Siskel & Ebert Ed Wood (1994) Review

Siskel and Ebert both love the 1994 oscar winning film Ed Wood (1994)

[@Brennan163]

Ed Wood doesn't deserve a depressing character study, what he deserved was this, a genuinely great film with a truly inspiring message: Visions are worth fighting for, why spend your life making someone else's dreams?

[@4422bon]

I miss THIS Johnny Depp.

[@emmaduncan2991]

He mentioned something about wanting to do films that his kids could see, well now they have an entire franchise to sit through, get back to doing good films!

[@bobthebear1246]

4422bon Me too. Big-time.

[@abe_froman8360]

And THIS Tim Burton.

[@merlin846]

And he misses you.

[@Toobula]

Amen. This was great, then Scissorhands, then WTF happened??

[@Eosimias100]

What I want on my tombstone: HE LOVED PEOPLE HE ALSO LOVED MONSTERS FROM OUTER SPACE

[@louisskulnik7390]

On my Tombstone I want Cheese, Onions, Green Peppers.

[@swampthing94]

One of my all-time favorites, such an underrated masterpiece

[@paulnadratowski3942]

swampthing94 I agree Should have won best picture

[@traysutherland8491]

Tim Burton was definitely the right guy to do this story.

[@MrAkashvj96]

Burton's best movie by a distance.

[@c.c.lilford2916]

+Nameless Paladin Sweeney Todd is a strong contender in my book.

[@KetaceanKyle]

+Crom Cthulhuson I agree.

[@kimdanielthorkildsen7659]

A V i think Edward Scissorhands or Beetlejuice is a little stronger. Don't get me wrong, I love it. It's just that I think when we're talking about the best of Burton, Edward Scissorhands stands taller

[@LumpyAdams]

From a technical standpoint its easily his best.. no whimsical over the top bullshit. It's straight forward, well directed, and a vehicle where all the actors stand out rather than centered around one.

[@JoeyArmstrong2800]

Big Fish is a close second

[@rogerpuzzitiello5175]

They sound so happy when they talk about the movie. It's nice to hear them like that.

[@dnasty312]

In my Top 5 for 1994 The legendary Martin Landau (1928-2017) deserved his Academy Award

[@erakfishfishfish]

Landau was great in this, but I still would’ve voted for Samuel L Jackson for Pulp Fiction. Not mad though.

[@LaurenceQuint]

He was up against Jackson for Pulp Fiction, though, so....while he was certainly terrific, a case can be made that it should have been SLJ.

[@paulvoorhies8821]

@@erakfishfishfish. Agree with you.

[@emmaduncan2991]

"It's not a monster movie, It's a supernatural thriller!"

[@KevinMuller5]

1994 was an amazing year in movies. Ed Wood is Burton's best film, IMO. Depp was perfect here and this was before they sold out

[@nitsujjustin]

Kevin Muller I disagree on the selling out aspect, selling out is when you change everything including yourself and art for money and money only. Tim and Johnny never sold out. They were given too much money and tried to out do each project with a bigger project. Selling out is the band KISS going from Love Gun to I Was Made For Loving You

[@linkbiff1054]

I totally agree this is Burton's best. Batman was also awesome, but none of the others compare.

[@princejohn6560]

A very good year to be a cinephile. This and Pulp Fiction

[@lexikamenturner228]

God, I remember a time when the phrase "the always-inventive Tim Burton" wasn't a sarcastic joke :(

[@zeroeffects88]

Those were the days...

[@NetworkKids]

here's still not that bad.... just doesn't get good stories

[@NetworkKids]

+Anantha he's*

[@JohnWesleyDowney]

+Lexi Kamen Turner Tim must be doing something right. People are still giving him millions and millions and millions of dollars to make films and they're being seen all over the world. Throwing out a one sentence put down of a man who's now in his 3rd decade of making films seems like standard internet brainlessness. When's your next cinematic masterpiece coming out Lexi?

[@lexikamenturner228]

JohnWesley Downey Uhm, right. Because, obviously, making money is the only standard by which we judge the quality of a work of art. That's why Michael Bay is currently in the poor house, whilst František Vláčil was consistently rolling in the Benjamins. I'm not a filmmaker, but my career is focused on film history, criticism, analysis and theory - currently writing three chapters on the representation and implication of girlhood in the Czechoslovak New Wave - I imagine you, yourself, are well versed in film criticism? You seem to know a lot about estimating a film's worth...

