The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011)
Mark Cousins' landmark documentary series takes viewers on an extraordinary 15-episode journey through the entire history of world cinema.
The Story of Film: An Odyssey - Series Information
- Original Title: The Story of Film: An Odyssey
- First Air Year: 2011
- Last Air Year: 2011
- Created by: Mark Cousins
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 15
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 3, 2011 (United States - TV-PG), September 3, 2011 (Germany - 0), September 3, 2011 (Italy - T)
- Networks: Channel 4
- Alternative Titles: Story of Film : Une histoire du cinéma (FR), The Story Of Film: An Odyssey 1 + 2 (US)
- Production Companies: Channel 4 Television, Hopscotch Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Story of Film: An Odyssey - Plot
A worldwide guided tour of the greatest movies ever made and the story of international cinema through the history of cinematic innovation.
The Story of Film: An Odyssey - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of this sweeping cinematic journey:
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The Story of Film: An Odyssey - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark Cousins
Main Cast
- Mark Cousins
- Mario Cordova
- Lars von Trier
- Paul Schrader
- Norman Lloyd
- Robert Towne
- Haskell Wexler
- Youssef Chahine
- Gaston Kaboré
- Samira Makhmalbaf
Executive Producers
- Tabitha Jackson
The Story of Film: An Odyssey - FAQs
What makes The Story of Film: An Odyssey unique?
Unlike most film histories that focus on Hollywood, Mark Cousins deliberately centres the series on global cinema — from Iranian new wave to African filmmaking to Japanese masters. His lyrical, personal narration and on-location filming across dozens of countries give the series an immersive, almost poetic quality rarely seen in documentary television.
Is The Story of Film: An Odyssey worth watching?
Absolutely essential viewing for anyone passionate about cinema. Critics praised it as one of the most ambitious and beautifully crafted documentary series ever made about film. Its 15 episodes function as both a masterclass and a love letter to movies, introducing viewers to hundreds of extraordinary films they may never have encountered otherwise.
Where can you stream The Story of Film: An Odyssey?
The series is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. You can also rent or buy episodes on Amazon Video. For free viewing, it's available on The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Hoopla, JustWatch TV, Plex, and Plex Channel.
Who are the key contributors featured in the series?
Presenter and narrator Mark Cousins guides the entire journey, but the series features remarkable interviews with filmmakers and artists including Lars von Trier, Paul Schrader, Jane Campion, Aleksandr Sokurov, Youssef Chahine, Samira Makhmalbaf, Gaston Kaboré, and veteran actor Norman Lloyd, among many others.
How many episodes does The Story of Film: An Odyssey have?
The series comprises 15 episodes, each running approximately 60 minutes, making for a total viewing experience of around 15 hours. Originally broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in 2011, the full run was later compiled and released as a theatrical film in some markets.
How was The Story of Film: An Odyssey received by critics?
The series earned widespread critical acclaim upon release. Reviewers celebrated Cousins' audacious scope and his willingness to champion overlooked world cinema alongside canonical classics. It was widely described as a landmark achievement in documentary filmmaking, earning comparisons to the great essay films of cinema history.
What inspired Mark Cousins to create this documentary series?
Cousins adapted the series from his own book, The Story of Film, published in 2004. Driven by a belief that mainstream film history marginalised non-Western cinema, he set out to create a genuinely global account — filming on location in over 25 countries and drawing on his decades of experience as a film critic and programmer.
What are similar documentary series to The Story of Film?
If you enjoyed this series, consider The Movies (2019), British Film Forever (2007), The Movies That Made Us (2019), or Marvel Studios Assembled (2021) for behind-the-scenes depth. For a similarly sweeping cultural lens, The Nineties (2017) and Prop Culture (2020) offer comparable documentary ambition and archival richness.
More About The Story of Film: An Odyssey
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.