The True Adventures of Raoul Walsh
2014
Action / Biography / Documentary

The True Adventures of Raoul Walsh
2014
Action / Biography / Documentary
Plot summary
This is the first feature-length documentary on legendary director Raoul Walsh. In this 'memoir,' Walsh 'recounts' his career from the silent film era to the tumultuous 1960s. The documentary makes stunning use of rare, personal and production photos and footage, revealing Walsh's extraordinary, adventurous life on and off the set. From his apprenticeship with D.W. Griffith to his discovery of John Wayne and Rock Hudson, from the innovative 'The Thief of Bagdad' (1924) to the widescreen 'The Big Trail' (1930), from his classic work with Cagney, Bogart and Flynn to his mastery of every genre (musicals, comedies, Westerns, gangster, war), Walsh made Hollywood history. His life is nothing less than the story of Hollywood itself. Here's a full-bodied account of one of Hollywood's greatest legends.
Director
Tech specs
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Good primer.
Better than most
This documentary is better than most such documentaries, but it fails to live up to the subject who is a lot more interesting than most other directors. It also fails to explore in more depth his relationships with some of the stars who he is forever linked with. That's why it gets a 7. Other than that, it is pretty good, with lots of time with Walsh and some of the people who worked with him. If you're not familiar with his work, this is a good place to start. Every so often TCM has a series of showings of great directors (like John Ford) and they have one about Walsh as well, so be sure to record it when they do. FWIW here are my favorite Walsh films, in order - Battle Cry, They Died with their Boots on, They Drive by Night, High Sierra, White Heat, Roaring Twenties.