[@derekseven1647]

Ed Wood is one of the best films ever made. Period.

[@Dane_Youssef]

It is. A great movie about the worst filmmaker that ever lived.

[@AllenMQuinn]

Johnny Depp got snubbed of a Best Actor oscar nomination.

[@madmanmoviemitch]

Allen M. Quinn Should of won in my opinion. I love Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption and I think both are better movies than Ed Wood, but Depp's performance is better than any other from that year that I've seen.

[@bobthebear1246]

Allen M. Quinn True, although it was such a crowded year in all categories, especially in the Best Actor and Supporting Actor categories. 1994 was such an incredible year for motion pictures, it even outstripped the previous year that gave us such all-time classics as *SCHINDLER'S LIST, THE PIANO,* and *PHILADELPHIA.*

[@aquamarine99911]

Maybe Martin Landau's incredible performance overshadowed Depp in the movie. But I don't think Deep would ever have won. It wasn't really "acting" the way the Academy likes to see it.

[@DeanStrickson]

Allen M. Quinn At least Landau was nominated and won, which is kind of unheard for a comedy.

[@terrihenricks4160]

If Siskel and Ebert didn't invent movie reviews on television, they certainly perfected the art.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Australia's answer were David and Margaret.

[@bobthebear1246]

Spot-on reviews here by our favorite critics. *ED WOOD* truly was one of the best films of 1994, and - Sam Jackson's sore-loser reaction notwithstanding - Martin Landau was simply unbeatable in the Best Supporting Actor category this year. Not only was this his 3rd nomination within 6 years, but this was easily his greatest performance. No one else could have won Best Supporting Actor that year. No one else. It was Martin Landau's year in this category. Completely written-off so many years earlier due to his intense alcoholism - which had nearly cost him his life - Landau successfully beat his demons and launched one of the most successful comebacks in film history. R.I.P. Ya did good. 👍

[@stevieg7228]

Absolutely Gene's best movie review.

[@hectortorres278]

I agree

[@Brennan163]

It's weird how fulfilling it is to see them get so excited by a movie, talking over each other just so they can both fully express how much they loved it.

[@holisticpsychologybyobrien]

It is very rare that we get to see Gene gush over a film such as Ed Wood.

[@KevinMuller5]

i remember when i saw this, when i was 11, and just knowing this was a special movie. it was one of the first films to spark my love of movies

[@linkbiff1054]

Check out his review of St. Elmo's Fire. His best negative review

[@emmaduncan2991]

Quentin Tarantino loves this film pretty much for the same reason, they give, He just went on about how Ed would just pour his heart and soul into these dreadful little movies, But if you watch it nowadays, Glen or Glenda is a nice little plea for understanding.

[@milascave2]

Well, sort of. But then there is the stock footage of a factory. And the weird monolouge by Narrator Bella Lagosi. Who can forget lines like "Beware the big green dragon. Snips and snails and puppy dogs tails?" It's like Wood is poring out his agonized confusion about what boys and girls are made of.

[@erakfishfishfish]

Tarantino has a thing where he always asks for one more shot because why? Cue the whole cast and crew: “because we love making movies!”

[@AnnaLVajda]

I think Tarantino said Black Sunday is one of his favourite 3 films and that is a B movie about vampires too. I really like it but because the Vampires surname in it is Vajda like my name.

[@christianlorre]

That's what TV's Frank said in a MST3K book. He couldn't make a decent film by any standards, but he cared about people like transvestites.

[@bg5469]

@Retro Storm i mean, think about tarantino’s biggest influences: exploitation films, 70s kung fu flicks, and grindhouse action movies. cheese is written into his filmmaking dna. two different kinds of the same contribution to culture in terms of those filmmakers’ work.

[@delavalmilker]

Hard to believe both these guys are gone now.

[@daleholbert3111]

delavalmilker very sad indeed

[@bobthebear1246]

delavalmilker I know 😕

[@timothyflemingdop]

I miss the old Johnny Depp and Tim Burton too.

