Go check out “Bird” (2024), featuring Barry Kepghan, streaming now in the U.S., or anything else streaming on MUBI for FREE with an extended 30-day trial by heading over to mubi.com/cinemastix
your caption is incorrect it says 2004 not 2014 I don't talk about television often. But my goodness, 'The Knick', which ran for two season back in 2004, has got to be one of the most under-appreciated series of the last 20 years. The show, starring Clive Owen as Dr. John Thackeray, was released on a little-known network at the time, and it simply didn't get the reach it deserved. Not only was every episode of the show directed by Steven Soderbergh, which is remarkably enough in its own right--the show was also shot by and edited by Soderbergh. Director, cinematographer and editor--that takes the term "auteur" to another level. So today, I'm gonna look at some of the things that make Soderbergh's work on The Knick so special. And if you haven't watched The Knick already... please, please do.
I loved "The Knick" and was absolutely shocked it wasn't a huge hit, let alone cancelled. Not only was it expertly shot, but the writing, acting, and everything about it was a 10/10.
the ending shot/his last words were absolutely timeless & i think of it occasionally. i've been trying for *years* to get people to watch this. the electronic soundtrack with a period piece, the below-waistline recording angles, bringing up misogyny, addiction, racism, ethics, cutting edge medical technology. it's honestly fantastic all the way around. i'm glad it didn't end on a complete cliffhanger, but it's truly tragic it it wasn't more recognized.
I'd never heard of it, much less where it can be seen. Another casualty of the production companies not marketing their series in the advent of the streaming era.
@@Tiger74147 I mean it's not their fault. I remember it being advertised everywhere where I'm from (Tri state area) . It was on a cable channel. I wanna say Cinemax and being advertised as a Cinemax flagship show. If it wasn't Cinemax it was a channel similar to it. Then once it got canned, that's when it came to Netflix. But once on Netflix, what's the point of advertising if it's already cancelled? But yes. It was well advertised. It just got lost in the sea of great tv that was happening around that time. That was definitely a renaissance and golden age for shows.
I watched The Knick on TV when it first came out, eagerly awaiting each new episode (remember when we all did that?) I loved it, and found it simultaneously impressive and also frustrating that the whole story was told in twenty episodes. The precision of the whole thing was satisfying and yet left me wanting more. And of course, Clive Owen was masterful.
A long take, allowing actors full expression, showcases cinema's power to capture raw authenticity and believability. Done well, it's a masterful testament to the craft. A skilled and experienced director recognizes this and will employ it to serve the narrative when most effective. It's something I always look for and appreciate.
This show was mind-blowing. I would stay up late watching with my friend. It was so complex and, as you mentioned, just visually stunning. One of my favorite series of all time, and I recommend it to people every chance I get. I still haven't watched it again, but it's been about 8 years or so. Thanks for giving me the push!
As a physician who is well aware of the history of the early age of surgery in the United States, I had a special love for The Knick. Seriously one of the best series ever on television. So sad it ended too quickly.
It’s absolutely flawless and brilliant. Saw it when it originally aired and was blown away. This show is at the top of unrecognized underdogs that should have swept every single award. Clive Owen, André Holland, Eve Hewson (Bono’s daughter), Juliet Rylance, Jeremy Bobb and EVERY cast member simply knocks it out of the ballpark. Top notch performances. Thank you for recognizing this beautiful work of art. It’s a darn shame it was cancelled. 😢
Agree. It's been a while so I can't really remember if I was upset it didn't continue but I do remember the ending scene being almost poetically meaningful (in the context of science, medicine and social development), so I think I'm happy it ended when it did.
Didn’t all the plot’s cliches bother you? Were you ever surprised by the story? I loved a lot about The Knick - it was beautifully shot and gritty - but we were always able to predict what was going to happen 100% of the time. Did you ever feel that way?
Please don't change the title this time. He changed the title. The original one was: a director, an editor and a camera guy walk into a bar, and the bartender says, "hi steve"
Ah this was awesome to hear your perspective. A video that’s been on my ‘one day’ list for years is Why The Knick is the Greatest Medical TV Show, not only for all the reasons you mention, which I would’ve argued less articulately, but from a medical perspective it’s unbelievably accurate, and when it isn’t, if you know your medical history, you can see how they’ve expertly adapted things. This is no surprise as they worked with medical historians and physicians to get all kinds of small details right. I used to do little twitter threads explaining stuff they got spot on. The two lead characters were heavily inspired by real people too, Clive Owen’s famously based on William Halsted, the father of American surgery and a hopeless cocaine addict. An absolute masterpiece.
Great comment. When they canceled the show, the first thing I thought was: the average American is just too deficient between the ears to appreciate this type of show.
