American Grindhouse (2009)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(404 ratings)

Dive into the sordid history of American exploitation films in this documentary narrated by Academy Award-nominee Robert Forster, and featuring interviews with John Landis, William Lustig, Larry Cohen, Jack Hill, and Herschell Gordon Lewis. This is the story of the movies that kept audiences coming… More Dive into the sordid history of American exploitation films in this documentary narrated by Academy Award-nominee Robert Forster, and featuring interviews with John Landis, William Lustig, Larry Cohen, Jack Hill, and Herschell Gordon Lewis. This is the story of the movies that kept audiences coming back to the cinema for more, and the filmmakers who helped turn bad taste into fine art. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Elijah Drenner
Written By: Elijah Drenner, Calum Waddell
Genres: Documentary, Television

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2010 Wide
On DVD: Jul 26, 2011
Studio: Gravitas

Critic Reviews

Mike Hale, New York Times
In its academic approach, American Grindhouse is like sex ed: the lecture gets tedious, but it's worth sitting through for the pictures.
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice
Nitpicky enough to please film-history nerds but lively in a way that should tickle the merely curious.
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Traces the history, excesses, and glory of unsavory cinema, providing a magnificent education in the process, communicating the nuances and traditions of a brand often disregarded as forgettable schlock.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Highly recommended viewing not only for grindhouse fans but for anyone with an interest in film history.
Jason Zingale, Bullz-Eye.com
American Grindhouse is a little vanilla in its presentation, but it's a pretty fascinating story nonetheless.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
American Grindhouse seems to miss the irony of what the recent proliferation of faux-exploitation films actually partially represents.
Maitland McDonagh, Film Journal International
Entertaining and knowledgeable history of American exploitation movies.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

This follow-up of sorts to NIGHTMARES IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE provides a history of (non-horror) exploitation films in the U.S. Compared to NIGHTMARES, this shorter documentary covers its shallower subject in greater depth (if that makes sense).
Reid V

Not perfect. Skips over some important figures such as Roger Corman. However, a pretty excellent primer on one of the most notorious and misunderstood genres in cinema history.
Melvin W

A pretty interesting and very entertaining look at the low class exploitation films of the past. What makes the documentary good is that John Landis and Joe Dante are involved. They are two very interesting directors who have made good movies. They love movies and it really shows in… More
A pretty interesting and very entertaining look at the low class exploitation films of the past. What makes the documentary good is that John Landis and Joe Dante are involved. They are two very interesting directors who have made good movies. They love movies and it really shows in American Grindhouse. When they are talking it feels like an extended Trailers From Hell episode. Landis says probably the most important quote for people who are looking at getting into grindhouse films. "Most of them are shit, but every once in awhile you'll find a good one."
Panta O

As a Historian of Art I was interested in this documentary which chronicles the history of the American exploitation film, especially when I found out that I can see exclusive interviews with John Landis, Joe Dante, Jack Hill, Don Edmonds, Fred Williamson, Allison Anders, James Gordon… More
As a Historian of Art I was interested in this documentary which chronicles the history of the American exploitation film, especially when I found out that I can see exclusive interviews with John Landis, Joe Dante, Jack Hill, Don Edmonds, Fred Williamson, Allison Anders, James Gordon White, Larry Cohen, William Lustig, Herschell Gordon Lewis, Judy Brown, Jeremy Kasten, Jonathan Kaplan, Bob Minor, Lewis Teague, David Hess and Fred Olen Ray. Interviews were not bad, but this is sold as a documentary. Disappointment was in the part that I felt that this documentary exploits the history of exploitation film - and doing it very superficially! I liked the part where we could see the obscure, mostly-forgotten '50s childbirth films that were produced and promoted as educational... because just reminds us that nothing has changed! Same things are done today! And this documentary is just a part of it.
Professor W

A documentary about the history of grindhouse/exploitation cinema. It does a very good job introducing Grindhouse to people who may not know much. It misses a few things and has a little room for improvement but overall it does a great job. Great for people interested in the genre… More
A documentary about the history of grindhouse/exploitation cinema. It does a very good job introducing Grindhouse to people who may not know much. It misses a few things and has a little room for improvement but overall it does a great job. Great for people interested in the genre and in movie history.