Albert Maysles

Directing

Albert Maysles

Born 1926-11-26 · Brookline, Massachusetts, USA

Albert Maysles (with his brother David) was an American documentary filmmaker known for his work in the "Direct Cinema" style. Their best-known films together include Salesman (1969), Gimme Shelter (1970) and Grey Gardens (1975).

Acting credits

Gimme Shelter poster
7.3

A detailed chronicle of the famous 1969 tour of the United States by the British rock band The Rolling Stones, which culminated with the disastrous and tragic concert held on December 6 at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, an event of historical significance, as it marked the end of an era: the generation of peace and love suddenly became the generation of disillusionment.

Gimme Shelter

1970

Grey Gardens poster
7.3

Edie Bouvier Beale and her mother, Edith, two aging, eccentric relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, are the sole inhabitants of a Long Island estate. The women reveal themselves to be misfits with outsized, engaging personalities. Much of the conversation is centered on their pasts, as mother and daughter now rarely leave home.

Grey Gardens

1976

Capturing Reality poster
6.1

From cinema-verite; pioneers Albert Maysles and Joan Churchill to maverick movie makers like Errol Morris, Werner Herzog and Nick Broomfield, the world's best documentarians reflect upon the unique power of their genre. Capturing Reality explores the complex creative process that goes into making non-fiction films. Deftly charting the documentarian's journey, it poses the question: can film capture reality?

Capturing Reality

2008

Albert Maysles: The Poetic Eye poster
NR

A delve into the character and life of Albert Maysles, who, alongside his brother David, created some of the most well-known and iconic documentaries of the 20th century. Film extracts include Meet Marlon Brando (1965), Salesman (1968), Gimme Shelter (1970), and Grey Gardens (1975).

Albert Maysles: The Poetic Eye

2006

Michael Moore Hates America poster
5.2

Michael Wilson, like the subject of his film, is trying to get an interview with a multi-millionaire; however, in this case, that millionaire is Michael Moore himself.

Michael Moore Hates America

2004

A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory poster
6.2

Esther Robinson's portrait of her uncle Danny Williams, Warhol's onetime lover, collaborator and filmmaker in his own right, offers a exploration of the Factory era, an homage to Williams's talent, a journey of family discovery and a compelling inquiry into Williams's mysterious disappearance at age 27.

A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory

2007

No artwork available
NR

Filmmaker, Walter Forsyth sets out on a journey to make a tribute film about photographer/filmmaker, Robert Frank, deconstructing the documentary form along the way. With appearances by Albert Maysles, Nick Broomfield, ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, Alfred Leslie and Matt Damon. "He pulled a sad poem right out of America, taking his place among the great poets of our time" - Jack Karoac.

After Frank

2005

The Beales of Grey Gardens poster
7.3

Mother and daughter - Big Edie and Little Edie Beale - live with six cats in a crumbling house in East Hampton. Little Edie, in her 50s, who wears scarves and bright colors, sings, mugs for the camera, and talks to Al and David Maysles, the filmmakers. Big Edie, in her 70s, recites poetry, comments on her daughter's behavior, and sings "If I Loved You" in fine voice. She talks in short sentences; her daughter in volumes. The film is episodic: friends visit, there's a small fire in the house, Little Edie goes to the shore and swims. She talks about the Catholic Church. She's ashamed that local authorities raided the house because of all the cats. She values being different.

The Beales of Grey Gardens

2006

No artwork available
NR

A portrait of the late documentarian David Maysles by his daughter, Celia.

Wild Blue Yonder

2007

Mario Ruspoli, Prince of the Whales poster
NR

Colleagues, friends and specialists pay tribute to the filmmaker Mario Ruspoli in a portrait that mixes encounters, archive images and film excerpts. With testimonies from Richard Leacock, Albert Maysles, Edgar Morin, D.A. Pennebaker and others.

Mario Ruspoli, Prince of the Whales

2011

No artwork available
5.0

The Newsweek critic, Jack Kroll, interviews Albert and David Maysles about their new film, Salesman (1968).

The Maysles Brothers

1969

Morris Engel: The Independent poster
NR

Short documentary on the life and work of photographer and filmmaker Morris Engel

Morris Engel: The Independent

2008

Horowitz: A Reminiscence poster
7.0

Wanda Horowitz reminisces about her husband, the great pianist Vladimir Horowitz, with clips from his television appearances.

