Search - William S. Burroughs - Commissioner of Sewers on DVD

This video captures the essential brilliance of WSB

Mark Meza (mark.meza@ci.austin.tx.u | Austin, Texas | 10/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this video in 1994 as a fledgling WSB fan and quickly became a loyal reader of all his books and, have been seeking out other cameo performances ever since by one of the most influential sub-culture writers of all time. This video provides us with the brilliant insights of a reasonable, highly logical individual who just happens to have the genuine, but obscure talent to make us realize some of the undesireable - and sometimes unfathomable truths of life in the modern world. The mono-tonal voice of cynical eloquence is captured in this video, along with rapturous images of the artist work on canvas. The "fireside chat" style of the interview, paired with dubiously positioned questions on life, death, and consciousness are cleverly interlaced in between readings of some of WSB's finest excerpts. As a relatively new, but life-long WSB afficionado, I highly suggest this video to start off your wonderous journey into the mind of an incredibly gifted, off-kilter literary phenomenoh."

A rare personal look at Burroughs, rough, but informative

Mark Meza (mark.meza@ci.austin.tx.u | 05/19/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A rare look at Burroughs, the man, including a hilarious skit of "By the Dawns Early Light" starring Burroughs as Dr. Benway. The filming is quite rough, but I think William would have liked it that way. It's worth it just to hear the man speak."

Ignore the Technique and Just Enjoy the Author

J. Merritt | 01/28/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Few authors have ever been as adept at oratory with their own writings as Burroughs was, so any record of him reading his work is worth seeing. This also includes some interesting interview segments. It looks cheaply shot, and I could've lived without all the psychedelic effects that the filmmakers put behind Burroughs while he reads; the man is fascinating to listen to and watch, so that stuff is just a distraction. Nonetheless, worth seeing for fans."