Watch The Hollywood Collection: Burt Lancaster Daring to Reach

The Hollywood Collection: Burt Lancaster Daring to Reach from 1987 is a documentary that traces the life and career of one of the most iconic American actors of the 20th century. Directed by Gene Feldman and Suzette Winter, the film features interviews with Burt Lancaster's family members, friends, colleagues, and biographers, as well as clips from his most famous films.

Narrated by journalist Jack Perkins, the documentary starts with Lancaster's childhood in New York City during the Great Depression. Born in 1913 to a working-class family, Lancaster grew up in East Harlem and went to school in the Bronx. His parents were immigrants from Italy who struggled to make ends meet, but they instilled in him a strong work ethic and a love for the arts.

As a young man, Lancaster attended New York University on a basketball scholarship, but he dropped out after two years and joined the circus. He worked as a trapeze artist and an acrobat for several years, learning how to perform dangerous stunts and perfecting his physical skills. This experience would later serve him well in Hollywood, where he became known for his athletic prowess and his willingness to do his own stunts.

After serving in World War II, Lancaster returned to New York and started his acting career in theater. He soon caught the attention of Hollywood producers and was offered a contract by Hal Wallis, the legendary producer behind Casablanca and other classics. Lancaster made his film debut in The Killers (1946), a noir thriller directed by Robert Siodmak. His performance as a doomed boxer impressed critics and audiences alike, and he quickly became a leading man in the industry.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Lancaster starred in a series of memorable films, including Elmer Gantry, From Here to Eternity, The Birdman of Alcatraz, and Judgment at Nuremberg. He worked with some of the best directors of the era, such as John Frankenheimer, Sydney Lumet, Richard Brooks, and John Huston. He also co-starred with some of the most beautiful and talented actresses, such as Deborah Kerr, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Shelley Winters.

Despite his success, Lancaster was not content to rest on his laurels. He was a restless soul who always sought new challenges and adventures. In the 1970s, he produced some of his own films and directed a few, including The Midnight Man and Scalawag. He also acted in unconventional projects, such as the controversial film adaptation of James Dickey's novel, Deliverance, and the Italian cult classic, The Leopard.

In the 1980s, Lancaster continued to work in films and TV, but he also became involved in social and political causes. He spoke out against nuclear weapons and supported environmental and civil rights groups. He also wrote several books, including his memoir, It's a Long Way to Hollywood: An Insider's Journey, and a novel, The Badger Game.

The Hollywood Collection: Burt Lancaster Daring to Reach from 1987 presents a comprehensive portrait of the actor as a man of many talents and passions. It shows how Lancaster dared to challenge himself and his audience with his roles and his choices. It also reveals his personal life, including his marriages, his children, and his friendships with other stars, such as Kirk Douglas and Frank Sinatra.

The documentary features interviews with several notable people who knew Lancaster well, including his son Bill and daughter Joanna, his friend and collaborator Norman Lloyd, his biographer Kate Buford, and his former co-stars Tony Curtis and Susan Sarandon. They share their insights and anecdotes about Lancaster's personality, his work ethic, his humor, and his generosity.

The Hollywood Collection: Burt Lancaster Daring to Reach from 1987 captures the spirit of a Hollywood legend who dared to live his life on his own terms. Lancaster was a man who never stopped reaching for the stars, both on and off screen. This documentary is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy.

The Hollywood Collection: Burt Lancaster Daring to Reach is a 1987 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.