Watch Making Montgomery Clift

Making Montgomery Clift is a 2018 documentary film directed by Robert Anderson Clift (nephew of Montgomery Clift) and Hillary Demmon. The film follows the life and legacy of Montgomery Clift, an acclaimed actor known for his performances in movies such as A Place in the Sun and Judgement at Nuremberg. Montgomery Clift was one of the most influential actors of his time and was widely regarded as a method actor who brought a new level of realism and intensity to his roles.

The film features interviews with Brooks Clift, Sunny Clift, Patricia Bosworth, Jack Larson, Eleanor Clift, Robert Osborne, and many others who knew Montgomery Clift throughout his career. In addition to these interviews, the film also utilizes archival footage of Montgomery Clift's movies, as well as photographs, letters, and other personal documents.

Through these interviews and archival materials, the film provides a comprehensive look at Montgomery Clift's life and career. Montgomery Clift was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1920, and began acting at a young age. He moved to New York City in the 1930s and began appearing in Broadway productions, before making his film debut in 1948's Red River. Over the course of his career, Montgomery Clift appeared in numerous movies and was nominated for four Academy Awards.

Despite his success, Montgomery Clift was known for his personal struggles, including his battle with alcoholism and drug addiction. The film delves into these struggles, and how they affected Montgomery Clift's life and work. Additionally, the film explores Montgomery Clift's relationships with other Hollywood stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, with whom he appeared in movies such as A Place in the Sun and Suddenly, Last Summer.

Throughout the film, Brooks Clift and Sunny Clift, Montgomery Clift's younger brother and niece, respectively, offer personal insights into Montgomery Clift's life. They share family anecdotes, letters, and photographs, providing a more intimate look at Montgomery Clift's life outside of his film career.

Making Montgomery Clift also sheds light on the intersection of Montgomery Clift's personal life and career with the larger cultural and social contexts of the time. The film explores Montgomery Clift's sexuality, which was not publicly known during his lifetime, and how he navigated living as a gay man in Hollywood during a time when homosexuality was taboo. The film also touches on issues of mental health and addiction, and how these issues were often stigmatized and misunderstood during this time.

Overall, Making Montgomery Clift offers a compelling and nuanced portrait of one of Hollywood's most beloved actors. Through the use of personal accounts, archival materials, and insightful interviews, the film offers a unique perspective on Montgomery Clift's life and career, and how he navigated the complexities of being a gay man in Hollywood during a tumultuous time in American culture.

Making Montgomery Clift is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.