Making the Misfits (2002)

Starring: Montgomery Clift, Brian Dennehy, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe
Director: Gail Levin

Rating: NR

Studio: Image Entertainment

Review Posted: 1.15.03

Spoilers: Minor

By John Teves

With John Huston directing a cast of Hollywood icons including Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in a haunting screenplay by Arthur Miller, The Misfits was one of the most anticipated films of 1961. But difficult shooting locations, an unruly director, a crumbling marriage, an aging leading man and an unstable leading lady made the behind-the-scenes story of the film's production anything but ideal. Indeed, the film would turn out to be the final work of both Gable and Monroe, and nearly the last appearance of Montgomery Clift.

Luckily, this tale of a collection of loners in Reno, Nevada, also happened to be documented by nine photographers from the renowned agency Magnum Photos, including such acclaimed names as Henri Cartier-Bresson and the late Inge Morath. With complete access to the day-to-day happenings on the set, their work captured a fascinating tableau of life imitating art and vice versa. Now, featuring stunning Magnum photographs and new first person accounts from Arthur Miller, Eli Wallach and surviving crew members. Making 'The Misfits' illuminates the twilight moments of this fabled Hollywood production.

Because this is a behind the scenes documentary I really can’t review the video or audio quality, I feel that it’s not appropriate do to several different film shots and video transfers, but I can say this, THE MAKING OF THE MISFITS is presented in an aspect ration of 1.78:1 on this single-sided, dual-layered DVD, the image has been enhanced for 16x9 televisions. The DVD presentation offers a fabulous video transfer and a stunning documentary presentation.

There are none on this DVD.

Arthur Miller, who achieved fame with All My Sons, Death of a Salesman and The Crucible, wrote the script. The documentary, like it’s film, tells the story of the end of an era for both the Old West and it’s legendary celebrities. There were obvious weaknesses in the script, which were eventually portrayed on screen.

The Making the Misfits brings together behind-the-scene footage, and photographic collections of exclusive coverage of the shooting of the Misfits; explaining the problems on and off the set. Narrated by Brian Dennehy – this documentary represents the true sentiment behind its actors, directors, writers and crew members who were all deeply involved not only in the presentation of the film, but within its characters. For the first time we see what really happened behind the scenes.

This documentary has it all from the unreliable behavior of Marilyn Monroe to Gable’s finest performance of his career, as well as other complex scenes which add to the emotional roller coaster ride. THE MAKING OF THE MISFITS blends a unique documentary that’s simply fascinating, powerful and worthwhile. The DVD provides a fantastic look at some of the all-time celebrities and it belongs in the collection of all MISFITS fans.

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