This is a fascinating demonstration by Picasso of his creative ability and his working technique. It is amazing to see how he begins a drawing or a painting at an improbable point, e.g. the upper left hand corner of the canvas, with a line which looks quite baffling at first, but which rapidly develops into a complete and intelligible picture. His mastery of drawing is evident at every moment. No erasing. No shaky lines. It is evident that he has a mental impression of the picture before he starts, so that the picture that emerges after that improbable start is correctly placed to fill the canvas. And what a picture it is! We have not one but many drawings created before our eyes. He also demonstrates his ability to change course as he works, as new ideas occur to him, totally transforming the work. In a final scene, he virtually destroys and recreates a beach scene several times as he reveals this amazing talent. It is astonishing to see how unerringly he can encapsulate an entire scene such a a bullfight with a few strokes of his brush. Note how a few simple marks in the background convincingly denote a large crowd. I found this entire performance absolutely captivating.
The filming technique is also masterful, so that the film is an artwork in itself. The film is actually a record of what appears on the reverse side of Picasso's canvas as he works. Picasso uses special inks that penetrate the canvas. The viewer sees the picture developing without the presence of the artist. During several breaks in the film, Picasso appears.
The film was made with a running commentary in French. Two separate and different commentaries in English have been added, so one may choose any of three versions. I have watched it several times with each of the English commentaries and have been well pleased with each.
The French government designated this film a National Treasure. This accolade surely indicates its significance.
Who am I to gainsay what the French government thinks? For me, The Mystery of Picasso is certainly a private treasure. It is the best value for money that I have enjoyed for a long time.
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The Mystery of Picasso
Genre | Special Interests |
Format | NTSC |
Contributor | Pablo Picasso, Henri-Georges Clouzot |
Language | French, French |
Runtime | 1 hour and 18 minutes |
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Product Description
The Mystery of Picasso - Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot - Actors: Pablo Picasso
Product details
- Product Dimensions : 5.28 x 6.77 x 0.63 inches; 2.26 Ounces
- Director : Henri-Georges Clouzot
- Media Format : NTSC
- Run time : 1 hour and 18 minutes
- Release date : November 16, 2021
- Actors : Pablo Picasso
- Subtitles: : English
- Studio : Milestone Video
- ASIN : B09FC6DZ9N
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #62,916 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #267 in Special Interests (Movies & TV)
- #355 in Documentary (Movies & TV)
- Customer Reviews:
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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
111 global ratings
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2019
This film is an excellent demonstration of Picasso's mastery of line and form. He draws and paints, first on semi-transparent surfaces, so that we see the lines appear on the blank paper or canvas as if drawn directly from his mind. For anyone with a little background in art, this is miraculous: without preliminary sketches, without any preparation of the support or framing of the scene, his artistic line and form take shape. Magic!
My favorite section, however, comes near the end, as Picasso attempts a large oil painting. Here the film is stop-action, very skillfully done, so that we see the paint appearing brushstroke by stroke, but the hand of the artist is not seen. What is impressive here is the transformation of the layers and composition as Picasso explores in paint. He becomes dissatisfied -- then even more dissatisfied -- saying, "Oh, this is bad. Very bad." And so we get to see the master artist moving from idea to idea, searching for a path to the picture he wants.
This is not an autobiographical movie; it is not a movie about Picasso. It is about Picasso's live painting, as it was in the middle 1950s. We don't bother with the wives and girlfriends, the alliances and fallings-out with other artists, we don't hear the critics.
We see pictures taking shape under his hand. That is all, and there is nothing like it.
My favorite section, however, comes near the end, as Picasso attempts a large oil painting. Here the film is stop-action, very skillfully done, so that we see the paint appearing brushstroke by stroke, but the hand of the artist is not seen. What is impressive here is the transformation of the layers and composition as Picasso explores in paint. He becomes dissatisfied -- then even more dissatisfied -- saying, "Oh, this is bad. Very bad." And so we get to see the master artist moving from idea to idea, searching for a path to the picture he wants.
