Watch: Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes Documentary Uncovers His Filmmaking Method

By Alex Ferrari | November 1, 2016 |

Stanley Kubrick's Boxes, Stanley Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick's Boxes, Stanley Kubrick Boxes Documentary

Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes Documentary Uncovers the Methods of a Master Filmmaker

Every once in a while a new handwritten memo or a rare behind-the-scenes featuring master filmmaker Stanley Kubrick finds its way onto the web; today I share with you the origin of many of these rare finds. Recently uploaded online,

Recently uploaded online, Jon Ronson’s 2008 documentary Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes examines where these discoveries came from and he unearths the Indiana Jones-style labyrinth of notes, memos, and memorabilia the legendary director left behind.

“The thing is, nobody outside the Kubrick house got to see the boxes.”

Stanley Kubrick’s trademark eccentricity is on full display as the documentary filmmaker, who was allowed to film by the invitation of Kubrick’s widow, digs into his methodical system of storing and cataloging countless of letters from fans filed according to where they originated from. Discovered personal notes read,

“Please see there is a supply of melons kept in the house at all times.”

This remarkable 48-minute documentary reminds us of the ridiculous amount of research, time and work that went into each of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpieces; for example, 30,000 location photos were taken during the pre-production process for Eyes Wide Shut, how Stanley Kubrick tested an crazy number of hats before choosing the one that the character Alex would wear in A Clockwork Orange.

The immense amount of details that help create Kubrick’s masterworks should not be forgotten and people can regain a new appreciation of the master filmmaker and storyteller below:

Documentary on the vast array of boxes Stanley Kubrick accumulated and left behind. This is the full 61-minute version, unlike the 47-minute version. It includes a lot of behind the scenes footage from Full Metal Jacket not seen on the shorter version. The quality is lower but if you want to see a bit more footage give it a watch.

If you enjoyed Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes below you’ll find Stanley Kubrick’s entire Filmography. If you are a filmmaker watching Stanley Kubrick’s films is mandatory:

FEAR & DESIRE (1953)
KILLER’S KISS (1955)
THE KILLING (1956)
PATHS OF GLORY (1957)
SPARTACUS (1960)
LOLITA (1962)
DR. STRANGELOVE: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB (1964)
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)
BARRY LYNDON (1975)
THE SHINING (1980)
FULL METAL JACKET (1987)
EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)

BONUS: TOP TEN Online Filmmaking Courses

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