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"Visually stunning and totally engrossing...The program easily moves between realistic dramatizations, scenic outdoor footage, pans of bird prints, and interviews with authors, artists, and museum curators, who offer intriguing insight into the man who 'was a drama waiting to happen.' The artist's personal and professional life, including his failed struggles as a merchant who declared bankruptcy before temporarily leaving his family in 1820 on an epic quest to paint and identify all the birds in the U.S., are gloriously revealed in this riveting program that emphasizes Audubon's creative genius and lasting legacy." Booklist, Editors' Choice

"John James Audubon: Drawn From Nature explores Audubon's magnificent Birds of America in light of his riches-to-rags-to-riches life, a tale embellished and exploited by the artist himself. The film lingers over lush, crisp details that will impress even Audubon aficionados. In addition to the classics, we are treated to close views of some less familiar prints showing avian victims of human violence. Expert commentary provides a clear bridge between Audubon's indiscriminate "collecting" practices, his eventual witness to species' decline, and late nineteenth- century identification of the Audubon name with conservation. The film is especially valuable for explication of his technique: don't miss the special feature with contemporary artist Walton Ford's reenactment of Audubon's original working methods. Drawn From Nature is enlightening for the general public and it will prove a fine classroom resource sure to elicit serious discussion." Dr. Linda Dugan Partridge, Associate Professor, Art History, Marywood University

"This film offers an accurate, compelling, and thorough critical account of the life and career of nineteenth-century America's premier ornithologist and one of its most accomplished environmental artists and writers. The biography is remarkably comprehensive, yet not rushed. Audubon's achievements as an artist are clarified by the contrasting illustrations of Alexander Wilson, by the fluid movement from films of live birds to Audubon's paintings of the same species, and by the careful explanation of the painstaking processes of engraving, printing, and hand- coloring the plates of The Birds of America. The re-enactment by artist Walton Ford of Audubon's method of posing the birds he drew is especially welcome and helpful because it teaches us a greater appreciation of the art by deepening our understanding of Audubon's method. Also welcome is the considerable attention given to the importance of Lucy Audubon to her husband's life and work. By embracing the various paradoxes of Audubon's character, andby drawing appropriate parallels between the development of Audubon's thought and the rapidly changing environment in early America, this film succeeds in not oversimplifying a cultural moment of great cultural significance." Daniel Patterson, Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Department of English, Central Michigan University, Editor of Early American Nature Writers: A Biographical Encyclopedia

"This well produced biographical narrative provides one with an insightful and balanced portrayal about the paradoxical American artist, writer, publisher and promoter- John James Audubon. Visually beautiful and historically compelling, this film presents noteworthy information about the production of the 435 life-size print collection titled Birds of America, as well as the sacrifices Audubon made in order to fulfill his life long dream. This impressive film, Drawn From Nature, sheds light not only on Audubon's passionate dedication to the project but also presents a rich contextual background about art in the 19th century-a pre- photographic era when mechanical reproduction technology was very limited. I sincerely found it a relevant narrative and an educational documentary." Elaine A. King, Professor, History of Art, Theory and Museum Studies, Carnegie Mellon University

"The writing, production, and presentation is first-rate. The recounting of Audubon's life, particularly in the context of America's adolescence and westward expansion, is stirring and evocative. This title is highly recommended for academic, public and school library collections." Christopher Hollister, University at Buffalo Libraries, State University of New York, Educational Media Reviews Online

"A visual feast, combining exquisite nature footage with a graceful appreciation of Audubon's artwork...An exceptional film about an exceptional man, this is highly recommended." Video Librarian, Editor's Choice

"This documentary profiles a man who was larger than life, providing beautiful detail of Audubon's artwork as well as a portrait of the states of art, science and environmental awareness in the first decades of the 19th century. The environmental legacy of our forefathers and Audubon's impact on the conservation movement of today are also examined." Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital Program

"The life of great American nature artist Audubon, born the bastard child of a French sea captain and a Haitian servant girl, was a study in contradictions as he took great pains to hide his shameful origins even as he was rigorously devoted to exquisitely truthful detail in his art. An engaging and extravagant personality..." Critic's Choice, Henrietta Walmark, The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

"The person that emerges here is an appealing and fascinating character." Nancy Dewolf Smith, The Wall Street Journal

"Reveals a larger-than-life character who reflects both the promise and excess of the young American nation." Kevin McDonough, United Features Syndicate

"Completely absorbing...looks at a genius we've come to take for granted, and restores wonder and drama to a remarkable life." Joanne Weintraub, Milwaukee Sentinel Journal

"Eye-opening...fascinating...Audubon left behind a stunning visual legacy that, in filmmaker Lawrence Hott's words, opened 'a window onto a time and place that otherwise would be lost to us.'" Alex Strachan, Regina Leader-Post

""Audubon" demonstrates what was so great about Audubon's accomplishment." Ken Mahar, The Oregonian

"While many people are familiar with John James Audubon's remarkable series of paintings Birds of America, his 'American Masters' biography, 'Drawn From Nature,' reveals a larger-than-life character who reflects both the promise and excess of the young American nation." Times Union

"It's a great story, beautifully told." Gannett News Service

"Drawn From Nature delivers lessons truly worth applying to your own life, like try stepping into nature and taking a good look; or, if at first you don't succeed, sail to England and see if they'll publish your book; or, take care to notice and record every intricate detail of the natural world around you, because it will look quite different in a century." Plenty Magazine

"Absorbing...A spectacular DVD film...Highly recommended, especially for public school and library collections." The Midwest Book Review