Hollywood needs more people like Soderbergh. Too often films and TV become and imitation game and standardized for one style of shooting. To constantly push yourself and innovate and be uncomfortable is admirable and makes for a better future generation of filmmakers.
Hollywood doesn't want too many people like Soderbergh, that's why they don't cultivate the type. They want A person like Soderbergh so they can claim to do art while really going after $$$. Just like the NFL is happy to push the Green Bay Packers as a community owned small town team but passed rules to keep it from happening again. He serves a purpose, but that's to obscure the hard business side.
One of the best series ever! Style, substance, suberb cast, the time machine feel of it, perfection. Thank you, sometimes all you need to feel better is to be reminded things like that still exist
Then add on top of all this the brilliant music (rich with anachronistic synth that just .. works), and the incredible special effects, so visceral, unflinching and casually immaculate that you forget it's not real blood. I haven't watched this again since it came out, but I'm definitely going to now, because seeing all these characters again made me miss them so much. This is the only show where I found myself in idle daydreaming at work or on the road, wondering what they were up to and how they're doing. So much of the acting in here is just downright phenomenal. Plus with the sets and sounds, all the mud and blood and mood swings and utterly believable love triangles, not just in the writing but the actual on-screen chemistry .. I feel like I was there.
A truly exceptional series in ever aspect. I've yet to ever talk to someone who's seen it. Great to see the love it's getting here. Well done CS thank you.
Going into the Knick blind is one of the best experiences with a series or film that I've ever had. I had no idea what to expect but I liked Clive Owen and Soderbergh so I watched it. I was also doing a lot of coke at the time, and it was like a crazy meta spiritual experience. It's so well made, from the writing to the performances, the production design. It's also so slept on, I've met maybe 3 or 4 people in real life who even know what it is.
For some reason or another, this show has come up in my conversations several times over the past few weeks so it's been on my mind. Loved it so much, your articulation here of the visual aspect of the show is so well done. Thanks for this
Thanks for this, might I suggest a follow up analysis of the superb costume design in the Knick? It’s marvelous how Soderberg lets the fabrics, colors, textures, shapes, and class dress extend his actors’ ability to express their characters.
One thing I'd like to point out is the music. I was shocked to hear Cliff Martinez' electronic score in this period drama. And then, I understood why Soderbergh used it and it seemed like it was always the perfect choice. Cutting edge music for a show about characters on the cutting edge of medicine. It's not "realistic" in a logical sense but, emotionally true. It captures the mood of the show. One of the best directed shows I've ever seen on television.
The Knick is a certified banger show and was blown away when I watched it. I showed it to my wife, and we watched the whole thing twice. Great recommendation.
Its Great! And I hate TV Shows most of the time, not a binger or a streaming fanatic at all! Alone the Look and the Cinematography: perfect, elegant , a 100% perfectionism! ❤
@@katarinatill4713 I don't generally watch series. Barely could finish the 1st season of Stranger things, Last of us and Walking Dead. Breaking Bad only liked first two seasons. But the first 2 seasons of Lost were some of the best television ever made. Try out, "The Leftovers"
I find that every time CinemaStix covers a piece of film, is the best time to check out something I've never seen before. Often, it's the best time to rewatch through the eyes of a true fan. He has literally changed how I've watched.
Just binged the first season over the weekend and gotta say the cinematography is on another level!! Pause at any frame and it’s worthy to be framed on an exhibition hall (storyline and character build up are satisfying, a great plus) Ty
The Knick deserved alot more plaudits, your channel always seems to pick the right type of shows/films to analyze. Soderbergh delivered a masterpiece, personally felt aspects of the cinematography matched The Conclave which I only just watched today.
I cannot believe I have never heard of this series. Definitely adding it to the top of the list ... right up my alley. I'm going to count long shots aloud every episode and annoy people around me.
To me it was a delight to have such great a lenghty performance by Clive Owen, truly in his prime. And what a compelling story in such and underseen period and time setting. Also the soundtrack by Cliff Martinez is a great work of electronic music. Truly one of the geatest series out there.
Your first video featuring The Knick brought this show to my attention (reinforced by the GQ video where Clive Owen breaks down his career) and this video reminds me that in this, our year of 2025, I still have to track down a copy and watch it.
This sub, and my Patreon to it, are worth every second of my time and every nickel of my money. What an amazing, thorough and well-edited breakdown and showcase of one of the best Golden Age shows ever.
The Knick was flawless. The dialogue, the acting, the direction, costumes, lighting, set design, cinematography...all of it, flawless. And yet we were only given a single season. Was it the ratings? The cost? Was it impractical? In the end it doeasn't matter why we never received a second season. I'm just grateful we have one.