[@brandonflorida1092]

Somehow Siskel once answered a post I made on some message board decades ago. I had posted something to the effect that some actress was cute and he was among the people who answered my post. His user name was "The Siskel Kid."

[@MrKaywyn]

Ed Wood is stunningly brilliant.

[@captainh3831]

Maybe the most enthusiastic thumbs up review ever from S&E. I think this was possibly their favorite film, because in essence it was about the process of film making.

[@emmaduncan2991]

I always remember Quentin Tarentino talking about this film. And Ed's passion for filmmaking, and how the fact he had no talent for it, was not an issue.

[@nikosvault]

Ebert gave it 3.5 stars. Siskel put it number 3 on his top 10 list for 1994.

[@jamescooper3571]

@@nikosvault Thanks. It deserved 4 stars, though!

[@Danjoker.]

Man 1994 was one of the best years in movie history. We got the Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Forest Gump, the Lion King, Speed, Ed Wood, Leon the Professional and the Mask all in that year.

[@magnusalexander2965]

To anyone who loves Ed Wood for the reasons these guys talk about, watch the movie American Movie from 1999. A fantastic documentary about a guy's tireless struggle to make "the great American movie" without having much talent to go with his infectious enthusiasm. It's great

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

Good God, I love this movie so damn much. It plays on a fine line perfectly between humor and the dark drama of a pathetic real life.

[@armanddebella7594]

Hilarious,unethical and totally off the -rails and Martin Landau got his osc- -ar for his dead on performance as Bela Lugosi.🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

@Johnny Skinwalker - re: "Good God...." Do you often write to God via KZbin Comments?? Does God ever respond?

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@@warriormanmaxx8991 yea but I don't always respond back, sadly.

[@jmleon6313]

I love this movie. And I really miss these guys. R.I.P Siskel & Ebert. An eternal Thumbs Up! Thank you for helping me admire and appreciate the magic of movies.

[@1958Shemp]

These guys NAILED it -- their review made me want to see "Ed Wood" AGAIN (& I've already seen it at least 3 times)! As for "Plan 9..." being "the worst movie ever made" -- hey, there's one thing you've got to say for it: While it may be "bad," it is NEVER DULL and it's always "watchable"...and that's more that you can say for LOTS of movies!

[@erakfishfishfish]

I’ve always said the greatest crime a movie can commit is to be boring. Plan 9 is terrible, but never boring. It’s awfulness is the appeal.

[@chrismaverick9828]

MST3K really hit all the truly bad movies. Manos: Hands of Fate was terrible, and Red Zone Cuba really hit that sweet spot of terrible acting, writing, and editing all in one go. Plan9 was at least comprehensible.

[@pawsnclaws2115]

I miss these guys...so many of KZbin critics who wake up one morning and decided to review movies on their channels can't come close to these two masterful well spoken and articulate lovers of cinema...they were an original and the reel deal.

[@RyMovieGuy]

I’m a fan of other Tim Burton works, but this is his best in so many ways. The story comes together so nicely, it has this positive attitude and it really motivates you. Not everyone will share the same vision or be resentful, but as long as you have passion and the drive you will go far!

[@Wagon_Queen_Family_Truckster]

This was amazing praise for a great movie. I miss watching S&E. I got to meet Roger Ebert once. A really good guy.

[@angelthman]

This film is a masterpiece! Nothing Burton did before or after this comes close.

[@louisskulnik7390]

Edward Scissorhands is right up there. If the name Ed is in there, watch it!

[@Mikeanglo]

This movie is one of those films like Star Wars, or Back to the Future, or The Shawshank Redemption that just has that warm, magical attribute attached to it that makes it timeless. It's not easy to make a film like that, and I feel like I like the film more and more each time I see it.

[@BlackenedLiam]

Couldn't say it better 👏

[@RemixedVoice]

This is easily Burton's best film.

[@Angyali]

8/10 Very good movie, best Burton or Depp ever did.

[@bobthebear1246]

Angelus 9/10 for me

[@nox5870]

Sleepy Hollow? Or Sweeney Todd?

[@yaywhewclips242]

Both Depp and Landau are terrific in this (of course, ML won the BS Oscar). I loved this movie!