Horowitz: A Reminiscence

1993

No artwork available
8.0

In 1998, documentary filmmaker Robert Drew and his associates attend the Museum of Tolerance.

Robert Drew & Associates at the Museum of Tolerance

2016

The Making of the Beatles First U.S. Visit poster
NR

A documentary about the making of the film "The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit"

The Making of the Beatles First U.S. Visit

2004

Behind the camera

Gimme Shelter poster
7.3

A detailed chronicle of the famous 1969 tour of the United States by the British rock band The Rolling Stones, which culminated with the disastrous and tragic concert held on December 6 at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, an event of historical significance, as it marked the end of an era: the generation of peace and love suddenly became the generation of disillusionment.

Gimme Shelter

1970

Grey Gardens poster
7.3

Edie Bouvier Beale and her mother, Edith, two aging, eccentric relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, are the sole inhabitants of a Long Island estate. The women reveal themselves to be misfits with outsized, engaging personalities. Much of the conversation is centered on their pasts, as mother and daughter now rarely leave home.

Grey Gardens

1976

Grey Gardens poster
7.3

Edie Bouvier Beale and her mother, Edith, two aging, eccentric relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, are the sole inhabitants of a Long Island estate. The women reveal themselves to be misfits with outsized, engaging personalities. Much of the conversation is centered on their pasts, as mother and daughter now rarely leave home.

Grey Gardens

1976

Salesman poster
7.2

This documentary from Albert and David Maysles follows the bitter rivalry of four door-to-door salesmen working for the Mid-American Bible Company: Paul "The Badger" Brennan, Charles "The Gipper" McDevitt, James "The Rabbit" Baker and Raymond "The Bull" Martos. Times are tough for this hard-living quartet, who spend their days traveling through small-town America, trying their best to peddle gold-leaf Bibles to an apathetic crowd of lower-middle-class housewives and elderly couples.

Salesman

1969

Salesman poster
7.2

This documentary from Albert and David Maysles follows the bitter rivalry of four door-to-door salesmen working for the Mid-American Bible Company: Paul "The Badger" Brennan, Charles "The Gipper" McDevitt, James "The Rabbit" Baker and Raymond "The Bull" Martos. Times are tough for this hard-living quartet, who spend their days traveling through small-town America, trying their best to peddle gold-leaf Bibles to an apathetic crowd of lower-middle-class housewives and elderly couples.

Salesman

1969

The Love We Make poster
7.2

"The Love We Make", a film directed by Albert Maysles ("Gimme Shelter") and Bradley Kaplan, follows Paul McCartney as he journeys through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. It also chronicles the planning and performance of the benefit concert that took place less than six months after the attacks: "The Concert For New York City".

The Love We Make

2011

Salvador Dalí's Fantastic Dream poster
NR

Produced by 20th Century Fox, this Maysles Brothers short was intended to help promote the release of Disney's Fantastic Voyage (1966) for which Salvador Dali was artistic consultant. Shot in and around New York, the film features a cameo by a bikini clad Raquel Welch, star of Fantastic Voyage and Dali's muse for a series of portraits of Hollywood starlets.

Salvador Dalí's Fantastic Dream

1966

Ozawa poster
8.5

This intimate portrait of the legendary conductor Seiji Ozawa focuses on the Japanese master and teacher's career, his advocacy of modern composers and the behind-the-scenes world of the symphony orchestra.

Ozawa

1985

Iris poster
7.3

IRIS pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. More than a fashion film, the documentary is a story about creativity and how, even in Iris’ dotage, a soaring free spirit continues to inspire. IRIS portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people are life’s sustenance and reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment.

Iris

2014

This Is an Adventure poster
6.8

During production on the film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou", documentary filmmakers followed the cast and crew of a film which depicts other documentary filmmakers who follow animal life. In this film, we get a first hand look at the sets and come very close to many of the cast and crew members at work, especially Bill Murray and Wes Anderson.

This Is an Adventure

2005

Islands poster
7.0

The Maysles' third film about the artists sees them trying to get three projects off the ground: wrapping the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris; wrapping the Reichstag; and surrounding eleven man-made islands in Florida with pink plastic sheets. As the latter is the only one that gets approval, it gets the bulk of this film.

