![The Kennedy Films of Robert Drew & Associates (Primary / Adventures on the New Frontier / Crisis / Faces of November) (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91KnjbgdsKL.jpg)
Seeking to invigorate the American documentary format, which he felt was rote and uninspired, Robert Drew brought the style and vibrancy he had fostered as a Life magazine correspondent to filmmaking in the late fifties. He did this by assembling an amazing team including such eventual nonfiction luminaries as Richard Leacock (Louisiana Story), D. A. Pennebaker (Dont Look Back), and Albert Maysles (Grey Gardens) that would transform documentary cinema. In 1960, the group was granted direct access to John F. Kennedy, filming him on the campaign trail and eventually in the Oval Office. This resulted in three films of remarkable, behind-closed-doors intimacy Primary, Adventures on the New Frontier, and Crisis and, following the president s assassination, the poetic short Faces of November. Collected here are all four of these titles, early exemplars of the movement known as Direct Cinema and featuring the greatest close-up footage we have of this American icon.DVD SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES - New 2K digital restorations of all four films- Alternate, twenty-six-minute cut of Primary, edited by filmmaker Richard Leacock- Audio commentary on the Leacock edit of Primary, featuring Leacock and filmmakers Robert Drew and D. A. Pennebaker, recorded in conversation with film critic Gideon Bachmann in 1961 - Robert Drew in His Own Words, a new documentary featuring archival interview footage- New conversation between Pennebaker and Jill Drew, Robert Drew s daughter-in-law and the general manager of Drew Associates- Outtakes from Crisis, along with a discussion by historian Andrew Cohen, author of Two Days in June- New conversation about Crisis featuring former U.S. attorney general Eric Holder and Sharon Malone, Holder s wife and the sister of Vivian Malone, one of the students featured in Crisis- New interview with Richard Reeves, author of President Kennedy: Profile of Power- Footage from a 1998 event at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, featuring Drew, Pennebaker, Leacock, and filmmaker Albert Maysles- PLUS: An essay by documentary film curator and writer Thomas Powers
E**R
👍🏾👍🏾
Interesting documentaries that offer a first person perspective into the Kennedy administration and the times of the 1960s.
A**R
Excellent Documentary.
I am glad that JFK agreed to be a part of this groundbreaking documentary. Hubert Humphrey, the good and decent man that he was shines as well in Primary. I liked the other documentaries as well.
P**L
The best study of any historical subject is to source primary ...
The best study of any historical subject is to source primary documents and or contemporary audio/visual from the time. Through Robert Drew's short documentaries an "up close and personal" and relatively uncensored unscripted glimpse is allowed into President Kennedy's personality, his team, and the background to interesting historical events between 1960-63. One anecdote is that the normally media savvy, confident, JFK who is rarely flummoxed, looks startled in his rocking chair in the oval office, for one second, when his brother Bobby suggests that the President go on television that night (June 1963) to give a speech in defence of civil rights for African Americans. The speech was given and is one of JFK's finest and most noble. No plastic spin-driven politician here - just raw unfettered filming of an American leader we have never seen the likes of since (sadly).
P**.
A fantastic view into the behind the scenes of how a campaign and a candidate work.
If you grew up in the 50's and 60's, you most likely were fascinated by candidate and then President Kennedy. This gives some peaks behind the curtain as how history came about for him and those around and against him.
R**L
Another Criterion home run...
Once again Criterion puts together yet another fine package for a film and/or film series. I have been purchasing Criterion items back in the 1990’s when Laser discs were still the best-to-date media delivery system and in the great LP size and some time gate-fold option packages. Always pricey but well worth it. I have been a Kennedy fan back to the 80’s and these films taken before and after Kennedy’s assertion to the Presidency by a Manhattan ad agency (probably the “best/cool” job either represented by 60’s TV shows and now MAD MEN) truly captures the times and the energy of the moment. Great addition to anyone’s collection.
J**N
I only heard of these because I heard them mentioned ...
I only heard of these because I heard them mentioned on the Black Op Radio Podcast. This is a treasure and should be watched by everyone.
R**S
Wonderful intimate films of the President of the United States ...
Wonderful intimate films of the President of the United States and his circle, by a group of pioneers just getting started.
T**T
Great DVD
As giant Kenndy fan this was a great addition to my collection of JFK DVDs. Candid not often seen footage of a great president.
J**R
JFK for the fans
An interesting perspective on the Presidency of John F. Kennedy. I found CRISIS the most interesting of the four films. If you grew up with JFK and followed his Presidency as I did then this collection may be worth purchasing. Others with a casual interest might find certain aspects of each film tedious and the overall image quality throughout disappointing. In other words not to all tastes.
C**N
Four Stars
Very good
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