William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

Name: William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
Genre: Documentary
Released: November 17, 2010
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 63

2010

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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William S. Burroughs: A Man Within

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Movie Details & Credits

Oscilloscope Laboratories | Release Date: November 17, 2010

Summary: Featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within is a probing, yetFeaturing never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, William S. Burroughs: A Man Within is a probing, yet loving look at the man whose works at once savaged conservative ideals, spawned countercultural movements, and reconfigured 20th century culture. The film is narrated by Peter Weller, with a soundtrack by Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.
Burroughs was one of the first writers to break the boundaries of queer and drug culture in the 1950's. His novel Naked Lunch is one of the most recognized and respected literary works of the 20th century and has influenced generations of artists. The intimate documentary breaks the surface of the troubled and brilliant world of one of the greatest authors of all time. (Oscilloscope Laboratories)… Expand

Director: Yony Leyser

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 87 min

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Critic Reviews

Boxoffice Magazine Pam Grady

Nov 13, 2010

Leyser has done his job with this, his first feature, burnishing Burroughs' legend and making manifest the enormous shadow he still casts over writers and artists of all stripe. Read full review

Ty Burr

Feb 3, 2011

A breezily stylized, very enjoyable trot through the writer's life, theme by theme, era by era. Read full review

David Lewis

Mar 10, 2011

The film is never dull. And director Yony Leyser has come up with an ending that will take your breath away. Burroughs would probably be proud. Read full review

John Anderson

Nov 13, 2010

There is a wealth of anecdotal material. Like his subject, Leyser strives to disengage from the conventional, while still being lucid. He succeeds admirably. Read full review

Nick Pinkerton

Nov 16, 2010

Leyser's collation of interviews and stock footage is polished enough to effectively perpetuate the Burroughs legend. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Nov 13, 2010

Offers a concise summary of Burroughs' life and works. Maybe too concise. At a mere 88 minutes, it feels a bit glancing. But as an introduction or refresher course, it gets the job done. Read full review

David Fear

Nov 16, 2010

Reducing an influential genius to a bohemian Zelig with a firearm fetish misses the forest for the flaming metal trees; in Leyser's biographical interzone, the superficial trumps the truly subversive. Read full review

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Trailesque

Apr 30, 2022

It is hard to find fault with this film portrait of the one and only Burroughs. There are lots of good interviews with the many artists who were inspired and influenced by him, and with those close to him. It could have spent a little more time on his actual writing instead of hisIt is hard to find fault with this film portrait of the one and only Burroughs. There are lots of good interviews with the many artists who were inspired and influenced by him, and with those close to him. It could have spent a little more time on his actual writing instead of his notoriety and public profile, but that is merely a quibble.… Expand

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