This is not an autobiographical movie; it is not a movie about Picasso. It is about Picasso's live painting, as it was in the middle 1950s. We don't bother with the wives and girlfriends, the alliances and fallings-out with other artists, we don't hear the critics.
We see pictures taking shape under his hand. That is all, and there is nothing like it.
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2022
This a wonderful opportunity to follow along with Picasso as he paints...
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2020
A great documentary - rather than having people who knew him talk about Picasso after the fact, this film is all Picasso, during his life. Viewers watch while he draws and paints through the entire film. Very enlightening as to technique and a wonderful insight into how he created art. The bonus features include commentary by authorities from the arts and an earlier documentary that Picasso helped make. Great film! Well worth the price.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2008
I saw The Mystery of Picasso when I was a teenager. I was fascinated by it. Having watched it recently, I realize why. The film shows that Pablo Picasso was a master painter. In this film he paints on a glass so that you can see what he is doing as he does it. During the course of a painting Picasso changes course sometimes ending up with a different scene than the one he sketched out in the beginning. You get to see him create cubist paintings and also semi-realistic paintings. The director does a good job of capturing the painting skill of one of the greatest of twentieth century artists. If you are an artist you will really learn a lot from this documentary. If you are just interested in art, this film will give you a glimpse of the process behind its creation.
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2011
This is an historic work of cinema. In it, you get to see one of the most significant artists of all time in the act of creating. As an artist, watching Picasso paint is mesmerizing - I've seen this video dozens of times and always see something new in his work. It is instructional - learn from it. It is inspirational - grow from it. Some of the dialogue is scripted and the musical score is dated - I just mute the volume and play my own music - you want to watch this for the painting anyway. The tortuous and creative process Picasso goes through on the last two pieces in the film is more than worth the small price of the DVD.
A Life of Picasso: The Prodigy, 1881-1906
A Life of Picasso: The Prodigy, 1881-1906
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2012
Anyone who cares about Picasso or is even slightly interested must watch this film. Picasso promises the viewer that she will be shown the mystery of Picasso and his art. This promise made by the master himself. He does not disappoint either because he takes us on a ride of a lifetime with one work after the other created before the viewers eyes. He allows himself to get into real trouble and to effectively ruin a work only to pull it out of the ashes and go on. Learning from each so called mistake. In this presentation on seeing, the real mistake is not learning about the patient work that painting requires. Picasso will encourage and inspire us all in a life changing way. A must see! William Havlicek PhD
Top reviews from other countries
spiderfriend
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poses questions and breaks down walls.
Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2022
A fine transfer at a very high bitrate, which is the only way, other than the cinema, to experience this visual delight.
Patrick Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent, but....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2018
...those of you who own the Milestone DVD may want to keep it for its two excellent audio commentaries, which this one does not provide. Arrow Academy often seems reluctant to offer audio commentaries, yet there's no denying they put out gorgeous presentations of neglected classics. This is no exception; the film is transferred as it should be, so that its final reel is anamorphic. The picture and sound are terrific and the supplemental features only add to the package.
To label it as merely a documentary is to dismiss it. It is so much more than that. This still ranks as the best movie to depict the mystery of the creative process.
To label it as merely a documentary is to dismiss it. It is so much more than that. This still ranks as the best movie to depict the mystery of the creative process.
7 people found this helpful
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Abe Froman
5.0 out of 5 stars
It’s a Picasso
Reviewed in Canada on September 7, 2020
It’s a great video to watch if you like watching Picasso paint. Seeing the images change and transform on the fly is great to see. Beautiful inks.
Review79
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2020
arrived on time
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
one is able towatch Picasso draw and paint in real time
Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2017
What can be said about this film... one is able to watch Picasso draw and paint in real time...
It is a priceless record of an artists efforts, work, techniques and ideas.
It is a priceless record of an artists efforts, work, techniques and ideas.