Watch Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future

Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future is a fascinating and inspiring documentary from 2018 about the life and career of Chesley Bonestell, one of the most influential and innovative space artists of the 20th century. This documentary explores the life and works of Chesley Bonestell, his innovative vision, and his impact on popular culture.

The film showcases the stunning artwork of Chesley Bonestell, who was renowned for his realistic and scientifically accurate portrayals of space and astronomical phenomena. His work was influential in shaping public perceptions of space exploration, and it helped inspire the American space program. Bonestell was a self-taught artist, architect, and visionary, whose work stretched far beyond the confines of the art world. He played a key role in the development of the movie industry, helping to bring his artistic sensibilities to the silver screen.

Through interviews with Bonestell's friends, colleagues, and admirers, the documentary provides a comprehensive portrait of the artist's life and work. We learn about Bonestell's early childhood in San Francisco, and his first job as a cartographer for the US Geological Survey. Bonestell's love of astronomy and space exploration began at an early age, and he spent much of his time exploring the heavens through his telescope.

The documentary also chronicles Bonestell's time as an architect in New York City, where he worked on iconic buildings such as the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. But it was his work as a space artist that would bring him fame and notoriety. Bonestell's illustrations of space and the Universe were featured in countless magazines, newspapers, and other publications, and his artwork was ubiquitous in science fiction novels and other popular media.

The documentary features interviews with several of Bonestell's colleagues and collaborators, including author Ray Bradbury and filmmaker Douglas Trumbull. Bradbury, who wrote several science fiction novels that featured Bonestell's artwork, talks at length about the impact that the artist had on both his writing and the science fiction genre as a whole. Trumbull, who worked on several science fiction films that featured Bonestell's designs, also praises the artist's visionary creativity and his mastery of scientifically accurate imagery.

Throughout the film, we are treated to stunning images of Bonestell's artwork, including his iconic depictions of the surface of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, and the surface of Mars. The film provides context for these images, explaining the scientific research and theories that went into them, as well as the cultural and historical context of their creation.

In addition to chronicling Bonestell's life and work, the documentary also addresses some of the difficulties and challenges that he faced as an artist of his time. Bonestell was often marginalized and pigeonholed as a science fiction illustrator, and he struggled to gain recognition for his more serious and scientifically accurate artwork. The film explores these challenges, and provides a nuanced portrait of a complex and multifaceted artist.

Overall, Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future is a must-see documentary for science fiction fans, space enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the history of art and technology. With its stunning visuals, insightful interviews, and compelling narrative, this film offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.3.