American Masters

History Series / 12 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

1h 23m / TV-14

How Julia Alvarez brought truth to the Mirabal sisters in her novel "In the Time of the Butterflies"

1m 29s

Writing "In the Time of the Butterflies," Julia Alvarez felt a responsibility to bring the story of the assassination of the Mirabel sisters to life through her characters, stating that "a novel is the truth according to character."

Julia Alvarez on the female perspective in "In the Time of the Butterflies"

2m 6s

For her second novel, "In the Time of the Butterflies," Julia Alvarez wanted to write about dictatorship from a female perspective. She chose the stories of the Mirabal sisters, Patria, Minerva, María Teresa and Adela, the first three of which were assassinated by the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic for oppossing the government.

How Julia Alvarez conceived the story for her novel "Afterlife"

1m 5s

Julia Alvarez released "Afterlife" in 2020, about a woman dealing with her husband's unexpected death and meeting an undocumented teenager. The book was dedicated to her oldest sister, Maury, who died in 2015, and was Alvarez's way of "[giving] voice to that landscape of aging."

How Paul Feig discovered directing by watching “The Pink Panther”

1m 16s

Paul Feig recalls watching “The Pink Panther” for the first time and being enamored by not just the acting, but how the film was being directed. “I remember then watching the credits and seeing, ‘Directed by Blake Edwards,’ and that name just stuck with me,” said Feig in this outtake from “Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames.”

Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames

2m 14s

Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series.

When Blake Edwards gave filmmaker Rob Marshall his iconic viewfinder

1m 52s

In this outtake from “Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames,” Rob Marshall recounts the touching moment when Blake Edwards gifted him his trusted viewfinder to celebrate the release of Marshall’s first film “Chicago” (2002).

When Blake Edwards cast Bo Derek in “10”

49s

Blake Edwards was looking to cast the “perfect woman” in his film “10” and offered the role to Bo Derek, whose performance shot her to stardom. “Blake changed my life forever,” said Derek.

Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames (EAD + OC Trailer)

2m 37s

Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series. This version of the trailer contains extended audio description and open captions.

Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames (ASL Trailer)

2m 14s

Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series. This version of the trailer contains on-screen ASL interpretation.

American Masters Shorts: Season 1

1m 35s

Explore new documentary shorts about artists who defy the odds to create remarkable work. This ongoing series from American Masters showcases cultural trailblazers through short-form storytelling.

Love, Jamie

1m 21s

Jamie Diaz is a 66-year-old Mexican-American trans woman and self-taught artist who has spent nearly 30 years in a men’s prison in Texas. See how her enduring friendship with Gabriel Joffe, a volunteer who happened upon one of her works, has helped Jamie’s art reach far beyond the prison walls.

5 Firing Line moments that are still relevant today

15m 34s

William F. Buckley, Jr. hosted Firing Line for 33 years. During his tenure as host, he debated a number of influential public figures on topics ranging from comedy to imperialism. This compliation shows Buckley in conversation with five of his most memorable guests on matters that are still important today.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (AD + ASL + OC Trailer)

2m 47s

Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement. This version contains audio description, open captions and ASL interpretation.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley

2m 31s

Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement.

Exclusive Preview: Who was William F. Buckley, Jr.?

10m 12s

Watch the first ten minutes of The Incomparable Mr. Buckley in this sneak preview. Discover how political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr. galvanized the modern conservative movement. The preeminent public intellectual grew up on a sprawling estate in Sharon, Connecticut, where his father's own idea of pedagogy had a lasting impact on his future ideals.

When William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City

2m 56s

In an effort to drive votes away from "liberal Republican" John Lindsay, William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party. The columnist Pete Hamill said of Buckley at the time, "This is the first person we've ever seen in politics with a genuinely original mind."

William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relationship with wife Patricia

2m 5s

William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship. The two "annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other." They held grand parties at their home with many distinguished guests.

Buckley's Yale criticism fueled the conservative movement

1m 47s

William F. Buckley, Jr. was tapped to speak at the Alumni Day Speech at Yale University in 1950. However, Yale administration feared his outspoken criticism of the university and asked Buckley to pare back his speech. Buckley refused and later wrote a book about his experiences at the school.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot"

2m 40s

In 1963, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and sociologist Nathan Glazer published their book, "Beyond the Melting Pot," which transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America, from a homogenized country to one of jostling ethnic groups.

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