The Century of the Self

The Century of the Self

2002
Documentary, History
TV Mini-Series
3h 55m
Adam Curtis' acclaimed BBC documentary mini-series examines the rise of the all-consuming self against the backdrop of the Freud dynasty. (BBC Four)
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The Century of the Self

2002
Documentary, History
TV Mini-Series
3h 55m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 83.55% from 501 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(501)
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Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
99th
This is the greatest ever cinematic attempt to explain what led to our present situation, and the first of Curtis's truly superb documentary series. It should be accompanied by a reading of Bernard Stiegler's books, Acting Out and The Decadence of Industrial Democracies. Curtis's three series, and in particular this explication of the meaning and significance of the 20th century, make him the first truly 21st century documentary filmmaker.
Rated 17 Jul 2010
90
97th
Kind of repetitive in places. Also veers too sharply into politics for the last episode, it would have been nice to have explored a broader scope of how the Internet is further factionalizing us and continuing the consumerist trend (for example). Still, the link between Bernays and Freud is fascinating and well worth a documentary.
Rated 09 Jan 2009
85
93rd
4 of the most important hours of moving pictures ever created. Plus it makes me want to pee on Edward Bernays' grave.
Rated 03 Mar 2010
100
98th
Amazing, they should show this in every school. People NEED to know this.
Rated 30 May 2012
85
92nd
Psychology, public relations, capitalism, politics, media, irrational desires, focus groups, individuality, and how all these things relate to one another within the broad theme of controlling the masses. Adam Curtis delivers another fascinating piece of work that excels in its clear presentation, showing how simple ideas can be picked up, twisted around and have a huge influence on our lives years later.
Rated 12 Aug 2014
90
82nd
The most focused of Curtis' post-2000 docs and the most biased, in a way. He seems openly contemptuous of the way consumerism and inwardness has replaced community and political awareness. May be my favorite conspiracy-tinged documentary.
Rated 16 Oct 2020
97
96th
Penetrating narrative of how industrialisation and capitalism have been making profits out of people by manipulating the mechanism of desire and commodifying the idea of democracy and freedom, which has led to the destruction of the socio-political milieu. Curtis is very good at provoking a feeling of terror inside people with the combination of music and footage.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
100
96th
Again, Adam Curtis is brilliant. This documentary deals with the rise of Freudianism as well as the rise of public relations. Fascinating and thought provoking.
Rated 24 Mar 2009
100
95th
Fascinating and disturbing documentary about how Freud's ideas were almost immediately pressed into service -- not to heal broken minds or anything like that, but to control people... and how ideas on how to do this spread like cancer throughout the world
Rated 26 Jan 2010
97
99th
A terrifying but masterful piece of work. Adam Curtis is a bastian of what journalism used to, and should still be. His programmes are always thoughtful, contextualised and well researched. Terrific.
Rated 31 Jan 2010
95
97th
This is a documentary that should be required viewing for all impressionable teenagers (and adults), but it never will be considering the copyright footage used prevents it from even allowing a DVD release (see it on Google Video). Although I found the first episode - about the origins of PR in America and how it was spearheaded by Freud's cousin Bernays - the most interesting, the latter episodes are still incredibly insightful into how corporations, and now politicians, control the masses.
Rated 06 Jan 2011
90
95th
extremely enlightening.
Rated 04 Mar 2011
65
57th
It was 2 hour too long! Otherwise it would have got 85 for interesting content. Things to be learned: 1. Freud had a lot of bad theories. 2. We are too eager to buy the "new iPhone". 3. Good marketing experts easily fool us to buy stuff (or make us vote for a candidate)
Rated 30 Jan 2012
50
50th
I'll give it points for being amusing like most BBC documentaries of this sort, but I can't give it full credit due to the amount of fallacies the documentary presents and how much vital stuff they miss. I think they overestimate Freud's presence in the field of psychology which, considering how significant he actually was, says a lot.
Rated 03 Mar 2012
95
99th
