King of the Movies

1978 0h 41m EN

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An interview-based documentary broadcast by the BBC in May 1978, made to coincide with a season dedicated to King at London’s National Film Theatre (now BFI Southbank). The 90-year-old master was in attendance at the tribute event and was interviewed on camera. Film clips aside, King of the Movies relies almost entirely on the brilliance of King’s storytelling, which entertains, illuminates and charms. Elegantly dressed in his typical late-period style of bowtie and horn-rimmed glasses, resembling a professor of American history, King reminisces on half a century in “the strangest business in the world”.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Phil Chilvers

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 4

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 41-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 4

ERA

Did you know

48 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 4

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 4

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt9529764 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Phil Chilvers directs. Runs lean at under 100 minutes.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 41-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
248 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4IMDB entry: tt9529764 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.