Ive not seen the show but the shot you showed of the half lit hallway where the characters being made visible/invisible by lighting the lamp and closing the door is absolutely gorgeous
I know. I didn’t plan that shot into my video when I was writing it, so I didn’t get a chance to specifically call it out for what it’s doing. But I was hoping people would notice and appreciate it :)
One of my favorite parts of this series is its soundtrack. Theres this weird juxtaposition between the period piece and this almost... ambient electronic ost.
Absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much for making this Danny. I just loved watching those brilliant long takes and beautiful compositions with your voice helping guide me to what made them so engaging!
I'm working on my second 20 minute short, and I've been director, cinematographer and editor, as well as sound etc, and I find it hard to imagine giving over editorial duties or cinematography duties to anyone else 😅 I love the complete creative control I have, but undoubtedly working with someone else could be artistically and creatively beneficial.
I know it isn’t exactly the same-totally different scale-but that’s exactly how I feel about the work I do, too. I enjoy every facet of it. Why would I want to hand it off?
Need to learn to trust those with abilities beyond your own. Example: Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part One and Two used Greg Frasier as his cinematographer and the result was exceptional.
Another great vid! Thanks! Yeah that wuz some early streaming. Time to revisit it perhaps. Soderbergh vocally ditched film for digital. This series shows why. It is as if he was let loose from an albatross and finally given the technical means to express himself. It feels very impulsive- especially for as few edits. Groundbreaking fer sure. Thanks again
Thanks for this, Danny. ❤ I’ve been hearing about The Knick forever, and finally got around to starting my first watch of it in just the last few weeks. It’s breathtaking, and I hadn’t even known about Soderbergh’s multiple roles in the production, until you told me! 😮 Happy New Year, all. 🎉🎉🎉
I had no idea Soderberg was also DP & Editor!! Wow, that's impressive! The show is criminally underrated and now knowing this has taken it up several notches for me
i actually just rewatched season 1 a few weeks ago for the 3rd time, and something that happened to stand out this time around was how good the cast are. i have never seen any of these actors before (besides clive owen of course) but every single actor seems to be a perfect fit for their roles. im guessing they are all very experienced actors because nobody seemed to come acorss as overacting. but yea props to whoever was in charge of casting as well and maybe also to the studio for not trying to cheap out by hiring actors with less experience
Happy New year Danny, and everyone else. Hope this year rox for everyone. Thanks for the video, once again. Now I have to make a point of watching The Knick.
I LOVE The Knick. Thanks for the insights Danny! I think some of what you lay out here explains what I like about it. Especially the long shots. I love shows/movies with longer shots - it gives good actors room to shine rather than chopping up their interactions with one-shots. Added to my list to watch yet again!
DEFINITELY going to rewatch it! I noticed the creativity of the show but I didn't noticed how long the shots were :O. The show was so immersive. I remember that I couldn't binge it all in a day, despite it being such a short show. I just had to take my time because it was so strong.
:D I don’t wanna make any lofty promises, but I’m actually working on upping my output a tiny bit beginning at the end of this month. Just a tad. I’m still only one person with only so much time. But I’ve begun to feel like they’re too few and far between myself.
I remember when back at the Uni, I read a newspaper during a biology class, in which a very small article mentioned The Knick, that was enough to catch my attention. Started watching the serie, leaving me amazed by its rawness, natural light, slow pace, rare cuts, set design and incredible story. 2 seasons, straight to the point, evolving characters, amazing actors, perfect show in my opinion.
I watched it about 8 years ago on the recommendation of a friend that has never given me a bad recommendation (she took me to see the Fifth Element in the theaters, bless her). Ive been finding myself craving a rewatch in the past year or so, because the spiral into drug addition and madness of the main character has stuck with me all these years, and I find it fascinating how that character can have such power over a persons life while at the same time being such an obvious lunatic. The blood and gore was shocking, while the sex was surprisingly liberating, and in a period piece, it was remarkable. A truly excellent work that should be recognized more. I am genuinely surprised this is the first video essay on this series that ive seen. Well done.
I absolutely loved this show. From the first sequence of the first episode, as soon as the almost alien background music played - I was hooked. Incredibly shot, acted and written. I cant explain how disappointed I was when it was announced it was cancelled. My brain simply couldnt grasp WHY.
@murli486 hard to really put a concrete list out there. But BB, True Detective S1, Sopranos, Chernobyl, The Deuce, The Offer are all my top favs. Prob some I'm missing too so call it a top 10
Why the hell aren't more shows directed/shot/edited in this way? Future generations will be astonished that this show wasn't universally lauded from day one!
