Series synopsis
Backstory is an American documentary television series that premiered on AMC on August 12, 2000. It ended on March 11, 2005.
A provocative and in-depth look at the making of a classic movie, providing viewers with great movies. And the stories behind them.
Premise
A provocative and in-depth look at the making of a classic movie, providing viewers with great movies. And the stories behind them.
Cast and characters
Guest cast
- Patty Duke as Herself - Interviewee
- Barbara Parkins as Herself - Interviewee
- Rino Romano as Narrator
- Richard Schickel as Self - film critic
- Richard D. Zanuck as Self (as Richard Zanuck)
- Robert Altman as Self
- Donald Sutherland as Self
- Elliott Gould as Self
- Sally Kellerman as Self
- Tom Skerritt as Self
- Kim Atwood as Self (archive footage)
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 62 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 8 | June 27, 1999 | October 24, 2003 |
| Season 1 | 12 | August 12, 2000 | December 30, 2000 |
| Season 2 | 15 | January 8, 2001 | December 10, 2001 |
| Season 3 | 18 | January 21, 2002 | October 19, 2002 |
| Season 4 | 5 | January 12, 2003 | April 6, 2003 |
| Season 5 | 2 | March 7, 2004 | July 13, 2004 |
| Season 6 | 2 | March 4, 2005 | March 11, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Roman Holiday A look at the making of the classic 1953 romantic comedy “Roman Holiday,” starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Included: behind-the-scenes footage, screen tests and interviews with cast members and production personnel. Narrated by Donald Sutherland. |
June 27, 1999 |
| 2 |
Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood This special two-hour documentary event explores the myriad of dramatic conflicts, love affairs, soaring cost overruns and near death experiences that miraculously produced what stands as one of the great epic cinematic visions of all time. |
April 3, 2001 |
| 3 |
Carmen Jones Through this half-hour special, AMC explores the story behind the first successful film featuring an all African-American cast. The musical drama raised the profile of actress Dorothy Dandridge, whose performance made Hollywood history when she became the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award® in the Best Actress category. |
February 23, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bonnie and Clyde A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic 1967 gangster movie “Bonnie and Clyde,” starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway. Included: film clips and interviews. |
August 12, 2000 |
| 2 | Norma Rae | August 19, 2000 |
| 3 | The Seven Year Itch | August 26, 2000 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | An Affair to Remember | January 8, 2001 |
| 2 | Rocky Horror | January 22, 2001 |
| 3 | Anastasia | January 29, 2001 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Die Hard Actors Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia and Alan Rickman, producer Joel Silver, director John McTiernan and cinematographer Jan de Bont discuss how cast and crew overcame endless skepticism and difficult production challenges to create the 1988 action thriller. |
January 21, 2002 |
| 2 | Young Frankenstein | January 28, 2002 |
| 3 |
Sophie's Choice Features an interview with actress Meryl Streep, who won her second Academy Award® for her portrayal of a holocaust survivor in the 1982 film based on William Styron's novel. |
February 4, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Married to the Mob | January 12, 2003 |
| 2 | Platoon | February 2, 2003 |
| 3 | Doctor Dolittle | February 28, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thelma & Louise | March 7, 2004 |
| 2 | Sixteen Candles | July 13, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fight Club | March 4, 2005 |
| 2 | Romancing the Stone | March 11, 2005 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | AMC |
|---|---|
| First aired | August 12, 2000 |
| Last aired | March 11, 2005 |
| Runtime | 22 minutes |
| Status | Ended |