Biography
Donn Alan Pennebaker (/ˈpɛniːbeɪkər/; July 15, 1925 – August 1, 2019) was an American documentary filmmaker and one of the pioneers of direct cinema. Performing arts and politics were his primary subjects. In 2013, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized his body of work with an Academy Honorary Award. Pennebaker was called by The Independent as "arguably the pre-eminent chronicler of Sixties counterculture."
Directed 56
2010s
- 2016
Depeche Mode: Video Singles Collection
Director
Unlocking the Cage
Director
- 2015
Snapshots from the Tour
Director
- 2010
The National - 'High Violet' Live From Brooklyn Academy of Music
Director
2000s
- 2009
Kings of Pastry
Director
- 2008
The Return of the War Room
Director
- 2007
65 Revisited
Director
The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live at Monterey
Director
- 2006
Cinema16: American Short Films
Director
Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl
Director
- 2002
Monterey Pop - The Outtake Performances
Director
Only the Strong Survive
Director
- 2001
Down from the Mountain
Director
1990s
- 1998
Bessie: A Portrait of Bessie Schonberg
Director
- 1997
Moon Over Broadway
Director
- 1996
Westernhagen: Keine Zeit
Director
- 1994
Woodstock Diary
Director
- 1993
- 1992
Chuck Berry: Rock and Roll Music
Director
- 1991
Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock and Roll
Director
1980s
- 1989
Depeche Mode: 101
Director
Depeche Mode: Live at the Pasadena Rose Bowl
Director
- 1987
- 1983
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Director
Making Samuel Beckett's 'Rockaby'
Director
- 1981
1970s
- 1979
Town Bloody Hall
Director
The Energy War
Director
- 1973
Little Richard: Keep on Rockin'
Director
- 1972
Dancers in School
Director
- 1971
1 P.M.
Director
- 1970
Alice Cooper
Director
1960s
- 1968
Wake at Generation
Director
Two American Audiences: La Chinoise - A Film in the Making
Director
RainForest
Director
- 1967
- 1964
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
Director
- 1963
The Chair
Director
- 1962
Blackie
Director
Mooney vs. Fowle
Director
Jane
Director
Susan Starr
Director
- 1961
On the Pole: Eddie Sachs
Director
Adventures on the New Frontier
Director
David
Director
- 1960
ABC Close-Up!
Director
1950s
- 1959
Skyscraper
Director
- 1958
Brussels Loops
Director
- 1957
Daybreak Express
Director
Camera 26
2000s
- 2007
65 Revisited
Camera Operator
- 2002
Only the Strong Survive
Camera Operator
- 2001
Down from the Mountain
Director of Photography
1990s
- 1993
- 1992
Chuck Berry: Rock and Roll Music
Camera Operator
1980s
- 1989
Depeche Mode: 101
Camera Operator
Depeche Mode: Live at the Pasadena Rose Bowl
Camera Operator
- 1987
- 1983
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Camera Operator
Making Samuel Beckett's 'Rockaby'
Director of Photography
1970s
- 1979
Town Bloody Hall
Director of Photography
- 1973
Little Richard: Keep on Rockin'
Director of Photography
- 1972
Eat the Document
Camera Operator
- 1971
1 P.M.
Director of Photography
Maidstone
Director of Photography
- 1970
1960s
- 1968
Wild 90
Director of Photography
- 1967
- 1965
Marathon
Camera Operator
- 1964
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
Camera Operator
- 1961
Adventures on the New Frontier
Camera Operator
- 1960
ABC Close-Up: Yanki, No!
Director of Photography
1950s
- 1957
Daybreak Express
Director of Photography
Edited 14
2000s
- 2008
A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy
Editor
- 2002
Only the Strong Survive
Editor
- 2001
Down from the Mountain
Editor
1990s
- 1993
1980s
- 1989
Depeche Mode: 101
Editor
Depeche Mode: Live at the Pasadena Rose Bowl
Editor
- 1987
From the Pole to the Equator
Editor
- 1983
Making Samuel Beckett's 'Rockaby'
Editor
1970s
- 1971
1 P.M.
Editor
1960s
- 1964
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
Editor
- 1960
1950s
- 1957
Daybreak Express
Editor
Produced 7
2000s
- 2006
Al Franken: God Spoke
Executive Producer
- 2001
Startup.com
Producer
1970s
- 1979
Town Bloody Hall
Producer
- 1973
Little Richard: Keep on Rockin'
Producer
- 1971
1 P.M.
Producer
1960s
- 1964
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
Producer
Other crew 6
2000s
- 2008
A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy
Cinematography
- 2002
Monterey Pop - The Outtake Performances
Cinematography
1970s
- 1971
Maidstone
Cinematography
1960s
- 1968
Beyond the Law
Cinematography
- 1963
The Chair
Cinematography
- 1961
On the Pole: Eddie Sachs
Cinematography
Wrote 5
1970s
- 1971
1 P.M.
Writer
1960s
- 1968
Wild 90
Writer
- 1967
- 1960
Christopher and Me
Screenplay
1950s
- 1957
Daybreak Express
Writer
Acted in 4
1980s
- 1982
Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter
Reader - Film as a Visual Newspaper (voice)
1970s
- 1971
Up Your Legs Forever
Movie
1960s
- 1968
Wild 90
Al
Sound 2
1960s
- 1960
Christopher and Me
Music
Appearances10
2020s
- 2020
2010s
- 2015
- 2014
A Venue For The End Of The World
Himself
- 2011
Mario Ruspoli, Prince of the Whales
Self
- 2010
Godard Made in USA
Self
2000s
- 2008
Morris Engel: The Independent
Self
- 2005
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
Self
- 2003
World Tour 1966: The Home Movies
Self (archive footage)
- 2000
The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack
Self
1970s
- 1971
1 P.M.
Self
Thanked in the credits1
1970s
- 1975
David Bowie: Cracked Actor
Thanks