These Amazing Shadows (2011)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(312 ratings)

The documentary These Amazing Shadows explains the importance of the National Film Registry, an organization that protects films they deem culturally and historically significant. The filmmakers interview some of the biggest directors of their time including John Lasseter, Rob Reiner, and… More The documentary These Amazing Shadows explains the importance of the National Film Registry, an organization that protects films they deem culturally and historically significant. The filmmakers interview some of the biggest directors of their time including John Lasseter, Rob Reiner, and Christopher Nolan. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Paul Mariano, Kurt Norton
Written By: Paul Mariano, Kurt Norton
Genres: Documentary, Television

In Theaters: May 6, 2011 Limited
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Jen Chaney, Washington Post
"Shadows" is an 88-minute valentine to cinema, a reminder of why we continue returning to the multiplex, and an abiding faith in the power of film to transport us to faraway places.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
"Shadows'' is a deeply heartfelt, if scattered, effort that plays like an Oscar-night clip show with a mission.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
For lovers of American filmmaking, "These Amazing Shadows" may be the ultimate sampler buffet.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Entertaining, but only revealing when the directors visit the Library of Congress film storage vaults in Culpeper, Va., where close to 130,000 rolls of fragile and damaged nitrate motion-picture film are kept in 124 climate-controlled vaults.
Betsy Sherman, Boston Phoenix
If movies are our kiss-kiss-bang-bang arenas of desire, then this addictive movie-centric documentary from Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton makes the Library of Congress sound like the Playboy Mansion.
Les Wright, culturevulture.net
a long commercial promotion for The National Film Registry
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Anyone who loves movies will find a great deal to adore and admire about this new movie.
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Film preservation is an important part of our culture and the documentary details exactly why that is.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
This is one government-sponsored project that is committed to saving Americana that could have been lost forever.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Documentary has more on its mind than just showing off the riches of America's cinematic heritage.
Norm Schrager, Filmcritic.com
it's interesting to hear what kind of films are important to Rob Reiner or Wayne Wang but, frankly, we've seen more insightful, emotional responses in any AFI TV special
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a fascinating documentary...

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Nice documentary highlighting the important preservation work being done by the National Film Registry.
Byron B

The final movie I saw at the 2011 CIFF was this one about the National Film Registry. The celebrities talking about their favorite movies and clips from the classics are nothing new compared to AFI specials and other best lists. The fact that this Registry is about preserving… More
The final movie I saw at the 2011 CIFF was this one about the National Film Registry. The celebrities talking about their favorite movies and clips from the classics are nothing new compared to AFI specials and other best lists. The fact that this Registry is about preserving culturally and historically significant films is what makes it worth while to me. The archivists that work for the Library of Congress do not go into many details about how the preservation happens, though the discussion about censorship and restoring films is a treat. However what really sets this apart is what sets the Registry list apart from most best lists. Documentaries, home movies, music videos, and industrial films are all included. This doc has a sense of humor at times and a sense of weightiness about the cultural records that will be left for future generations. Also an interesting fact is that the National Film Registry takes nominations every year from the general public, so check out http://www.loc.gov/film/vote.html.