Milius

Milius is a compelling documentary film that explores the creative and tumultuous life of renowned American filmmaker and screenwriter, John Milius. Directed by filmmakers Joey Figueroa and Zak Knutson, the film uses archival footage, interviews, and personal narration to delve into the life and work of this celebrated and controversial figure.

The documentary begins by introducing John Milius as a major figure in 1970s Hollywood, who helped define the era with his bold and unapologetic style. From a young age, Milius showed a talent for storytelling and a fascination with history and mythology, which would later influence his work as a screenwriter and director. Despite his early success, Milius was often criticized for his conservative politics and his tendency to glorify machismo and violence in his films.

The filmmakers use a combination of archival footage and interviews with Milius and his family and colleagues to create a vivid portrait of the man behind the movies. Through these interviews, we learn about Milius's upbringing in California, his early involvement with the film program at USC, and his close friendship with fellow filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The film also touches on Milius's struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, which would later have a profound impact on his career.

One of the central themes of the film is the idea of Milius as a visionary filmmaker who was ahead of his time. Despite his reputation for making violent and macho films, Milius's work was often deeply philosophical and infused with mythic symbolism. The film explores this aspect of his work through archival clips from films like Conan the Barbarian and Apocalypse Now, as well as interviews with actors and collaborators who worked with him on these projects.

The documentary also looks at Milius's reputation as a Hollywood outsider and an outsider in general. Milius's outspoken politics and unapologetic personality often put him at odds with the mainstream Hollywood establishment, and he often found himself working outside of the studio system. The film explores this aspect of his career through interviews with colleagues like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harrison Ford, and Clint Eastwood, as well as through archival footage from Milius's more controversial films.

Overall, Milius is a fascinating and engaging documentary that offers an intimate look at the life and career of one of Hollywood's most unique and controversial figures. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and personal narration, the film provides an in-depth exploration of Milius's creative process, his struggles with addiction, and his impact on the film industry. Whether you're a fan of Milius's work or simply interested in learning more about one of Hollywood's most colorful characters, this documentary is definitely worth checking out.