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Visions of Light

  • 1992
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
Visions of Light (1992)
DocumentaryHistory

Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography, illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from Birth of a Nation to Do the Right Thing.Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography, illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from Birth of a Nation to Do the Right Thing.Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography, illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from Birth of a Nation to Do the Right Thing.

  • Directors
    • Arnold Glassman
    • Todd McCarthy
    • Stuart Samuels
  • Writer
    • Todd McCarthy
  • Stars
    • Conrad L. Hall
    • John Bailey
    • Vilmos Zsigmond
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    3.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Arnold Glassman
      • Todd McCarthy
      • Stuart Samuels
    • Writer
      • Todd McCarthy
    • Stars
      • Conrad L. Hall
      • John Bailey
      • Vilmos Zsigmond
    • 21User reviews
    • 27Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Photos

    Visions of Light (1992)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Conrad L. Hall
    Conrad L. Hall
    • Self
    • (as Conrad Hall)
    John Bailey
    John Bailey
    • Self
    Vilmos Zsigmond
    Vilmos Zsigmond
    • Self
    Charles Lang
    Charles Lang
    • Self
    • (as Charles B. Lang)
    Ernest R. Dickerson
    Ernest R. Dickerson
    • Self
    • (as Ernest Dickerson)
    Michael Chapman
    Michael Chapman
    • Self
    Allen Daviau
    Allen Daviau
    • Self
    Caleb Deschanel
    Caleb Deschanel
    • Self
    Lisa Rinzler
    • Self
    William A. Fraker
    William A. Fraker
    • Self
    Néstor Almendros
    Néstor Almendros
    • Self
    • (as Nestor Almendros)
    Charles Rosher Jr.
    • Self
    • (as Charles D. Rosher)
    Stephen H. Burum
    • Self
    Harry L. Wolf
    • Self
    • (as Harry Wolf)
    Sven Nykvist
    Sven Nykvist
    • Self
    Robert Wise
    Robert Wise
    • Self
    László Kovács
    László Kovács
    • Self
    • (as Laszlo Kovacs)
    James Wong Howe
    James Wong Howe
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • Directors
      • Arnold Glassman
      • Todd McCarthy
      • Stuart Samuels
    • Writer
      • Todd McCarthy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Todd McCarthy had hoped to include an interview with the legendary cinematographer, John Alton, whose work is highlighted in the film, but could not locate him. Alton had quit the movie business after working on Elmer Gantry (1960), and for many years, even close friends didn't know his whereabouts, or if he was still alive. In 1992, McCarthy was shocked to receive a phone call from the now 91-year-old Alton, who had heard about Visions of Light (1992), and wanted to attend the premiere. Alton insisted that there was nothing mysterious in his disappearance, that he and his wife had simply decided to give up the movie business and travel a bit. They had lived in France, Germany, and Argentina, and had a great time. Alton died in 1996 at the age of 95.
    • Quotes

      Vittorio Storaro: I understood at that moment that cinema really has no nationality.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Benny & Joon/The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom/Map of the Human Heart/Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography (1993)
    • Soundtracks
      Shadow Waltz
      (uncredited)

      Music by Harry Warren

      Lyrics by Al Dubin

      Played and sung during a clip from Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

    User reviews21

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Excellent
    Simply, this is one of the best documentaries I've seen on the art and science of making movies. This one is from the cinematographer's point of view and uses many excellent interviews along with miles of illustrative movie clips. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in the creative process of filmmaking.
    helpful•4
    1
    • Kevin_Maness
    • Jul 25, 2000

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    FAQ1

    • What is the song that is played in the very beginning and very end?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 24, 1993 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Japan
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Art of Cinematography
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • American Film Institute (AFI)
      • NHK
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $799,856
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $27,761
      • Feb 28, 1993
    • Gross worldwide
      • $799,856
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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