Cut down from a two-part, three-hour interview originally aired on French television, this exemplary documentary — which aired in this version as part of the PBS
American Masters series — brings vigor to a talking-heads format. Though it includes readings from tough-guy author Norman Mailer's works, it's primarily a vehicle for Mailer's thoughts about politics, literary reputations and the decline of modern culture. As much a history of twentieth century America as it is a backward glance at Mailer's ouevre, it examines Mailer's work in the context of his unflinching beliefs:
The Naked and The Dead reveals his reservations about war, while
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Released:
2000
Rated:
NR
Length:
90 mins