I'm watching this show for the first time and i love how its put together. The cold open in season one with the rat fighting pit is one of the best in tv history for me.
Thank you for this. Great work. Totally agree. The Knick has one of my favorite blocking shots in all of TV - when Lucy Elkins breaks into Thack's house, she lands in the living room that's filled with empty chairs - all the ghosts of his failed experiments. What subtle elegant magnificence. Furthermore, I think you could do a great episode on Tarantino's grossly erroneous comment that all TV is soap opera and has no lasting memorable moments. To each their own, but come on!
Gah, right? I put that scene aside, but just didn’t end up using it. Hah. I haven’t heard that quote. But I can certainly picture him saying it. Do you know when he said it? I mean, obviously TV has come a long way.
I absolutely love this series. Both seasons should be broken down and analyzed. I think we'd ALL love to see him get access to another series. His other one have also been phenomenal: Mosaic, Full Circle and Command Z.
Ayyy hell yeah, this show's great. Ended up watching it years back due to seein' a podcast clip of Steve-O recommending it and got curious due to havin' heard of The Knickerbocker before. Pretty much from the moment hand-pumped medical blood machinery appeared on screen I was drawn in haha.
Thank you for what you do. No matter how many time I watch or rewatch your videos every one always seems to inspire me to make something.❤ Happy new year!
YAY I've been waiting for this! I loved this show so much! I read the book "The Butchering Art" by former RUclipsr Lindsey Fitzharris and it was soooo good. All about the real life surgeon that this show was based on. Very fascinating time to be alive, and it's rare to see films and shows placed in this moment. One movie is "Colette" with Keira Knightley. Both of these show very specific social movements at the turn of the 20th century. SUCH a good show!
Go check out “Bird” (2024), featuring Barry Kepghan, streaming now in the U.S., or anything else streaming on MUBI for FREE with an extended 30-day trial by heading over to mubi.com/cinemastix
Looks like your finger slipped over to the p key.
You've a typo in the description, 2004 instead of 2014.
If Barry isn’t dry humping a bird then is it worth being filmed? Idk 🤣
your caption is incorrect it says 2004 not 2014
I don't talk about television often. But my goodness, 'The Knick', which ran for two season back in 2004, has got to be one of the most under-appreciated series of the last 20 years. The show, starring Clive Owen as Dr. John Thackeray, was released on a little-known network at the time, and it simply didn't get the reach it deserved. Not only was every episode of the show directed by Steven Soderbergh, which is remarkably enough in its own right--the show was also shot by and edited by Soderbergh. Director, cinematographer and editor--that takes the term "auteur" to another level. So today, I'm gonna look at some of the things that make Soderbergh's work on The Knick so special. And if you haven't watched The Knick already... please, please do.
@@nb7216 glad someone else also caught that! i was googling the release date reading the description before I even started watching the video XD
Thanks for giving ‘the Knick’ some shine. Some well deserved recognition for the great Soderbergh.
Channel would never have been complete without it :)
i love the knick too. it needs more attention!
Are you his nephew or something?
It's a damn shame this slipped under ppl's radar. I recommend it to everyone. Soderberg is a goat
@@Chris-fn4df it’s a great show from a great filmmaker.
I loved "The Knick" and was absolutely shocked it wasn't a huge hit, let alone cancelled. Not only was it expertly shot, but the writing, acting, and everything about it was a 10/10.
the ending shot/his last words were absolutely timeless & i think of it occasionally.
i've been trying for *years* to get people to watch this. the electronic soundtrack with a period piece, the below-waistline recording angles, bringing up misogyny, addiction, racism, ethics, cutting edge medical technology. it's honestly fantastic all the way around. i'm glad it didn't end on a complete cliffhanger, but it's truly tragic it it wasn't more recognized.
Agreed
I'd never heard of it, much less where it can be seen. Another casualty of the production companies not marketing their series in the advent of the streaming era.
@@Tiger74147 I mean it's not their fault. I remember it being advertised everywhere where I'm from (Tri state area) . It was on a cable channel. I wanna say Cinemax and being advertised as a Cinemax flagship show. If it wasn't Cinemax it was a channel similar to it. Then once it got canned, that's when it came to Netflix. But once on Netflix, what's the point of advertising if it's already cancelled? But yes. It was well advertised. It just got lost in the sea of great tv that was happening around that time. That was definitely a renaissance and golden age for shows.
I watched The Knick on TV when it first came out, eagerly awaiting each new episode (remember when we all did that?) I loved it, and found it simultaneously impressive and also frustrating that the whole story was told in twenty episodes. The precision of the whole thing was satisfying and yet left me wanting more. And of course, Clive Owen was masterful.
