Andrew Sarris Quotes
Andrew Sarris (1928-2012) was an American film critic and a leading figure in the New York film scene. He was a major proponent of the auteur theory, which argued that a director’s personal style and vision was the driving force behind a film’s success. Sarris wrote for The Village Voice…Read More
Andrew Sarris (1928-2012) was an American film critic and a leading figure in the New York film scene. He was a major proponent of the auteur theory, which argued that a director’s personal style and vision was the driving force behind a film’s success. Sarris wrote for The Village Voice and The New York Observer, and was the author of several books, including The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929-1968 and You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet: The American Talking Film, History and Memory 1927-1949. He was also the recipient of the National Society of Film Critics’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.Read Less
Andrew Sarris (1928-2012) was an American film critic and a leading figure in the New York film scene. He was a major proponent of the auteur theory, which argued that a director’s personal style and vision was the driving force behind a film’s success. Sarris wrote for The Village Voice and The New York Observer, and was the author of several books, including The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929-1968 and You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet: The American Talking Film, History and Memory 1927-1949. He was also the recipient of the National Society of Film Critics’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.
Andrew Sarris Career Highlights
- Andrew Sarris was a renowned American film critic and a leading figure in the development of the “auteur theory” in film criticism.
- He began his career as a film critic in the late 1950s, writing for various publications such as Film Culture, The Village Voice, and The New York Observer.
- In 1968, he published his influential book “The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929-1968,” which solidified his reputation as a leading film critic.
- Sarris was a professor of film at Columbia University for over 30 years, where he taught courses on film theory and criticism.
- He was a regular contributor to The New York Times and wrote for various other publications throughout his career.
Key Contributions by Andrew Sarris
- Sarris is best known for his development of the “auteur theory,” which argues that the director is the primary creative force behind a film and that their personal vision and style can be seen throughout their body of work.
- He also popularized the concept of the “pantheon,” a ranking system for directors based on their artistic merit and influence in the film industry.
- Sarris was a vocal advocate for the recognition of film as an art form and for the importance of film criticism in understanding and appreciating cinema.
- He was a founding member of the National Society of Film Critics and served as its chairman for several years.
What Sets Andrew Sarris Apart
- Sarris was known for his sharp and insightful writing style, as well as his extensive knowledge of film history and theory.
- He was a controversial figure in the film world, often engaging in heated debates with other critics and filmmakers over his theories and opinions.
- Sarris’s work had a significant impact on the development of film criticism and the way films are analyzed and discussed.
- He was also a mentor to many young film critics and influenced a generation of writers and filmmakers.
Takeaways
- Andrew Sarris was a pioneering film critic whose work continues to influence the way we think about and analyze films.
- His development of the “auteur theory” and the “pantheon” ranking system have had a lasting impact on the field of film criticism.
- Sarris’s passion for film and his dedication to elevating it as an art form have left a lasting legacy in the film industry.
- He will always be remembered as one of the most influential and respected film critics of all time.
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