Gordon Willis, ASC on THE PARALLAX VIEW (Alan J. Pakula, 1974)

Legendary cinematographer Gordon Willis, ASC discusses his collaboration with Alan J. Pakula on The Parallax View. There are some particularly interesting comments about the use of light and the understanding of space in motion pictures, as well as the treatment of reality. The interview was conducted for the American Society of Cinematographers in 2004.
For educational purposes only. Non-commercial purposes.

[@davidnelson6874]

The Parallax View is a movie that is all but forgotten by far too many people. It’s an absolute classic. With a bigger budget it could have been a wider known landmark.

[@ackamack101]

It is an absolute classic regardless of its budget. It is a masterfully understated work of film storytelling (and cinematography) that is so quiet in its approach. Like Chinatown, it is a movie that you have to pay attention to. Nothing like this being made today, that's for sure.

[@doreekaplan2589]

How can anyone know what "far too many " others have forgotten? I rember it being great, unusual

[@jonisafreak3]

It’s a masterpiece of filmmaking and one of the greatest political thrillers I’ve ever seen. That ending floored me.

[@jacobadams5924]

no, no, no, less is more....less is more...that's the moral of the making of that movie....

[@GroupCaptain-LionelMandrake]

Some films are so spectacular, you wish you’d never seen it. Because, once you’ve seen it, you know you can never have that unique experience again. Fabulous films are a truly wonderful experience. The Parallax View is one of those films.

[@Psychonaut-im3zz]

Movie made an impactful memory when I was very young. Most notably the ending (the red/white/blue, related it to dutch flag back then), and the scaffolding (rafters), and the sense of scale. Movie is a visual/artistic masterpiece.

[@rafaelnycpr]

This is one of my favorite movies from the 70s. Willis contrasted deep darkness and bright light throughout this film. The film looked very modern for it's time. So many distance shots, with the main character usually isolated in the center or on the far side. Pakula, Willis and Beatty are superb here. The music by Micheal Small matched the creepiness of the film. The Parallax View is as timely today as it ever was,

[@lennoxmate4064]

It’s a truly great movie. I actually wonder if the distance shots, especially the one where he’s on the amusement park train with his friend giving him a new identity is a sign they were watching him right from the very start?

[@JM-lw3nx]

he is brilliant, loved this movie and need to watch it again!

[@leosbaboguerra]

I can't stop listening to this guy. What a man!

[@grizzuh]

Such a great Movie! Gordon was one of the Best… 🌟

[@ononearts]

Great insights on framing, exposure, and cutting. Thank you!

[@philpritchard5173]

Great interview. Thank you.

[@miniflem1]

I hadn't heard that he'd passed, this is a really great interview.

[@videofan006]

One of the best movies of that time period. Very strong in conveying the message through images. Some scenes were a bit longer perhaps but therefore requiring to look more "into" the scene, and living it through with a different speed. Very memorable movie.

[@jorbdan6305]

I like that Willis is so willing to criticize his own work and be honest about what he would've liked to change

[@charleskennedy1712]

Wow, thank you for posting this. TPV is one of the best movies of all time

[@oldchicken2]

Thanks so much for sharing this! Could listen to this guy talk all day

[@TheYorkie72]

Very interesting listening to this guy talking about one of my favourite films. Thanks for the upload 👍

[@LeadershipAlliance]

BRILLIANT. Thank you 🙏

[@sendtosw]

Great movie, one of my all-time favorites.

[@Coal-RubL]

Such beautiful cinematography

[@TheGarageOnSchick]

quality content always - thank you!

[@sclogse1]

"I just love figures in space, surrounded by an environment." Hello, Antonioni....

[@steadfastandyx4947]

I watched Malice recently and this gentleman's name was on it. 1993. Good film.

[@REMVPS]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[@biglazybeastproductions]

What makes this such a great insight into filmmaking is that he acknowledges his mistakes and what he doesn't like. Even after years of experience, great filmmakers can still mess up sometimes.

[@alexanderfriel7160]

This movie need more attention

[@andrews527]

Insane that he wasn't nominated for Godfather 1 and 2.

[@saiBee7]

Wow thanks man. ❤️

[@rosedrop4959]

Another fave seen moons ago i like warren

[@zibbyzubb]

such a good movie.

[@risseldyrosseldy910]

the music score ,if there is one,can "suggest",or enhance the atmospherics (duh)of the scene .In this genre , like 1975's Marathon Man , Don Ellis provide the perfect aural surreality for the narrative's dark revelations .

[@danapeck5382]

Great performance by Beattie, too

[@EMEL-hr4ut]

Beattie's laconic style and demeanour was perfect for the part. The only time he gets agitated is the ending and the brilliant plane scene.

[@johnparke5880]

And True.

[@angusquake]

I spotted what might be a sly fleeting reference to the late Queen of Conspiracy Theorists. Around the 49-minute mark Joe Frady shows up in the office of his editor, Bill Rintels. Frady opens a newspaper and we see a big ad for I. Magnin, the upscale store founded by the great-grandparents of Mae Brussell (née Magnin). From the description of her biography: "Mae was a wealthy socialite, but on the day JFK was shot in Dallas, her whole life changed and she became obsessed with trying to find the truth as to who killed him, what their links were to notorious Nazis brought to the U.S. during Operation Paperclip, and how it played into a larger conspiracy of rising fascism in America."

[@sanilalkuttimon1755]

❤️❤️

[@KhaldyFathy]

❤️

[@harrypalmer4857]

I get genuinely scared when his ex-girlfriend turns up dead. Fantastic stuff.

[@thegreenbird795]

6:00 I wonder how many skyscrapers have been built on that land in the las 50 years?

[@HC-cb4yp]

There's BIG black monster building you can see out the windows now.

[@docradakovic1400]

the key is when he says "and true" this weekend showed this is still happening... they found another patsy and instead of Parallax it was Blackrock this time

[@janekay2001]

confused as to who you mean is the patsy. the shooter?

[@MrMjolnir69]

Director killed in freak accident needless to say.

[@anthonyclarke5579]

Dreadfully under-viewed film. Download ASAP and get strapped in. A much over looked classic.

[@SuperAntichicken]

Trump 2024

[@HC-cb4yp]

Why are there fake scratches on this "film?"

[@danielraim4266]

The scratches, unfortunately, are not fake. This interview was shot on 16mm, and we scanned it to HD for the piece.

[@joeyb7373]

Trump 2024