A long take, allowing actors full expression, showcases cinema's power to capture raw authenticity and believability. Done well, it's a masterful testament to the craft. A skilled and experienced director recognizes this and will employ it to serve the narrative when most effective. It's something I always look for and appreciate.
This show was mind-blowing. I would stay up late watching with my friend. It was so complex and, as you mentioned, just visually stunning. One of my favorite series of all time, and I recommend it to people every chance I get. I still haven't watched it again, but it's been about 8 years or so. Thanks for giving me the push!
As a physician who is well aware of the history of the early age of surgery in the United States, I had a special love for The Knick. Seriously one of the best series ever on television. So sad it ended too quickly.
It’s absolutely flawless and brilliant. Saw it when it originally aired and was blown away. This show is at the top of unrecognized underdogs that should have swept every single award. Clive Owen, André Holland, Eve Hewson (Bono’s daughter), Juliet Rylance, Jeremy Bobb and EVERY cast member simply knocks it out of the ballpark. Top notch performances. Thank you for recognizing this beautiful work of art. It’s a darn shame it was cancelled. 😢
Agree. It's been a while so I can't really remember if I was upset it didn't continue but I do remember the ending scene being almost poetically meaningful (in the context of science, medicine and social development), so I think I'm happy it ended when it did.
Didn’t all the plot’s cliches bother you? Were you ever surprised by the story? I loved a lot about The Knick - it was beautifully shot and gritty - but we were always able to predict what was going to happen 100% of the time. Did you ever feel that way?
Please don't change the title this time.
He changed the title. The original one was:
a director, an editor and a camera guy walk into a bar, and the bartender says, "hi steve"
I certainly hope not to. Assuming it performs okay.
Yeah cause this is actually one of your best titles ever.
@@notprasun_i'm late what was the original title
@@jeremiahlougheed1189 I’m imagining he hasn’t changed it yet, hence the plea.
@@CinemaStix You could capitalize the first letter.
Ah this was awesome to hear your perspective. A video that’s been on my ‘one day’ list for years is Why The Knick is the Greatest Medical TV Show, not only for all the reasons you mention, which I would’ve argued less articulately, but from a medical perspective it’s unbelievably accurate, and when it isn’t, if you know your medical history, you can see how they’ve expertly adapted things. This is no surprise as they worked with medical historians and physicians to get all kinds of small details right. I used to do little twitter threads explaining stuff they got spot on. The two lead characters were heavily inspired by real people too, Clive Owen’s famously based on William Halsted, the father of American surgery and a hopeless cocaine addict. An absolute masterpiece.
Great comment. When they canceled the show, the first thing I thought was: the average American is just too deficient between the ears to appreciate this type of show.
OMG, you're here too.
This show lives in my brain rent free, idk how to describe it to people other than brilliant and raw. I felt like nobody had heard of it 😭
Hollywood needs more people like Soderbergh. Too often films and TV become and imitation game and standardized for one style of shooting. To constantly push yourself and innovate and be uncomfortable is admirable and makes for a better future generation of filmmakers.
Hollywood doesn't want too many people like Soderbergh, that's why they don't cultivate the type. They want A person like Soderbergh so they can claim to do art while really going after $$$. Just like the NFL is happy to push the Green Bay Packers as a community owned small town team but passed rules to keep it from happening again.
He serves a purpose, but that's to obscure the hard business side.
One of the best series ever! Style, substance, suberb cast, the time machine feel of it, perfection. Thank you, sometimes all you need to feel better is to be reminded things like that still exist
Then add on top of all this the brilliant music (rich with anachronistic synth that just .. works), and the incredible special effects, so visceral, unflinching and casually immaculate that you forget it's not real blood. I haven't watched this again since it came out, but I'm definitely going to now, because seeing all these characters again made me miss them so much. This is the only show where I found myself in idle daydreaming at work or on the road, wondering what they were up to and how they're doing. So much of the acting in here is just downright phenomenal. Plus with the sets and sounds, all the mud and blood and mood swings and utterly believable love triangles, not just in the writing but the actual on-screen chemistry .. I feel like I was there.
A truly exceptional series in ever aspect. I've yet to ever talk to someone who's seen it. Great to see the love it's getting here. Well done CS thank you.
Same here! It so isolating experiencing great Cinematography and you can't talk about it because no ones seen it
Going into the Knick blind is one of the best experiences with a series or film that I've ever had. I had no idea what to expect but I liked Clive Owen and Soderbergh so I watched it. I was also doing a lot of coke at the time, and it was like a crazy meta spiritual experience. It's so well made, from the writing to the performances, the production design. It's also so slept on, I've met maybe 3 or 4 people in real life who even know what it is.
