American Cinema 1994
What is American Cinema?
American Cinema is a 13-episode television series produced by PBS to commemorate 100 years of movie-going. The program serves as a chronicle of the history of Hollywood and the development of filmmaking.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1994
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 13
- Runtime
- 55 minutes
- First aired
- Jan 1, 1994
- Last aired
- Aug 22, 1996
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Genres
- Documentary
- Updated
Where to watch
Stream
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 13 episodes and an average 55-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
American Cinema is a 13-episode television series produced by PBS to commemorate 100 years of movie-going. The program serves as a chronicle of the history of Hollywood and the development of filmmaking. Through an analysis of the industry, the series explores the evolution of American cinema from its origins to the contemporary era. Each episode utilizes archival footage, iconic scenes from classic films, and expert commentary from film scholars and critics to examine the craft. The series also features interviews with prominent figures in the industry, including Robert Altman, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Spike Lee, George Lucas, Sidney Lumet, and Julia Roberts. By combining these various elements, the production provides a detailed look at the history of the medium. The series was created to celebrate the significance of movie magic and remains a definitive record of the American film industry as presented on PBS. It offers viewers a comprehensive perspective on the artistic and technical milestones that have defined the history of motion pictures over the past century.
Should you watch it?
“Explore a century of movie-going through this definitive documentary chronicle of American cinema.”
- features rare archival film and key scenes
- includes interviews with leading filmmakers
- provides commentary from film scholars and critics
- relies on archival material which may feel dated to some viewers
- limited availability of complete episode details in source texts
Watch it if you want to learn about the history of Hollywood and filmmaking.
This documentary series is suitable for general audiences interested in film history.
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Frequently asked questions
When was American Cinema released?
The series aired in the mid-1990s, specifically starting in 1994 according to available records.
How many episodes are in the series?
The series consists of 13 episodes created by PBS.
Who is interviewed in the series?
Interviewees include Robert Altman, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Spike Lee, George Lucas, Sidney Lumet, and Julia Roberts, among others.
What is the subject of the series?
The series chronicles the history of American cinema and filmmaking over 100 years of movie-going.
What materials are used in the production?
It combines rare archival film, key scenes from movies, filmmaker interviews, and commentary from scholars and critics.