[@mst3k3000]

"Two Big Thumbs Up for the unique Ed Wood. A film that will be especially entertaining for people who like cheerful trashiness in those old B-movies. We loved this film and this film loves the movies."

[@sitizenkanemusic]

This movie is brilliant. I can't believe how underrated it is!

[@GlorifiedTruth]

I love the way Ebert starts with, "WELL YOU KNOW, MEAN GENE..."

[@cedfan1]

I completely agree ! Just watched watched it again tonight. Just brilliant !

[@melissa2688]

I truly love this film! Johnny Depp was incredible in the film. Actually, everyone was incredible in this film. This is a film that I will take with me to the island 🏝 😀

[@NeoConnor1]

Siskel was right. This film should be seen at film schools all over the world. But I would have gone a step further. It should be seen by everyone. It is a tribute to all the people who try their best and fame alluded them in life,but it soon did find them,and deservely so. Tim Burton's best,easily.

[@DougWIngate]

It's because he loved filmmaking, that's true, but he liked doing it as fast as possible, because money was most important (he was always poor) and time is money. Ed's true skill is that he was incredibly fast at everything - typing, directing, casting, everything he did at lightning speed. He was so fast that he could never make time to sit down and think "Is this any good"? Combine that with his optimism and drinking, he was blind to any of his flaws. I learned this from reading his biography

[@linkbiff1054]

Ed Wood is certainly one of the best movies about movies. I think Gene would also have been very enthused with The Disaster Artist

[@rubeng370]

This and Hugo are on my top 3 favorite movies about filmmaking and I wish both of them were alive to see the best one, the Disaster Artist

[@NeoConnor1]

All 3 of those are great films. Hugo and Ed Wood are so underrated.

[@erakfishfishfish]

Unpopular opinion, but I loved Zach and Miri Make a Porno. So much of the film was inspired by how Kevin Smith filmed Clerks.

[@sleuthentertainment5872]

It catches the passion for cinema with a warm heart. Burton made one of the biggest tributes ever

[@djkurse9209]

I've seen it once and it's amazing I remember being inspired by the analog film making depicted here

[@kettlepower48]

I remember loving this movie.. especially Martin Landau

[@mjccarpenter]

I loved Gene and his take on movies. Genius.

[@tonyclifton265]

brilliant film. seen it many times and still rewatch it every year. 10/10. i even like "Plan 9 from outer space" too. cheap production values but great narrative and directing. clever use of stock footage. ed wood was a genius and still under-rated

[@michaelanderson2881]

I loved it, and loved the fact that I loved it. A friend I saw it with started laughing during the opening credits and was still laughing as we left the diner and got into our cars to drive home.

[@georgemorley1029]

A very funny film. “We don’t have a permit. Run!”

[@DeepEye1994]

One of the greatest biopics ever made.

[@erakfishfishfish]

Agreed. In terms of biopics, I rank it up there with American Splendor and 24 Hour Party People

[@budarydachas]

Their excitement for just talking about this this film is contageous

[@nathansmith4529]

Depp's best role.

[@edcampion3998]

I agree

[@magistrumartium]

One of my favorite movies of all time.

[@GrassValleyGreg]

One of my favorite movies ever. My favorite Tim Burton AND Johnny Depp movie.

[@jjbuttar4832]

siskel was way smarter than roeper. roeper's reviews arelike my uncle or something talking about a movie

[@jordil6152]

Well Siskel left huge shoes to fill. I’m not a Roeper fan either but I would not envy being Siskel’s follow up act.

[@LannieLord]

I saw this movie at the NYC premiere . Tim Burton came out before the movie and said a few words (he seemed to be in a hurry and did not seem comfortable in a crowded theatre). The movie was fantastic! When it let out , I spotted SPIKE LEE leaving the theatre with this bitter sourpuss look on his face. LOL. They even gave out movie brochure booklets as we went in..I still have mine. When you watch this TODAY - some feelings may be altered as the lady that played Vampira (at that point ; Tim Burton's girlfriend) had a bitter split up a few years later. She had keys to one of his storage warehouses and was selling his stuff off behind his back ! I wonder if anyone got that giant foam rubber octopus ?