For some reason or another, this show has come up in my conversations several times over the past few weeks so it's been on my mind. Loved it so much, your articulation here of the visual aspect of the show is so well done. Thanks for this
I will be eternally grateful for blessing us with a magnificent video about The Knick
Been in my mental list for about as long as the channel’s existed. I honestly can’t believe it’s finally done, heh.
Thanks for this, might I suggest a follow up analysis of the superb costume design in the Knick? It’s marvelous how Soderberg lets the fabrics, colors, textures, shapes, and class dress extend his actors’ ability to express their characters.
One thing I'd like to point out is the music. I was shocked to hear Cliff Martinez' electronic score in this period drama.
And then, I understood why Soderbergh used it and it seemed like it was always the perfect choice.
Cutting edge music for a show about characters on the cutting edge of medicine. It's not "realistic" in a logical sense but, emotionally true. It captures the mood of the show.
One of the best directed shows I've ever seen on television.
Absolutely! The first note of burbling Monosyths is jarring. It's both anachronistic and cutting edge.
absolutley love the score. it just makes everything sound so errie and seedy and matches the mood of the whole show perfectly
The Knick is a certified banger show and was blown away when I watched it. I showed it to my wife, and we watched the whole thing twice. Great recommendation.
I’ve seen multiple videos about how great this series is, think “I should watch this” and then immediately forget to check it out
Yeah, I get that. One day, the moment will be right. I believe that.
@@CinemaStix We believe you.
Its Great! And I hate TV Shows most of the time, not a binger or a streaming fanatic at all! Alone the Look and the Cinematography: perfect, elegant , a 100% perfectionism! ❤
@@katarinatill4713 I don't generally watch series.
Barely could finish the 1st season of Stranger things, Last of us and Walking Dead.
Breaking Bad only liked first two seasons.
But the first 2 seasons of Lost were some of the best television ever made.
Try out, "The Leftovers"
I find that every time CinemaStix covers a piece of film, is the best time to check out something I've never seen before. Often, it's the best time to rewatch through the eyes of a true fan. He has literally changed how I've watched.
So many scenes from that series are permanently etched into my conciousness. Loved watching it a decade ago and will rewatch on your suggestion.
Ditto.
Just binged the first season over the weekend and gotta say the cinematography is on another level!! Pause at any frame and it’s worthy to be framed on an exhibition hall (storyline and character build up are satisfying, a great plus) Ty
What took you so long?
The Knick deserved alot more plaudits, your channel always seems to pick the right type of shows/films to analyze. Soderbergh delivered a masterpiece, personally felt aspects of the cinematography matched The Conclave which I only just watched today.
I cannot believe I have never heard of this series. Definitely adding it to the top of the list ... right up my alley. I'm going to count long shots aloud every episode and annoy people around me.
To me it was a delight to have such great a lenghty performance by Clive Owen, truly in his prime. And what a compelling story in such and underseen period and time setting. Also the soundtrack by Cliff Martinez is a great work of electronic music. Truly one of the geatest series out there.
Your first video featuring The Knick brought this show to my attention (reinforced by the GQ video where Clive Owen breaks down his career) and this video reminds me that in this, our year of 2025, I still have to track down a copy and watch it.
The biggest hurdle I face when watching these videos is if I should see the show/movie before I watch your excellent video on it.
I think about this show all the time. Clive Owen's line "This is... all we are." haunts me.
This sub, and my Patreon to it, are worth every second of my time and every nickel of my money.
What an amazing, thorough and well-edited breakdown and showcase of one of the best Golden Age shows ever.
The Knick is one my top TV shows ever. Just gorgeous. I also bought both soundtrack discs. Wonderful stuff.
When I watched this series I couldn't understand why I was so delighted with it. Thank you.
As always, a beautifully recorded and edited peice.
The Knick was so good. The “Typhoid Mary” episode was excellent
You’ve convinced me! I’ll watch the Knick again!
i loved that tv show. the music is perfect too. shout out to cliff martinez
Yes!
aka steven soderbergh lol
@@pyrrhoskeptic6330 😁
thank you for the endless incredible suggestions
That’s what I’m here for :)
This show is a masterpiece on every aspect. Thanks for helping spreading the good word about this glorious work of art.
Doing my bit :)
@@CinemaStix and we're here for it !
The Knick was flawless. The dialogue, the acting, the direction, costumes, lighting, set design, cinematography...all of it, flawless. And yet we were only given a single season. Was it the ratings? The cost? Was it impractical? In the end it doeasn't matter why we never received a second season. I'm just grateful we have one.
