William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

William S. Burroughs: A Man Within (2010)

  • 86% of critics liked it
    (14 reviews)

  • 71% of users liked it
    (394 ratings)

Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, WILLIAM S.… More

Play Trailer

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By
Yony Leyser, Jonathan Leyser
Genres
Documentary, Special Interest
In Theaters
Nov 5, 2010 Limited
On DVD
Feb 15, 2011
Oscilloscope Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle

    One fascinating tribute.

  • Ty Burr, Boston Globe

    Mostly, "A Man Within'' is a breezily stylized, very enjoyable trot through the writer's life, theme by theme, era by era.

  • Stephen Holden, New York Times

    There is not a word or image wasted in a documentary you wish ran an extra half-hour beyond its condensed 90 minutes.

  • Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice

    Leyser's collation of interviews and stock footage is polished enough to effectively perpetuate the Burroughs legend.

  • Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

    This one is more geared toward people who aren't already fans, though fans will find much to enjoy.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Rubia Carolina .


    "I have never been gay a day in my life and I'm sure as hell not a part of any movement" Burroughs was a deconstructor of labels (of any type) and that's what especially calls my attention to him. "He opened up to me not gay culture, but gay rebels who… More

  • El Hombre I


    A Man Within is a very good film, one I think you should see, but it is stilted by a pet peevey error in pacing and a chronological mistake by bringing up Joan's death far too late. We are almost an hour into the film-and have already looked at Naked Lunch, the Beats, the dope,… More

  • Greg S


    Documentary on the famous literary outlaw, the cadaverous junkie novelist who beat the censors, and accidentally killed his wife playing "William Tell." Topics include early life, the Beat Generation, homosexuality, drug use, loneliness, and even a little bit of literature;… More

  • Walter M


    The documentary "William S. Burroughs: A Man Within" proves that Peter Weller has starred in other movies except for "Robocop," namely "Naked Lunch" which is based on the works and life of William S. Burroughs.(Weller also narrates this documentary.)… More

Photos

Trailers & Clips

facebook_logo

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

  • Discover movies your friends are watching
  • Keep track of what you want to see
  • Add your reviews to your Timeline