Watch The Great Museum

The Great Museum is a 2014 documentary film that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, or Museum of Art History. The film follows the day-to-day activities, challenges, and triumphs of the museum's staff as they work to prepare for various exhibitions, preserve priceless works of art, and engage with visitors.

Directed by Johannes Holzhausen, The Great Museum provides an in-depth exploration of the museum and its collections, showcasing the impressive collections of art from around the world. The film captures the museum's ambiance and the grandeur of its architecture while delving into its fascinating history and the passion and dedication of its staff.

The first half of the film focuses on the preparations for an upcoming exhibition of works by Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens. We see museum staff members working tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the exhibition is perfect, from the lighting and temperature control to the precise hanging of each painting. The amount of care given to every detail is impressive, and it is clear that the staff takes great pride in their work.

The film also provides insight into the various roles of museum staff, from curators and conservators to security guards and janitors. We see firsthand the challenges that come with preserving delicate works of art, as conservators work to repair ancient Greek urns and restorers use various techniques to restore damaged oil paintings. We also witness the role of the museum's guards as they ensure the safety of the priceless artworks.

In addition to the focus on the workings of the museum, The Great Museum also highlights the importance of art in our lives. Through interviews with visitors, we see how art can inspire and move people, and learn about different interpretations of the same artwork. One particularly touching scene shows a group of blind people taking a tour of the museum, relying only on their sense of touch and the descriptions provided by their tour guide.

The film's second half covers the aftermath of the Rubens exhibition and the preparations for the museum's next major exhibition, which features Renaissance master Raphael. We see the complex process of transporting works of art from around the world and the sometimes difficult negotiations required to secure loans. The museum's administrative staff members also play a significant role in this process, making sure that all the necessary paperwork and logistics are in place.

The Great Museum balances the grandeur and elegance of the museum with the daily routines of its staff, reminding viewers that while the art on display may be extraordinary, the people who care for it every day are just as important. The film succeeds in capturing the passion and dedication of the staff, who work tirelessly to preserve and share priceless works of art with the public.

Overall, The Great Museum is an insightful and fascinating look at one of the world's greatest museums, providing viewers with a unique perspective on the operations of a museum and the vital role that art plays in our society.

The Great Museum is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 66.