Ive not seen the show but the shot you showed of the half lit hallway where the characters being made visible/invisible by lighting the lamp and closing the door is absolutely gorgeous
I know. I didn’t plan that shot into my video when I was writing it, so I didn’t get a chance to specifically call it out for what it’s doing. But I was hoping people would notice and appreciate it :)
One of my favorite parts of this series is its soundtrack. Theres this weird juxtaposition between the period piece and this almost... ambient electronic ost.
Absolutely brilliant! Thanks so much for making this Danny. I just loved watching those brilliant long takes and beautiful compositions with your voice helping guide me to what made them so engaging!
I'm working on my second 20 minute short, and I've been director, cinematographer and editor, as well as sound etc, and I find it hard to imagine giving over editorial duties or cinematography duties to anyone else 😅 I love the complete creative control I have, but undoubtedly working with someone else could be artistically and creatively beneficial.
I know it isn’t exactly the same-totally different scale-but that’s exactly how I feel about the work I do, too. I enjoy every facet of it. Why would I want to hand it off?
Need to learn to trust those with abilities beyond your own. Example: Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part One and Two used Greg Frasier as his cinematographer and the result was exceptional.
Another great vid! Thanks! Yeah that wuz some early streaming. Time to revisit it perhaps. Soderbergh vocally ditched film for digital. This series shows why. It is as if he was let loose from an albatross and finally given the technical means to express himself. It feels very impulsive- especially for as few edits. Groundbreaking fer sure. Thanks again
Thanks for this, Danny. ❤ I’ve been hearing about The Knick forever, and finally got around to starting my first watch of it in just the last few weeks. It’s breathtaking, and I hadn’t even known about Soderbergh’s multiple roles in the production, until you told me! 😮 Happy New Year, all. 🎉🎉🎉
I had no idea Soderberg was also DP & Editor!! Wow, that's impressive! The show is criminally underrated and now knowing this has taken it up several notches for me
i actually just rewatched season 1 a few weeks ago for the 3rd time, and something that happened to stand out this time around was how good the cast are. i have never seen any of these actors before (besides clive owen of course) but every single actor seems to be a perfect fit for their roles. im guessing they are all very experienced actors because nobody seemed to come acorss as overacting. but yea props to whoever was in charge of casting as well and maybe also to the studio for not trying to cheap out by hiring actors with less experience
Happy New year Danny, and everyone else. Hope this year rox for everyone. Thanks for the video, once again. Now I have to make a point of watching The Knick.
Happy new year! And yessss, do it.
:)
The description says The Knick was 2004, the video says 2014. I assume 2014 is the correct number.
Loved this series, such a hidden gem
I LOVE The Knick. Thanks for the insights Danny!
I think some of what you lay out here explains what I like about it. Especially the long shots. I love shows/movies with longer shots - it gives good actors room to shine rather than chopping up their interactions with one-shots.
Added to my list to watch yet again!
DEFINITELY going to rewatch it! I noticed the creativity of the show but I didn't noticed how long the shots were :O. The show was so immersive. I remember that I couldn't binge it all in a day, despite it being such a short show. I just had to take my time because it was so strong.
I've been looking for a new binge, thank you
I randomly picked this show on a flight 10 years ago and remember how astonished i was at just how good it was. Time to rewatch...
Finally subscribed and set on full notifications. Your quality uploads are rare enough I don't want to miss one!
:D I don’t wanna make any lofty promises, but I’m actually working on upping my output a tiny bit beginning at the end of this month. Just a tad. I’m still only one person with only so much time. But I’ve begun to feel like they’re too few and far between myself.
I remember when back at the Uni, I read a newspaper during a biology class, in which a very small article mentioned The Knick, that was enough to catch my attention. Started watching the serie, leaving me amazed by its rawness, natural light, slow pace, rare cuts, set design and incredible story. 2 seasons, straight to the point, evolving characters, amazing actors, perfect show in my opinion.
Omg yes someone is talking about the knick yes please ughhh don’t stop
:)
This is still one of my favorite shows and all because of the reasons you lay out.
I watched it about 8 years ago on the recommendation of a friend that has never given me a bad recommendation (she took me to see the Fifth Element in the theaters, bless her). Ive been finding myself craving a rewatch in the past year or so, because the spiral into drug addition and madness of the main character has stuck with me all these years, and I find it fascinating how that character can have such power over a persons life while at the same time being such an obvious lunatic. The blood and gore was shocking, while the sex was surprisingly liberating, and in a period piece, it was remarkable. A truly excellent work that should be recognized more. I am genuinely surprised this is the first video essay on this series that ive seen. Well done.
I absolutely loved this show. From the first sequence of the first episode, as soon as the almost alien background music played - I was hooked. Incredibly shot, acted and written. I cant explain how disappointed I was when it was announced it was cancelled. My brain simply couldnt grasp WHY.
