Search - The Loss of Nameless Things on DVD

An Incredible story of Genius and Loss

William Birns | Catskill Mountains of N.Y. | 03/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oakley Hall III was the resident genius, guru, and inspiration behind the 1970s Lexington Conservatory Theater, a high water mark in the history of energetic and inspired American theater. His play "Grinders' Stand" is a little known classic, the story of Meriwether Lewis in blank iambic pentameter. In 1978, Hall fell from a bridge and suffered massive brain damage, changing his personality and robbing him of his genius. He lost years. Life has its own genius, however, and Hall's post-fall life resonates with the indestructibility of the human spirit. Documentary filmmaker Bill Rose has made a great film: hard-edged, strong, inspiring. It's good."

Wonderful DVD!

Nancy J. Behling | Colunbus Ohio | 04/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is the story of a gifted playwright who had a terrible fall that left him without his former abilities. He went from enfant terrible to a sweet guy. I knew him briefly after the fall, but did not know his story then. This is an extraordinary story and the DVD is very professional and well done. Very moving and sad, but hopeful."

Excellent Film - Simultaneously Eerie and Heartfelt

Matthew Krueger | 03/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fantastic work! I want to recommend it to all my friends, especially my sister, a screenwriter/filmmaker who lives in Tivoli, NY. (near Lexington). Again, great work - chilling, touching . . . . it has it all!

Matthew Krueger
Berkeley, CA
"

Rose's LOSS... is our gain...

Robert S. Dotson | 03/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A recent airing of Bill Rose's THE LOSS OF NAMELESS THINGS on PBS's "Independent Lens" afforded me the opportunity to see this extraordinary documentary film about an extraordinary playwright, Oakley Hall, III. Like so many of life's chance discoveries, I was completely surprised by the beauty of this film - both in its subject matter and its crafting.

It is more than apparent that Mr. Hall was - is - one of those uniquely gifted individuals who appear rarely on life's stage. Unfortunately, such exceptional characters seem inevitably to be cursed with flaws which lead to their own "falls." Though this was largely the case with Oakley, too, his tale ends on notes of redemption and rebirth.

Changed though he may be today, few among us will ever be able to create anything of lasting significance as Oakley has done. In his achievements, he is a fortunate man, indeed.

Bill Rose has captured this man's dramatic life in an artful and sensitive way. His use of old photos and films, interviews with friends and family, and visual references back to the LTC environs (especially, the haunting old bridge and the river below) are all superbly done. The care that has obviously been put into the creation of this documentary betrays a genuine fondness for the subject and the genius of the film artist behind its production.

Though Oakley appears at least contented with his life today, much was lost at the time of his accident. The saddest piece of the story, of course, is the apparent lack of reconciliation that exists between Oakley and his first wife. Hopefully, she - and their son - will one day see this film and it will serve to awaken those memories that are good ones; and, perhaps, they will be proud and thankful to have participated in Oakley's life."