THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE
Starring: Peter Serafinowicz, Peter Jackson, John Landis, Joe Dante, Jonathan Rigby, and Christopher Lee
Director: Jon Spira
This film has been reviewed by Paige and Nick as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2024 Fantastic Film Festival.
NICK
Posthumous documentaries happen all the time, but rarely are they narrated by the deceased person in question. That's exactly what The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee attempts, thanks to a spot on impression from Peter Serafinowicz. The "Lee-told” story is engrossing in its own right, and the creative flourishes used throughout never detract from that. Instead, they enhance everything, as do the interview subjects. Everyone from Peter Jackson to John Landis (a highlight) discuss a personal relationship with Lee that far exceeded their professional ones. Everything comes together wonderfully to not only pay tribute, but immortalize the legacy of Christopher Lee.
PAIGE
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee is a surprisingly engaging and insightful telling of the late actor’s fascinating life. The documentary uses a range of creative storytelling techniques to make it stand out from your average talking head documentary. Its use of whimsical animation, puppetry, and archival footage to show us glimpses of each area of his life and movie career are quite fun and unique. All in all, I took a lot away from this story, and grew a deeper appreciation for Christopher Lee’s legacy.