Director · Actor

David Maysles

1931 – 1987

Who they are

Born: 10 January 1931, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 3 January 1987
Known for: What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA, Salesman, Gimme Shelter

David Maysles was an American documentary filmmaker who worked with his brother Albert as the Maysles brothers. Typically handling sound, he helped define American direct cinema through intimate, unscripted portraits. He died in 1987, leaving a lasting influence on nonfiction film.

Where to start

What's Happening! The Beatles in the USA (1964)Log in to add it to the library
Early observational film following the Beatles' first American visit, showing the brothers' fly-on-the-wall approach.
Salesman (1969)Full guide
Landmark direct cinema feature following door-to-door Bible salesmen, praised for its unvarnished realism.
Gimme Shelter (1970)Full guide
Documents the Rolling Stones' 1969 US tour and the tragic Altamont concert.
Christo's Valley Curtain (1974)Log in to add it to the library
Record of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's giant art installation; began the brothers' long collaboration with the artists.
Grey Gardens (1976)In the library
Celebrated portrait of two reclusive Beale relatives in their decaying East Hampton mansion; a cult classic.

Their films in the library

Awards

No major awards are documented here, though Christo's Valley Curtain received an Academy Award nomination.

The full list · 28

1962AnastasiaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1963ShowmanLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1964What's Happening! The Beatles in the USALog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1964IBM: A Self PortraitLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1964Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The Beatles in New YorkLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1965Cut PieceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966Meet Marlon BrandoLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966With Love from TrumanLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966Orson Welles in SpainLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1966Salvador Dalí's Fantastic DreamLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1968Journey to JerusalemLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1968Experiment on 114th StreetLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1969SalesmanLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1969The Maysles BrothersLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1970Gimme ShelterLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Self
1974Christo's Valley CurtainLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1976Grey GardensLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Self (uncredited)
1976The Burks of GeorgiaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1977Running FenceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1980Muhammad and LarryLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1985OzawaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1985Horowitz: The Last RomanticLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1987IslandsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1990Christo in ParisLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2006The Beales of Grey GardensLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Self
2006Albert Maysles: The Poetic EyeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage)
2007Wild Blue YonderLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (Archive)
2008The GatesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.