[@RebornLeveller]

Wow. This is literally the first positive review I've seen from those guys. Although I'm British so haven't seen a lot from them. But from what I have seen they're usually very negative. I'm glad they enjoyed this underrated classic.

[@raywhitehead730]

I miss them both. One of the great joys in life is to Read a Ebert film review. Such a great writer.

[@ikd3240]

100% agreed! This is Tim Burton's best film by far.

[@goodbyeisthenewhello]

The whole point of the movie, and maybe the best part, is where Ed Woo runs into Orson Wells for a couple minutes and gets some endearing encouragement, about following your dreams, and making them happen "for yourself" as well as others. They didn't even mention that clever scene here. :(

[@georgemorley1029]

I absolutely agree and it’s even more surprising as you say, because I think it’s this scene that reinforces the point Burton was making and that Siskel correctly identified. One of them is this great, visionary auteur, and the other is this absolutely talentless hack, but they still absolutely know where they are both coming from and they both speak the same language when it comes to making movies. They are both true “amateurs” in the absolute sense of doing what they do for love. No matter that they are both at polar opposite ends of the scale, they are living their lives according to the same rules, the same pressures, the same passion. Marvellous scene.

[@erakfishfishfish]

The film Eddie the Eagle has a very similar scene, only with ski jumpers instead of film directors. Now, Ed Wood is light years ahead of Eddie the Eagle in terms of quality, but it’s nice to see that theme play out again.

[@uncensored008]

1994: A VERY good year for supporting actors!

[@Mr06261984]

the most optimistic film of 1994

[@hectorsalcido4106]

Sinise, Jackson and Landau should have had the Oscar split in three pieces.

[@machngunjoe]

1. Big Fish 2. Batman 3. Beetlejuice 4. Ed Wood

[@BrokeNerfing]

Big Fish above Batman? 😑 Millennials

[@fabiobonetta5454]

"When we disagree one of us is wrong. When we agree both of us are right" Rog

[@TulilaSalome]

There's a Dolores Fuller interview where she speaks of Johnny Depp's portrayal of EW, she lived with him during the time depicted in the film.

[@matthewguilliom6933]

It was invigorating that Burton made this movie for people who love good as well as bad movies. Why else would he have had Depp's Wood gain encouragement from Orson Welles. And I loved (as everything else in this great movie) Bela Lugosi ( played by an Oscar earning late great Martin Landau who became Lugosi as Sir Ben became Gandhi) for his indignant, UNflattered reaction @ being compared by a film consultant to Boris Karloff!!!!!

[@orbison]

Top 3 Tim Burton Movies 1. Ed Wood 2. Pee Wee's Big Adventure 3. Frankenweenie (original version, have yet to see his new version)

[@Godzillamovie1]

You forgot Batman and Edward Scissorhands Beetlejuice!

[@dnasty312]

1. Ed Wood 2. Edward Scissorhands 3. Beetlejuice 4. Sweeney Todd 5. Batman

[@yaywhewclips242]

I adored Edward Scissor hands.

[@SparksDrinker]

orbison Nice bike, Peeeee Weeeee.

[@louisskulnik7390]

Such a sweet review. I am a fan of "bad stuff" (worst of lists, etc. Hey, I like a good train wreck.) That being said: I have watched this review many times and will again soon. Love it!

[@princejohn6560]

One of my favourite movies

[@PhantomMagician1846]

The acting in this film is great, the movie is funny and inspiring. I even did a review of Bride Of The Monster on my channel

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

Loved Ed Wood, it's inspirational and at the same time terrifying. The idea that someone can love making movies as much as Ed, but be remembered as the Worst Director of All Time; it just terrifies me. Just knowing that you could throw everything into a movie, and be so horribly ridiculed and mocked. I love this movie regardless.

[@greyeyed123]

I can't believe the movie is almost 30 years old.

[@nozecone]

I went around for about two months telling all and sundry: "I will create a race of atomic super-men!"

[@pawsnclaws2115]

I miss Siskel & Ebert

[@oobrocks]

I often think "y was S & E so good?" It's several factors but unlike young utube critics, they knew their subjects. Plus very little humor unlike modern critics using a ton of humor and a modicum of intelligence

[@fungiblast]

This is Burton's masterpiece.

