Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright, a 1998 documentary directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, brings to life one of America's most iconic architects. Narrated by the distinguished Edward Herrmann and featuring the voices of Philip Bosco and Julie Harris among others, the film aims to encapsulate the height, depth, and complexity of Wright's life and career.

In this two-part documentary, we're shown an in-depth portrayal of Wright's journey, from his early days in rural Wisconsin to his final designs preceding his death in 1959. Edward Herrmann's distinctive voice guides the viewers through an in-depth exploration of the man behind the buildings that redefined the conventions of architecture.

The film features interviews and commentaries from many of Wright's apprentices, colleagues, critics, and close family members. Philip Bosco, renowned stage and film actor, lends his voice to the words of Frank Lloyd Wright, breathing a new dimension into the architect's letters, books, lectures, and interviews. This serves to paint an intimate and very human portrait of the artist - his vision, his drive, the man under the veneer of fame and prestige.

Woven into the narrative are recorded testimonies that reveal his boundless creativity, his deep-seated beliefs about organic architecture, and his revolutionary ideas. Julie Harris, a distinguished actress of stage and screen, provides the voice for Wright's wife, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright. These voiceovers lend emotion and gravity to the story, creating a resonant tapestry of Wright's historic journey.

Beyond his iconic architectural designs, the documentary also delves into the rich texture of Wright’s personal life. The film explores Wright's tumultuous relationships, his often controversial lifestyles, and not least, his scandal-ridden private life. However, perhaps most interestingly, the film does not shy away from the criticism Wright faced in his bold insistence on breaking away from architectural norms.

In the first part of the film, the audience is taken through Wright's formative years, his apprenticeship with the architect Louis Sullivan, his rise to prominence, and his embrace of the "Prairie School" style of architecture. The film documents his struggle to establish his unique vision amidst a society that often favored convention over innovation.

The second segment of the documentary delves into Wright's later years where he established the Taliesin Fellowship, trained young architects, and sought to leave a lasting imprint on the architectural landscape despite personal tragedies and professional setbacks. The audience is given an insight into the making of some of Wright's finest architectural achievements, including Fallingwater, the Robie House, the Imperial Hotel, and New York City's unique spiral-shaped Guggenheim Museum, completed just months after his death.

In the film, Frank Lloyd Wright's dynamic, larger-than-life persona is continuously contrasted with his sublime, harmonious works of architecture. It demonstrates how, despite or perhaps due to, his turbulent personal life, Wright crafted some of the most beautiful structures the world has seen, and in the process, redefined our ideas of space, living, and nature.

An undercurrent in the documentary also explores Wright's pursuit of an authentic American style of architecture. It touches upon his revolutionary idea of 'organic architecture' that sought to integrate buildings with the spirit of their surrounding environment and represents the man's ceaseless creativity and his drive to constantly innovate and evolve.

With its usage of expertly restored archival footage, this film brilliantly contextualizes Wright's work within the framework of American history and culture. Throughout the two and a half hours, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick manage to depict the controversial figure as a resounding emblem of American individualism and vision.

Fundamentally, this documentary is a thoughtfully constructed examination of one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Beyond just a chronicle of his life and works, it is also a reflection on the art and philosophy of architecture itself. This documentary challenges us to look at our built environment in a new light and pushes us to imagine how we can continue to innovate and redefine our landscapes. Whether you're an architect, a student of design, or simply curious about the man and his creative genius, this film offers a rich, comprehensive, and engaging look at the life and legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright.