The Charles Bukowski Tapes

"Barbet Schroeder interviews Bukowski."

1985 4h 0m EN

🤯

8.6

MASTERPIECE

★8.6TMDB · 11

Documentary

Synopsis

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The Charles Bukowski Tapes are an altogether more than four hours long collection of 52 short-interviews with the American cult author Charles Bukowski, sorted by topic and each between one and ten minutes long. Director Barbet Schroeder (Barfly) interviews Bukowski about such themes as alcohol, violence, and women, and Bukowski answers willingly, losing himself in sometimes minute-long monologues. Amongst other things, Bukowski leads the small camera team through his parents’ house and his former neighbourhood, but the largest part of the interviews takes place in Bukowski’s flat or backyard. The documentary includes a scene in which Bukowski reacts violently toward his wife Linda Lee.

“Barbet Schroeder interviews Bukowski.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Charles Bukowski
Himself
Barbet Schroeder
Himself

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Barbet Schroeder
Languages: French, English
Countries: France

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

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

At 240 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

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

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: French, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Jean-Louis Valéro. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Barbet Schroeder shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Charles Bukowski and Barbet Schroeder carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Barbet Schroeder interviews Bukowski.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Barbet Schroeder directs. Jean-Louis Valéro scores. Barbet Schroeder cuts. A long sit — settle in. Produced in France. Dialogue in French, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1At 240 minutes, this is a three-hour-plus commitment — longer than 95% of films ever made.
241 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: French, English.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Original score by Jean-Louis Valéro. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Barbet Schroeder shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Charles Bukowski and Barbet Schroeder carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Barbet Schroeder interviews Bukowski.".
9IMDB entry: tt1019894 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 11 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.