Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff

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Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff

2011,

1h 26m,

Documentary

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Watchlist

97%

29 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

This documentary explores the life of Jack Cardiff, a former child actor who went on to achieve great things in film. But Cardiff didn't excel in front of the camera; he mastered the camera itself, using his painting background to perfect the art of lighting in cinema. Cardiff's talent as a cinematographer is seen in clips from some of his most acclaimed works, like "Black Narcissus" and "The Red Shoes," while the praise of luminaries like Martin Scorsese cements his legend.

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Leba Hertz

San Francisco Chronicle

Jul 28, 2011

3/4

Although we never really learn much about his life outside the movies, by the end of the film we are in awe of his work accomplishments.

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Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

Jul 8, 2011

3/4

"Cameraman" should be required viewing for anyone interested in becoming more visually literate in an ever-more-media-drenched age.

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Ty Burr

Boston Globe

Jun 23, 2011

3/4

Cardiff was the greatest color cameraman who ever lived.

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics (Substack)

May 5, 2025

If you love movies, you really ought to see Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff.

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Ellie Lucas

From the Front Row

Aug 5, 2019

3/4

For fans of Cardiff, for fans of the Archers, and for fans of all great cinema, Cameraman is a must-see.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Nov 12, 2017

A-

His story ends in 2009, but his achievements live on, with "Cameraman" a sublime education on the masterful work of Jack Cardiff.

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Craig McCall

Director

Jack Cardiff

Actor

Martin Scorsese

Actor

Kirk Douglas

Actor

Lauren Bacall

Actor

John Mills

Actor

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Synopsis

This documentary explores the life of Jack Cardiff, a former child actor who went on to achieve great things in film. But Cardiff didn't excel in front of the camera; he mastered the camera itself, using his painting background to perfect the art of lighting in cinema. Cardiff's talent as a cinematographer is seen in clips from some of his most acclaimed works, like "Black Narcissus" and "The Red Shoes," while the praise of luminaries like Martin Scorsese cements his legend.

Director: Craig McCall
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: UK Film Council
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 13, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0K
Runtime: 1h 26m

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