Islands

1987

Running Fence poster
6.6

Second in the series by the Maysles brothers documenting the monuments/sculptures of Christo, whose art projects are landscape-scaled, and more "pop" performance art designed to question how we relate to art in the public sphere, especially when it's as oblique, non-political (at least, that is what he would claim), and neutral as running a fence through a landscape.

Running Fence

1977

In Transit poster
5.7

The Empire Builder is America’s busiest long-distance train route, running from Chicago to Seattle. Throughout these corridors sit runaways, adventurers, and loners – a myriad of passengers waiting to see what their journey holds. A touching and honest observation, co-directed by the iconic Albert Maysles, In Transit breathes life into the long commute, and contemplates the unknowns that lie at our final destination.

In Transit

2015

Meet Marlon Brando poster
7.0

Filmed during a studio-organized press junket, "Meet Marlon Brando" observes Marlon Brando as he fields a succession of television interviews meant to promote Morituri. Rather than comply, Brando deflects questions with irony, flirtation, and philosophical detours, subtly undermining the promotional ritual itself. Shot in direct-cinema style by Albert Maysles and David Maysles, the film becomes a candid study of celebrity, media performance, and resistance to commodification.

Meet Marlon Brando

1966

With Love from Truman poster
6.4

At his Long Island beach house, and on the occasion of the publication of his masterful nonfiction novel In Cold Blood, reporter Karen Dennison interviews celebrated writer Truman Capote, who displays his exuberant personality, makes witty jokes, shares his thoughts on writing, reflects on various aspects of the book and, in a sweet and endearing voice, reads and explains some of its highlights.

With Love from Truman

1966

With Love from Truman poster
6.4

At his Long Island beach house, and on the occasion of the publication of his masterful nonfiction novel In Cold Blood, reporter Karen Dennison interviews celebrated writer Truman Capote, who displays his exuberant personality, makes witty jokes, shares his thoughts on writing, reflects on various aspects of the book and, in a sweet and endearing voice, reads and explains some of its highlights.

With Love from Truman

1966

With the Filmmaker: Wes Anderson poster
7.0

A concise television portrait of Wes Anderson, observing the filmmaker at work and reflecting on his creative process, influences, and approach to directing during the early phase of his career.

With the Filmmaker: Wes Anderson

2001

The Gates poster
6.1

A documentary on New York City’s biggest public art project ever, an installation called “The Gates” by Christo and Jeanne Claude.

The Gates

2008

What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA poster
7.5

New York, USA, February 1964. Five grueling days in the life of George, John, Paul and Ringo, the Fab Four, The Beatles: the hysterical fan reception at JFK airport; several press conferences; in their rooms at the Plaza Hotel; in the backstage at the Ed Sullivan Show; hanging out with the legendary DJ Murray the K; and the frantic return home.

What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA

1964

Cut Piece poster
6.5

Filmed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Cut Piece documents one of Yoko Ono’s most powerful conceptual pieces. Performed by the artist herself, Ono sits motionless on the stage after inviting the audience to come up and cut away her clothing in a denouement of the reciprocity between victim and assailant.

Cut Piece

1965

Cut Piece poster
6.5

Filmed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Cut Piece documents one of Yoko Ono’s most powerful conceptual pieces. Performed by the artist herself, Ono sits motionless on the stage after inviting the audience to come up and cut away her clothing in a denouement of the reciprocity between victim and assailant.

Cut Piece

1965

Soldiers of Music poster
NR

Documentary showing the return to his native Russia of Mstislav Rostropovitch, includes extensive performance footage and coverage of political and personal matters for the cellist.

Soldiers of Music

1991

Concert of Wills: Making the Getty Center poster
8.0

This acclaimed documentary traces the building of the Getty Center—one of the most ambitious cultural undertakings of the twentieth century. Spanning fourteen years, from the early blueprints to the groundbreaking to the public opening of the Center in December 1997, the film takes viewers from California to a rock quarry in Italy where the Center's signature travertine originated.

Concert of Wills: Making the Getty Center

1997

The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit poster
7.9

The Beatles First US Visit uniquely chronicles the inside story of the two remarkable weeks when Beatlemania first ignited America. The pioneering Maysles Brothers who filmed at the shoulders of John, Paul, George and Ringo, innovated an intimate documentary style of film-making which set the benchmark for rock and roll cinematography that remains to this day.

The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit

1991