoney. Hasbrouck likens Wright's architectural practice to a Renaissance workshop, where all the parts contribute to the whole. The buildings created by this team were truly a collaborative effort, although Wright gets most of the credit.

This film is technically well done. The basic Prairie School theory is well demonstrated at the beginning of the film. We see a drawing of a "typical" Victorian house. As "Wright" describes what he does not like about this style of architecture, we see the Victorian house deconstructed, and formed into a Prairie School home. The basis of the film is archival footage and photos, as well as current shots of Wright's buildings. An interesting technique is the blending of an archival photograph of a home, and the modern day shot of the same home; this technique shows the viewer the timelessness of the Prairie School style. There is a narrator, but the much of information comes from Wright's own essays, as read by actor, Richard Henzel. Several architects and an historian provide further insight and interpretation of Wright's theories and creative style.

This film is recommended for a college audience as an introduction to Frank Lloyd Wright and/or the Prairie School style. It would be an appropriate addition for art, architecture, American history, and American Studies courses.