Watch Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy is a comprehensive documentary film that delves deep into the history of the movie franchise, "A Nightmare on Elm Street." The documentary spans four hours and is directed by Daniel Farrands and Andrew Kasch. It is narrated by Heather Langenkamp, who played the lead role in the first, third, and seventh movies of the series.

The documentary features interviews with the cast and crew members, including Robert Englund, the iconic actor who portrayed the series' villain, Freddy Krueger. The film also includes interviews with Wes Craven, the creator and director of the original movie, who passed away in 2015.

The documentary has a chronological structure, starting with the creation of the first movie and going on to explore the making of each of the seven movies in the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" series. The documentary also covers the TV show "Freddy's Nightmares" and the 2010 "A Nightmare on Elm Street" remake.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the way it explores the cultural impact of the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" franchise. It was one of the first horror movie franchises to blend humor and horror, and this approach to horror films became influential in the years that followed.

The documentary covers the critical response to the series and how it evolved over time. Initially, some critics dismissed the series as mere exploitation and low-budget horror. Still, as the movies became more popular, critics began to recognize the series' significance as a cultural phenomenon.

The documentary also covers the controversy surrounding the series, particularly around the character of Freddy Krueger. Many people accused the character of being a misogynist and a sadist. The filmmakers and actors respond to these criticisms and discuss whether the character is being misunderstood.

One crucial aspect of the documentary is how it explores the making of each movie. The filmmakers go in-depth on the creative process and how each film came together. For example, they discuss how Wes Craven originally wrote "A Nightmare on Elm Street" as a drama and how it evolved into a horror movie.

The documentary also covers the making of prosthetics and special effects, giving audiences an inside look at how the infamous death scenes were created. There are interviews with special effects artists who explain how they designed and executed these gruesome scenes.

The documentary also covers how the movies impacted the careers of the actors involved. Many of the young actors who were cast in the movies went on to become household names, including Johnny Depp and Patricia Arquette.

Overall, Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy is a must-watch for any horror movie fan. It provides a comprehensive overview of the entire series, delving into the filmmaking process, cultural impact, and controversy that surrounded these movies. The interviews with the cast and crew members offer unique insights into one of the most significant horror movie franchises in history.

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 4 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.6.