David Lean: A Self-Portrait: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A documentary film with the title David Lean: A Self-Portrait. It consists of two reels of color 16mm acetate film with optical sound.

Through the use of interviews and extracts from some of Leans films, the documentary explores the life and career of renowned film director David Lean. Topics covered in the film include Lean describing how he began his career; Lean explaining his method of directing; Lean describing his relationships with actors; as well as colleagues such as actress Julie Christie, actress Sarah Miles, actor John Mills, producer Sam Spiegel, playwright Robert Bolt, and others discussing Lean and his work.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1971
• Directed by: Thomas Craven
• Produced by: Thomas Craven Film Corporation, American, founded 1952
• Subject of: Sir David Lean CBE, British, 1908 - 1991
• Subject of: Robert Bolt CBE, British, 1924 - 1995
• Subject of: Sam Spiegel, American, 1901 - 1985
• Subject of: Freddie Young OBE, BSC, British, 1902 - 1998
• Owned by: D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
• Type: sound films
• Type: color films (visual works)
• Type: feature films
• Type: 16mm (photographic film size)
• Medium: acetate film
• Dimensions: Duration (Reel 1): 37 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 1325 Feet
• Dimensions: Duration (Reel 2): 22 Minutes
• Dimensions: Length (Film): 800 Feet
• Place used: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
• Place filmed: Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, Europe
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Documentary films
• Topic: Film
• Object number: 2017.55.113.1ab
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Transferred from the DC Public Library
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.