Documentary Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)


Robert Mitchum:
The Reluctant Star (1991)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 7/26

Rmrel
7/26: Robert Mitchum: The Reluctant Star is a nice one-hour documentary honoring the film noir legend.

Video clips are shown, covering Robert Mitchum's career from 1942 to 1975 with one more from 1984. A treat is four of his favorite leading ladies in support: Deborah Kerr, Jane Greer, Jane Russell, and Sarah Miles. Ditto for a couple of directors: Sydney Pollack (The Yakuza) and Edward Dmytryk (Crossfire).

Since Polly Bergen and Ali MacGraw appear, I wonder why there's nothing from The Winds of War. As interesting as Robert Mitchum's biography is, the documentary doesn't tell enough. Therefore, I recommend two books: Robert Mitchum: "Baby I Don't Care" and Mitchum: In His Own Words.

All in all, Oscar-nominated just once throughout his career, Robert Mitchum was the most underrated actor of the 20th century.