Definitely one of the most interesting documentaries I have ever watched. So many documentary filmmakers reach for ridiculous conspiracies about the US government, aliens, 9.11 etc... while this documentary carefully ties together a series of factual occurrences which paints a picture far more frightening than that of George Bush running around in his underpants planting bombs in the twin towers.
Rated 09 Aug 2015
84
77th
Lots of interesting insights, but the throughline is muddled by the film's large scope.
Rated 10 Apr 2009
86
87th
another great documentary by mr adam curtis. i feels a bit stretched out though, could've fit into 3 hours methinks. it's nice to think about the implications in the world today, seems to be getting worse all the time
Rated 24 May 2009
93
94th
Very well done documentary on the impacts of psychology on Anglo-Saxon civilisation. Loses focus after the FDR era. By the time we get to Reagan we're all but reduced to monochrome coverage.
Rated 02 Aug 2010
88
89th
A fine and ultimately moderate series illustrating the 21st century connection between psychoanalysis, business and politics, all entwined by the thread of the individual. Bernays's 'Torches of Freedom' is a stroke of brilliance and is quiet proof that despite intense scrutiny of his uncles work that there is a connecting factor between their respective fields. The Freudian slip moment caught by Curtis is beyond comedy.
Rated 01 Dec 2010
66
72nd
A valuable documentary that seeks to explain how our sociopolitical world got into the mess it's in now. I think Curtis's understanding of the symptoms is correct, but his explanation of the cause seems a bit too simplistic; by the midpoint of the series I was yearning for a more concrete anchor to grab onto. The fourth part does a good job of tying it all together, and we're left with the paradox that true insight into the problem probably shows that we're too far gone for it to do any good.
Rated 17 Nov 2011
99
99th
Critique of popular culture, the best I have ever seen.
Rated 11 Mar 2012
70
76th
Very intersting, but the way it is presented is very dry. Nonetheless, it should be mandatory viewing for students.
Rated 14 Jan 2013
87
97th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JevW-g2rCu8
Rated 31 Jan 2013
74
91st
agree to the general idea. but some quick & 'crude' explanations/generalisations. had to be more accurate in terms of 'agency' and 'structure' or meaning of 'rational' versus 'irrational' (but of course, we are not dealing with a social scientific endeavour here). irritated by the unfairly hostile representation of Freud. we are talking about one of the few truly revolutionary geniuses; not some misuse of his theory and methodology.
Rated 26 Sep 2013
4
91st
Ona re-watch this is horribly tainted by Curtis' own South Park Republicanism, still worth a watch though.
Rated 16 Feb 2014
91
89th
No episódio 1 vemos a influência de Freud e Berneys na ascenção política e econômica dos EUA dos anos 20/30. No episódio 2 vemos a influência de Anna Freud na repressiva sociedade americana dos anos 40 e 50 e Herbert Marcuse que viria destruir tais conceitos nos anos 60. No episódio 3 vemos a tentativa de liberação do indivíduo nos anos 60 e 70 através de Fritz Perls e Wilhelm Reich que foi usado para o individualismo dos anos 80. No episódio 4 vemos a manipulação política dos anos 80 e 90.
Rated 23 Sep 2014
90
88th
23 Eylul 2014 & Bu gunumuz toplumunun izahi belgesel her lisede gosterilmeli.
Rated 17 Mar 2016
82
83rd
So much info!
Rated 01 Nov 2019
88
97th
It was the first time I was introduced to psychoanalysis and Freud's theories and those around him. Was completely blown away by this approach of connecting psychology, media, politics, advertising, films, and everything. Shot in a pretty convential tv docu style but great material.
Rated 17 Jan 2021
95
90th
This does not have a coherent structure, instead it's statement of facts around the trends in society, which may seem paradoxical at times. You need to derive your own conclusion from this. It's incredibly well made. A lot of exclusive interviews shown. Great audio quality. Adam has a good voice.
Rated 30 Jan 2022
83
94th
What if I told you the self is as impermanent as everything else in this existence and clinging to it is just suffering? Curtis proves that so many human actions are pointless because we think too much.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
65
51st
The astonishing efforts that obviously went into research is, unfortunately, not done justice by the often naïve and/or generalised analysis of the information. The concluding remarks are particularly dubious. The editing and overall structure and presentation is precise and effective. Quite enjoyable despite its flaws.

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