RoboDoc will premiere exclusively in the UK on the Icon Film Channel from 2nd October, followed by the Blu-ray Collector’s Edition on December 18th and TVOD/EST from January 1st 2024.
Synopsis
Directed by Eastwood Allen and Christopher Griffiths (Pennywise: The Story of IT), and produced by Gary Smart (Dark Ditties Presents), the film includes brand new interviews with BAFTA-nominated RoboCop Director, Paul Verhoeven, plus a host of stars from the original trilogy including Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Ray Wise, Kurtwood Smith, Ronny Cox, and the late Miguel Ferrer. Complete with exclusive behind-the-scenes materials, this comprehensive new take on the story offers something completely unique to the ‘making of’ format, fully immersing viewers into the world of 80’s filmmaking.
Review
In 1987 the landscape of movie as forever changed by the release of Orion’s RoboCop. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, a Dutch auteur with a penchant for ultra-violence, the film took inspiration from classics like Bladerunner and Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic Metropolis. But despite its classical influences, the film turned the dystopian future sub-genre on its head. Now documentary filmmakers Eastwood Allen and Christopher Griffiths are digging deep for a four-part documentary-series which really leaves no stone unturned in telling the RoboCop story.
RoboDoc is nothing short of exhaustive. Across four episodes there is barely any stone left unturned in exploring all aspects of the film. From development to shooting, editing and post production, it seems that almost everyone with a key role to play in bringing the film to life has taken part.
The series follows the usual documentary style. We start at the beginning with how RoboCop was first conceived, written and pitched to various studios. Then it’s on to the journey of producing the film from costume design through to visual effects, scoring and beyond. Every section of the RoboCop story is accompanied by a series of talking heads who chip in with incredible insights in to life behind-the-scenes.
We start with director Paul Verhoeven, writer and co-producer Ed Neumeier, writer Mike Miner and producer Jon Davison. These four are omnipresent throughout the documentary as the most important puppeteers in bringing the film to life. It’s clear these four didn’t always get along but their fondness for the final product is able to surmount the endless on-set squabbles. Each of the four offers an invaluable insight in to the filmmaking process and really makes RoboCop something special for die-hard fans.
As the series moves from pre-production to life on set we’re joined by key cast members for their own takes on making the movies. Peter Weller (RoboCop/Murphy), Nancy Allen (Officer Anne Lewis), Ronny Cox (Dick Jones), Kurtwood Smith (Boddicker), Ray Wise (Leon Nash), Jesse D. Goons (Joe Cox),Calvin Jung (Steve Minh) and Paul McCrane (Emil Antonowsky all get in on the action. Again, their memories of the production aren’t always rosey but their nostalgia and warmth for the film is what shines through in the end.
Other faces such as VFX legends Phil Tippet and Rob Bottin also provide important insights due to the film’s use of cutting-edge (at the time) effects to bring portions of the film to the big screen.
The work of the filmmakers is unparalleled. As present day talking heads discuss taking Stan Lee to see an early cut of Terminator or as Weller muses on the torture of wearing the costume, the RoboDoc visuals dive fabulously deep in to the archives to bring plenty of footage from the set. There are also snippets of old interviews, ADR recording and original score recordings. All lovingly inserted to help propel the fascinating stories of the contributors.
One could argue that four episodes clocking in at over an hour each is a little too in-depth. There may be a shorter version of RoboDoc for less engage fans hiding in the edit. But what the filmmakers have lovingly crafted is a series which looks at the overall filmmaking experience whilst expanding on key sections of the movie. The death of Paul McCrane’s Antonowsky, Murphy’s return to his former home, RoboCop’s interactions with Anne and others all get the in-depth treatment across the series. Focussing in on challenges, trials and tribulations of each in ways that die-hard fans will really enjoy sinking their teeth into.
Verdict
RoboDoc is the quintessential look behind-the-scenes at the making of a classic. From the legends of created it, to the cast who carried it, the series leaves no stone unturned in telling the untold story of RoboCop.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