Thanks for the recommendation, Mr. Boyd. It definitely looks great!
The opening of this show was used in one of my film classes for creating tension but also setting tone of a whole project.
Still in my all time top 5 TV shows. I haven't gotten over they stopped after 2 seasons.
What are the other four?
@murli486 hard to really put a concrete list out there. But BB, True Detective S1, Sopranos, Chernobyl, The Deuce, The Offer are all my top favs. Prob some I'm missing too so call it a top 10
Thanks for reminding me about this show. I loved it. It's time to watch again.
Happy New Year, Danny.
Been looking forward to this. Love it, thanks.
Why the hell aren't more shows directed/shot/edited in this way?
Future generations will be astonished that this show wasn't universally lauded from day one!
Thank god you let me know about this show! Love your stuff!
I'm watching this show for the first time and i love how its put together. The cold open in season one with the rat fighting pit is one of the best in tv history for me.
Love the lighting in this show. It reminds me of Barry Lyndon.
A director, an editor and a camera man walk into a bar and the bartender says, "hi steve"
04/01/2025
I never cease to recommend this serie, is just perfect.
wow! love this creativity. it really makes you feel a lot more like you're a part of the story, a witness peering in at times. So cool!
Thank you for this. Great work. Totally agree. The Knick has one of my favorite blocking shots in all of TV - when Lucy Elkins breaks into Thack's house, she lands in the living room that's filled with empty chairs - all the ghosts of his failed experiments. What subtle elegant magnificence.
Furthermore, I think you could do a great episode on Tarantino's grossly erroneous comment that all TV is soap opera and has no lasting memorable moments. To each their own, but come on!
Gah, right? I put that scene aside, but just didn’t end up using it.
Hah. I haven’t heard that quote. But I can certainly picture him saying it. Do you know when he said it? I mean, obviously TV has come a long way.
@@CinemaStix He said it on Rogan of all places like 3 weeks ago ruclips.net/video/0V5HddLMtNs/видео.html
The Knick is so damn good
Thanks for the introduction. I love that he multitasked under pseudonyms. I have this on my watchlist now.
I’d really like to see this channel talk about Mike Flanagan. There’s another director who also edits his own material for the most part.
I loved The Knick. Queuing it up for a rewatch!
Glad you finally made a video about it
I absolutely love this series. Both seasons should be broken down and analyzed. I think we'd ALL love to see him get access to another series. His other one have also been phenomenal: Mosaic, Full Circle and Command Z.
Ayyy hell yeah, this show's great. Ended up watching it years back due to seein' a podcast clip of Steve-O recommending it and got curious due to havin' heard of The Knickerbocker before. Pretty much from the moment hand-pumped medical blood machinery appeared on screen I was drawn in haha.
Thank you for what you do. No matter how many time I watch or rewatch your videos every one always seems to inspire me to make something.❤ Happy new year!
Sound work in this series is also amazing btw
I love love love this channel's analyses, but it's also provided me with so many great recommendations to watch ❤
The original title - a director, an editor and a camera guy walks into a bar and the bartender says, "hi Steve!"
Before Danny changes it😂
:)
I've watched all of The Knick at least twice since you mentioned it in the Aliens video.
Can't believe it didn't make a bigger impact when it came out
I had no idea he shot and edited it too. Makes sense why it’s the best tv show I’ve ever seen.
YESS vindicated! i told so many people about this show back when it aired! If no one else watches it, I'll be satisfied that you felt the same way!
Excellent reminder. Time for a rewatch
Happy New Year, Danny! I'll give this show a watch!
Thanks Danny! I haven't seen. Gonna watch it now!
The Knick is so good. I love period shows. I got to go back and watch that again
big Yes. Love your stuff Danny.
I still think about the fact that this show was canceled... a decade later, I still think about this show
this is by far the most underrated show ive ever seen, its so good
I found it accidentally last year and couldn't believe it wasn't promoted and awarded like one of the greatest series ever made, which it is.
You, sir, have a masterful cadence.
I remember being surprised when this show got canceled, never seen anything like it, love the directing style. Glad more people are talking about it.
I just began watching this AND saw the trailer for his new movie Presence. Spot on analysis of his camerawork and risk-taking
YAY I've been waiting for this! I loved this show so much! I read the book "The Butchering Art" by former RUclipsr Lindsey Fitzharris and it was soooo good. All about the real life surgeon that this show was based on. Very fascinating time to be alive, and it's rare to see films and shows placed in this moment. One movie is "Colette" with Keira Knightley. Both of these show very specific social movements at the turn of the 20th century. SUCH a good show!