Wagner best biography documentaries on netflix

Produced & Directed by Patrick McGrady
Released by First Run Features
UK. 89 min. Not rated

Based on countless movies, the music of Richard Wagner (Hitler’s favorite composer) has a long road ahead to break away from its militaristic bombast and fascist taint. Lina Wertmüller used “Flight of the Valkyries” to accompany a Nazi death camp montage in Seven Beauties, and the same score was used for a napalm attack sequence in Apocalypse Now. In contrast, David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method stands out for wringing Wagner’s monumental “Ring Cycle” for psychological nuance—Keira Knightley and Michael Fassbender discuss its themes and separate the saga’s Nordic myth from the psychological motivations in the operas. But then again, that film was set 20 years before the rise of Nazi Germany.

The on-screen narrator, British actor/writer/director Stephen Fry, tackles head-on the question—can you separate the composer from the man, who was an all-out anti-Semite? Can you sever him from Hitler’s hip? Fry, who is Jewish, lost relatives in the Holocaust. Though his mind seems made up from the outset that, yes, you can still love the music and be repelled by the man who wrote the essay/racist rant “Jewishness in Music,” Fry lucidly explains in this lean and convincing documentary/opinion piece why Wagner moves him in a way that no other composer ever has, despite the music’s association with the Third Reich. Though Wagner died before Hitler was born, his descendants became extremely close friends to the dictator, who was an honored guest at the annual Bayreuth Festival, devoted only to operas by Wagner. (For more on the clan’s close ties to Hitler, read The Wagner Clan by Jonathan Carr.)

The film’s strongest piece of evidence aids Fry’s c

The Last Wolf (Knight Visions/Yellow Rose, December 12, 2020)

Documentaries seem to be sort of a thing right now. And they can be absolutely fascinating when the subject is something you’re into. The ones I most enjoy tend to be about my favorite bands, albums, or movies. But I especially like documentaries about my favorite authors, particularly when those authors are on the verge of being forgotten.

At Black Gate we often bemoan the neglect, or approaching neglect, of authors and works in the “speculative” field (broadly conceived). But that lament should be doubled when it comes to the late writer Karl Edward Wagner (1945–1994). Wagner was one of the greatest writers of horror and weird fantasy, in my humble opinion. And though he disavowed the term, I think he was also one of the greatest exemplar writers of sword and sorcery. (Wagner preferred the term “Gothic fantasy” to describe his own work.)

This is why I was so happy to discover the documentary The Last Wolf: Karl Edward Wagner, which was released in late 2020. Directed by Brandon D. Lunsford and produced by Lunsford and Brian M. McKnight, The Last Wolf is an insightful and intriguing examination of the life and works of Karl Edward Wagner, warts and all.

As its brief description says, The Last Wolf “seeks to shed a light on this dark muse through interviews with his family, his friends, and his fellow creators.” And it does just that.

The Last Wolf includes interviews with horror luminaries that knew Wager such as the writers Peter Straub, Ramsey Campbell, Dennis Etchison, and David Drake, as well as Stuart Schiff, the creator and editor of the fabled Whispers fanzine, and also acclaimed horror editor Stephen Jones. In addition, there are interviews with members of Wagner’s family, close friends, former schoolmates, and even Wagner’s former wife of twelve years, Barbara (now) Mott, who provide a plethora of details from Wagner’s life.

Karl Edward Wagner

One of the most

The world of television has seen numerous great biographies, with each show exploring the life of an extraordinary individual. The best biography shows not only focus on bringing to life the stories of prominent figures from history but also capture the essence of their personalities, beliefs, and ideologies. This genre offers a glimpse into real-life dramas that have shaped societies, inspired generations, and changed the course of history. 

These stellar biography TV shows immerse viewers in spellbinding tales by showcasing characters, themes, and powerful narratives. From historical icons to contemporary influencers, these shows provide an insightful look at the challenges faced by these individuals while highlighting their unprecedented achievements. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, they deliver an intimate understanding of the forces that molded some of the greatest biographies ever told. 

Among these outstanding biographical TV shows are critically acclaimed series such as John Adams, American Crime Story, and Anne Frank: The Whole Story. Each of these remarkable productions offer enrapturing portrayals that resonate deeply with audiences. For instance, John Adams is a gripping account of one of America's founding fathers that earned a record-breaking 13 Emmy Awards; meanwhile, American Crime Story presents hair-raising recreations of infamous criminal cases like O.J. Simpson's trial; lastly, Anne Frank: The Whole Story is a heartwarming adaptation based on Anne’s diary that illuminates her courageous spirit during World War II. 

Biography TV shows hold a special place in our hearts for their ability to transport us back in time through immersive storytelling and engaging portrayals. They describe human resilience and determination through transformative narratives that stand out among other genres. As viewers continue to explore this captivating realm of television programming, they will undoubtedly uncover more tales that offer

“I feel that this documentary is definitive documentary of her life you know, and my book is the definitive deep dive into our relationship, but I also talk about the night she died and the sheriff’s department reopening the case, I get into that in the book as well, and I just think this narrative of fiction that has been peddled, it’s time for that to stop now.”

Those are the determined words of Natasha Gregson Wagner, daughter of the late Natalie Wood, in talking to me recently about her new film for which she is not only a producer but also an on-camera guide and interviewer in exploring the career, life and yes death of her famous mother, who died at age 43 while on a weekend boating excursion to Catalina Island in late November 1981. That mysterious death, in which Wood was found floating in the shallow surf, is still controversial, with an investigation reopened into it as recently as 2014. But six years later, there’s still nothing that moved the case forward in a way tabloids might have liked.

Gregson Wagner, with her documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, understandably just wants to put it all to rest with this definitive look at all things Natalie Wood. This began with another project honoring her mother, a lavish, photo-filled  2016 coffee table book called “Natalie Wood Reflections on a Legendary Life,” which she wrote with Manoah Bowman who is also a producer of What Remains Behind along with Laurent Bourzereau, who directed it as well; he joined Wagner Gregson on the phone with me.

The docu, which premieres May 5 on HBO after first debuting at January’s Sundance Film Festival, came about because there is so much material — much of it never shared — and so much to say for Gregson Wagner. It is also no-holds-bar