Watch Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession is a documentary film released in 2004 that delves into the life and legacy of the Z Channel, a Los Angeles-based premium cable TV channel that operated from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. The channel, which was initially created to showcase classic films, eventually became a hub for avant-garde cinema, foreign movies, and obscure works that mainstream channels largely ignored.

Directed by Alexandra Cassavetes, the film features interviews with several individuals who played a significant role in the channel's history, as well as film clips and archival footage. Robert Altman, the legendary filmmaker, is among the interviewees, and his reminiscences about the channel and its programming add a lot of depth to the film. Altman also directed some promotional videos for the channel, and his insights into the channel's ethos and impact provide a unique perspective on the subject.

Other notable interviewees include Vera Carlisle Anderson, the channel's program director, and Jerry Harvey, its general manager. Anderson's vision contributed to the channel's eclectic range of programming, which included everything from classic Hollywood films to experimental indie movies. Harvey's marketing savvy, on the other hand, helped the channel grow its subscriber base, despite its non-traditional approach to programming.

C.L. Batten, a film scholar who wrote a book about the channel, also appears in the film, and his insights into the significance of the channel's programming are particularly illuminating. Batten emphasises that the Z Channel played a crucial role in shaping film culture in the US, and that its legacy can still be felt today.

The film is not merely a tribute to the Z Channel, though. It also explores the darker side of the channel's history, including Harvey's tragic death by suicide and his abiding obsession with the film Heaven's Gate, which he championed despite widespread criticism. The documentary handles these delicate topics with sensitivity and nuance, even as it celebrates the channel's cultural impact.

Overall, Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession is a masterful documentary that offers a deep dive into the world of the Z Channel and its impact on film culture in the US. Its interviews with key figures from the channel's history, as well as the archival footage of the channel's programming, make it an essential watch for any cinephile. It's also an important piece of cultural history that sheds light on the significance of non-traditional media outlets in shaping the way we think about art and entertainment.

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession is a 2004 history movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 85.