British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Francis Bacon

Synopsis
A portrait of British artist Francis Bacon (1909-1992), whose work features distorted human figures in empty rooms. Melvyn Bragg follows Bacon’s daily activities from his cluttered studio, to a pub and gambling hall in Soho, London. Explores how his way of life affects his vision of the world. Bacon discusses his fascination with gaping mouths, wounds, male flesh, and meat, as well as the influence of British photographer Edweard Muybridge on his attempts to capture the essence of movement. Made on the occasion of Bacon’s major retrospective at the Tate Gallery in 1985. Includes some of the last footage of the artist in his studio. Features commentaries by Bacon on other artists including Rubens, Cézanne, Picasso, Balthus, Giacometti, Shakespeare and Baudelaire.
With candid revelations about Bacon’s childhood, his friends and influences.
Series
Art Lives, Series
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2007
Year of production
1985
Notes
Broadcast on ITV in the South Bank Show series on 9/6/85.
Subjects
Art
Keywords
art - modern art; Bacon, Francis (1909-1992); biographies; Muybridge, Eadweard James (1830-1904); painters; paintings - British

Credits

Director
David Hinton
Producer
David Hinton
Contributor
Melvyn Bragg

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 0 PAL
Price
£17.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
55 minutes
Year
2013

Production Company

Name

London Weekend Television

Name

RM Arts

Publisher

Name

Arthaus Musik

Web
http://www.arthaus-musik.com External site opens in new window

Distributor

Name

Illuminations

Email
louise@illuminationsmedia.co.uk
Web
http://www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7288 8400
Address
Studio 121, ScreenWorks
22 Highbury Grove
London
N5 2EF
Notes
Illuminations produces and distributes programmes on arts-related subjects, some of which are made for television and others in conjunction with cultural institutions to accompany specific exhibitions. Many titles are available for sale on DVD, including continuing series on leading contemporary and twentieth century artists and modern architecture, as well as a few programmes on religion, drama, history and ideas.

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