For younger movie fans whose cinematic history begins somewhere around Spielberg or Demme, with an obligatory backward nod to "Kane" and "Vertigo", this is a useful introduction to the work of one of Hollywood's finest twentieth century film makers. For those like me, however, who are already familiar with Stevens' body of work and seek some insight into his personality, influences, and background this is a most disappointing work. I mean, I don't see how a son can make a two hour bio/doc of his dad without mentioning his mom. Even once! Nor is there any info on Stevens' mother or father or siblings or friends or enemies. Just a compendium of films, one after the other, all of which are, to a greater or lesser degree, praised, some deservedly ("Giant", "Sun" "Alice Adams", "More The Merrier") some undeservedly, like "Greatest Story" which is described by its star, Max Von Sydow, as a "beautiful failure" instead of the stultifying bore that it is. Or "Anne Frank" which is crippled by the mediocrity of Millie Perkins performance for which Stevens must be held at least somewhat responsible. C plus.
