An Accidental Studio

This is a documentary on how Hand Made Films was first conceived by George Harrison as a way to get films rejected by big movie companies, due to sensitive content, funded, made, and released. It also spotlights all the supporting people who were in the background. I didn't realize that Ray Cooper had played any role at all, but he was a main character in the company. I love him as a percussionist, but never realized how busy he'd been with movies. There are plenty of accounts from people you will recognize, and some you won't. Of course, the Pythons figure in heavily and they comment throughout. It is interesting, and enlightening, and ultimately a bit melancholy, but I am glad I got it.

A wonderful companion to the "Living In The Material World" documentary. The prior film didn't spend much time detailing Harrison's role as film producer. This film dives deep with interviews from directors and cast members of George's productions as well as vintage interviews, from the 80's and 90's, of "The Quiet One" himself.

A balanced portrait of Handmade Films, which produced a disproportionate number of memorable movies in the 80's for a studio which released so few films overall. Some of their most fondly remembered titles include Life of Brian, Withnail & I and Time Bandits. This documentary also devotes some time to Handmade productions which were memorable for all the wrong reasons, such as Shanghai Surprise and Water. A number of key personnel and artists speak frankly about the organization. Unfortunately, it is a given that George Harrison's comments can only be from archival interview segments, though every minute he is in this documentary is a joy. Highly recommended for anybody interested in any aspect of Handmade Films, the talent behind those films or the movies themselves.

My only complaint about the dvd is that it's pretty short. Even with the interview section after the feature, it still goes by quickly. Maybe some promotional bits from the films could have been included. What is there is well worth the time, though.

I knew GH was a BIG Monty Pyton fan and I knew that he'd mortgaged his enormous English county house to fund the making of "Life of Brian", but I had no idea he signed on to be the money behind a movie studio! This DVD was filled with lots of great interviews and as a life-long Beatlemaniac, there was almost no chance that I wouldn't like this Blu-Ray. It's great. Cudos to PBS for using it in their latest fund raiser where I live; that's where I learned about "An Accidental Studio". Glad I bought it.

Enjoyable documentary about George Harrison’s start up film company. There was a lot of information an avid George fan like myself did not know. Great old footage of George and very candid interviews from the big players involved in the company.

Great documentary on the history of HandMade Films with a lot of interviews and archive footage. Have seen most of the great films made by this company and love the backstory on how they were made. Film buff's and fans of cinema should have this Blu-ray on their shelf.

great information on George Harrison's film involvement

I was very unhappy with this DVD. I am a very big Beatles fan and film buff so i was really looking forward to this release, firstly there were 4 or 5 adverts before the film even started about 10 minutes, the film quality was more VHS then DVD. Then the film was more about the negativity of Handmade Films

Absolutely brilliant documentary. Even if you just have a passing interest in British film history you’ll probably still enjoy it. It really brings into focus how important George Harrison was to the British film industry. If you are a film buff this is indispensable!!

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Interesting Film. George was a true visionary, risking all to help out his friends.

Unplayable blu-ray, limited to Region A players only, nowhere to be found, so I am very disappointed