midbrowcontrarian

My considerably lower rating than the others so far may suggest I don't think much of Dali. Not a bit of it. I've been an admirer for over fifty years, and made rewarding pilgrimages to Cadaques, Port Lligat, and the Theatre Museum in Figueres.

The great irony of Salvador Dali is that his showmanship overshadowed a credible claim to be the 20th century's greatest painter, if not one of the all time greats. Anyone could have charged through The Lacemaker carrying a lance, but only Dali , aged fourteen, painted Still Life (1918) which wouldn't have looked out of place in a Vermeer exhibition. Of over a dozen Dali documentaries I've seen, this is the most crazily Dalinian, with only fleeting glimpses of any paintings. It's worth watching, but there are many I prefer which focus more on the paintings.

Possibly the best general documentary is Dali biographer Ian Gibson's 'The Fame and Shame of Salvador Dali' (1997). 'Salvador Dali: In Search of Immortality' (2018) is especially good on Dali architecture and his tempestuous relationship with his father. 'The Dali Adventure' (1991) is the story of Mr and Mrs Morse, Dali's most devoted collectors. The man himself appears only on photographs, and the casual viewer may find it rather dry and talky. For a brief but thorough look at his art, a fourteen minute Y T video of the ultimate Dali coffee table book 'Dali the Paintings by Robert Descharnes and Giles Negret - Book Flip Through'.

It's no coincidence that all worthwhile documentaries are, as far as I know, made after his death. There was no danger of the producers being side tracked into participating in Dalinian happenings. Dali is no longer with us, but his art will forever live on.

I recorded this on VHS some three decades ago, and just watched it again online. This deliberately echoes the start of my review of the Aquarius 'Hello Dali' documentary made thirteen years earlier. They have similarities, both being British, this is a bit more serious, and somewhat sad.

Gala had died in 1982, Dali is now 82 and would only live a couple more years. In 1984 he had been seriously injured in a fire, and had become a recluse. Therefore he had no say in making the film, and virtually all his appearances happened in the past.

Highlights are contributions from people who knew him well. Albert and Eleanor Morse, who became his most avid collectors, and authors of erudite books on his art. Luis Bunel, gaunt in old age, recounts his collaboration with Dali in making the surrealist film Un Chien Andalou. One reason Dali became the most popular surrealist was unwittingly provided by an earnest Marcel Jean, a surrealist painter who complained that while Lenin could be criticised, Dali painting him with buttocks nine feet long was somehow unacceptable.

The previous reviewer was disappointed that a claim on the DVD packaging that it presents Dali's entire oeuvre was untrue. Fair enough, but a Dali documentary has to choose, or try to strike a balance, between Dali the great artist and Dali the great exhibitionist. Unfortunately film is a far more suitable medium for the latter, especially in our age of celebrity.

I rate it slightly higher than the Aquarius documentary because it's twice as long. Which may or may not be a valid Dalinian reason.

I recorded this documentary some three decades ago on VHS tape and just watched it again, courtesy of Internet Archive. Given its age I'm surprised this is the first review.

The great irony of Salvador Dali is that his publicity seeking exhibitionism overshadowed a valid claim to be the greatest 20th century painter, and possibly one of the all time greats. To be fair, this perception was rarely gainsaid by the man himself. I paraphrase Humphrey Burton's introduction "Dali asked Russell Harty if the film would be a considered treatment of his life's work as an artist. Absolutely said Russell. Then Dali said no no no go away. So Russell said what he meant was he would point some cameras as Dali and see what happens. Yes, said Dali".

So what transpired is basically Dali being Dali: bursting out of an enormous egg, roping in baffled Catalonians to assist a Dalinian happening involving candles and a stuffed giraffe, and provocatively declaring that he likes suffering animals. The filming is divided between his house at Port Lligat, and the Dali museum in Figueres, which in 1973 was nearing completion. I've been to both, the museum takes much longer to explore, but the house is the more enjoyable experience, Port Lligat and nearby Cadaques being the background of much if his work. Figueres is an otherwise nondescript inland town, it's rather like finding the Houses of Parliament in Leamington Spa or Walsall. Rather surrealist in fact.

It's always a pleasure to see the great showman in his element. But do seek out some more art centred work. There is a 14 minute YT video of the ultimate Dali book "Dali the paintings by Robert Descharnes and Giles Negret - book flip through".