[@GreenGretel]

Tim Burton's masterpiece. His filmography was all downhill from here.

[@ECL28E]

No. Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd, Frankenweenie, Big Fish, those were good films.

[@GreenGretel]

ECL28E I never said he hasn't made a decent film since (although I'd disagree with you on a couple of those), just that this was his creative apex.

[@gramztoker842]

Sleepy Hollow was great and so was Big Fish.

[@SparksDrinker]

GreenGretel backhanded compliment.

[@MrGabeanator]

GreenGretel not

[@raymondjosh9201]

"What's to protect? It's perfect!" My fav Depp & Burton collaboration!

[@alext8828]

My reaction was that it was the best movie I had ever seen.

[@fringelilyfringelily391]

Ed Wood is a beautiful and uplifting film, with a wonderful film-score.

[@danielm3192]

Such a great movie with so many great performances all around, including an excellent film score by Howard Shore.

[@whade62000]

From TV to RetroJunk to old KZbin to new KZbin Is this how we preserve historic media now

[@Quasatoad]

I really miss these guys. They were GREAT!!!

[@Symphonia30]

Ed wood sure did have a passion for film, no matter how bad it is.

[@sallybrown4947]

Great movie.

[@josephc7232]

They are right. It's an amazing movie

[@despeinado340]

The video quality makes Gene Siskel look as if he were melting.

[@stationarywanderer7910]

Gosh, remember when Johnny Depp and Tim Burton were this good?

[@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

This was Scott and Larry's first of the four biopics they wrote. After they redeemed themselves from "Problem Child", they moved on to write this film and it received critical acclaim, leading the duo to write the next 3 biopics after this: The People vs. Larry Flynt, Man on the Moon and Dolemite is My Name.

[@robertdogg9499]

Move it's arms and legs around. Make like it's killing you!

[@aquamarine99911]

The scene that single-handedly won Landau the Oscar. And i just knew he would while I was sitting in the audience watching it when EW first came out. Spectacular performance.

[@johnloring3887]

A truly great, yet under appreciated movie.

[@jahsehjoestar]

the fact that they recorded this with a human eye ball with all the little squiggly lines in it is bad ass

[@jonathanjollimore7156]

RIP Siskel & Ebert

[@ashandwit]

BOY, Siskel was passionate about this one!! Glad to hear it, and I agree with everything he said.

[@dizbang3073]

I'm watching "Plan 9" right now - 10/26 - it's almost genius in its corn-acity. Is that a word?

[@LockeDemosthenes2]

The three best Tim Burton movies ever imo were Ed Wood, Big Eyes, and Big Fish. All three were also relatively unsuccessful compared to his lesser films, unfortunately.

[@GrassValleyGreg]

I love Ed Wood. My favorite Depp and Burton movie.

[@milascave2]

This was a good movie. But it also portrayed Mr. Wood as more wholesome and less weird than he really was. He didn't change the name to "Plan nine" because his producer wanted him too. He changed it to avoid paying back his depts. He became a heavy drinker. He later started making porn, straight and gay. He seemed to be quite confused about his sexualiy. But God love him, you got to love "Glen or Glenda." in his own way, Mr. Wood was a pioneer.

[@MilesVideos10000]

True, but if it was more factual, it probably wouldn't be the masterpiece it is.

[@maxhandlen4933]

He had a vision and made it happen. Whether you believe his movies are good, bad, or in my opinion so bad they're good, you gotta give the man huge props for actually going out and making the movies he wanted to make. Glenn or Glenda is one hell of an achievement I think. In the 50s being a transvestite was extreme taboo and along with homosexuality it was known as a "contagious disease to the mind". In a time when simply being a transvestite was frowned upon, he went out and made a movie about it. He went out and said "Let me educate you, you predigest assholes.". He's been dead for about 40 years and has a huge fan base. Too bad he was dead by the time he was noticed.

[@eddiecampion2410]

tim burtons best movie a classic

[@ezrasky3761]

Ed Wood is fantastic, but its not his best film.

[@countessofgroan9014]

"This is the film they'll remember me by..." applies just as much to Burton as it did to Wood back then.