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Film

  • 1965
  • Not Rated
  • 20m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Buster Keaton in Film (1965)
DramaShort

A twenty-minute, almost totally silent film (no dialogue or music, save one 'shhh!') in which Buster Keaton attempts to evade observation by an all-seeing eye. But, as the film is based arou... Read allA twenty-minute, almost totally silent film (no dialogue or music, save one 'shhh!') in which Buster Keaton attempts to evade observation by an all-seeing eye. But, as the film is based around Bishop Berkeley's principle 'esse est percipi' (to be is to be perceived), Keaton's ver... Read allA twenty-minute, almost totally silent film (no dialogue or music, save one 'shhh!') in which Buster Keaton attempts to evade observation by an all-seeing eye. But, as the film is based around Bishop Berkeley's principle 'esse est percipi' (to be is to be perceived), Keaton's very existence conspires against his efforts

  • Directors
    • Samuel Beckett
    • Alan Schneider
  • Writer
    • Samuel Beckett
  • Stars
    • Buster Keaton
    • Nell Harrison
    • James Karen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    2.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Samuel Beckett
      • Alan Schneider
    • Writer
      • Samuel Beckett
    • Stars
      • Buster Keaton
      • Nell Harrison
      • James Karen
    • 17User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos29

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    Top Cast4

    Edit
    Buster Keaton
    Buster Keaton
    • The Man
    Nell Harrison
    Nell Harrison
    • Old Woman
    James Karen
    James Karen
    • Passerby
    Susan Reed
    Susan Reed
    • Passerby
    • Directors
      • Samuel Beckett
      • Alan Schneider
    • Writer
      • Samuel Beckett
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.42.4K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8klausming

    E and O

    A bizarre short experimental film penned by author Samuel Beckett, Film is based on his interest of philosopher George Berkeley's concept of "subjective idealism", an 18th century philosophical notion which suggests that the existence of material substance cannot exist without being perceived. As "O" – the Observer, Keaton attempts to escape "E" – the Eye of observation, which includes the camera – to which his back is turned throughout much of the production.

    Largely indecipherable without Beckett's explanation, "O" hides from the gaze of every living thing, including himself, in a small cell-like room as both precursor and condition for his character's death.

    And, if you are the least bit curious about Film, be sure to watch Ross Lipman's fascinating Kino Essay "Notfilm" (2015).
    10jnorvet

    Two Masters, simple majesty

    I was in art school in 1971 when my Persian art teacher who was well connected in the New York scene showed us this remarkable piece of black-and-white art. It was pristine 16mm print, and from the first frame I found it funny, disturbing and masterful. Keaton is one of the gods of physical comedy and he says more with his body in this short piece of film than many comics can say in a lifetime of work. The irony of this piece is that it is pure art, with nothing "arty" about it; The production is first rate, but nothing is out of place or over-the-top. It is part allegory, part silent shtick and pure Beckett, as well as pure Keaton. The plot is so simple, any description will spoil it.If you have the rare privilege to see it, do.
    9dk-27479

    Absurdist Legacy

    Samuel Beckett is popularly known for his absurdity in theatres what we can see in the case of " Waiting for Godot" which is considered as the benchmark for absurdism in literature. Same kind of literary trends can be easily assessed in the case of 'Film' as well , there is not any dialogue between any character. Protagonist of the ' Film' is an oldman who seems in the last stage of his life , feels himself alienated or I can say that keeps himself alienated from external world, he seems very frustrated from Old aged life , and keeps himself checking that whether he is alive or not...
    Jon-163

    Weird!!

    This is a very odd film. Samuel Beckett's only venture into the motion pictures, oddly enough stars "The Great Stone Face", silent/sound star, Buster Keaton. This film, which is only 20 minutes in length, is Buster Keaton's only venture into the psychological part of the cinema. It has no music, dialogue or sound effects which makes this a truly "silent" film. It is a unique piece of motion picture history.
    dvdrach

    Actually titled, The Goad?

    I was under the impression this film is titled, The Goad, as a theatre prof. in college (who did her dissertation on Beckett) told my class. At the time I saw this film I thought it was weird, but I still remember it and it is an inspiration to my own short-film writing even now.

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    Related interests

    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The story of making "Film" was the basis of a play "The Stone Face" by Sherry MacDonald. The play was read in Orlando at the 2006 New Playfest, and work shopped at the 2007 New Playfest.
    • Connections
      Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #3.3 (1990)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 8, 1966 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Also known as
      • The Eye
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Evergreen
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 20m
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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