Les Blank

DirectorCinematographerActorEditorWriter Nov 27 (died age 77) Tampa, Florida, USA 1960–2025 (65 year career)

6.6 avg rating

Biography

Les Blank was an American documentary filmmaker best known for his portraits of American traditional musicians.

Known For

Film

Fitzcarraldo

Thanks

Film

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Camera Operator

Film

Burden of Dreams

Director

Film

Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

Cinematography

Film

The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

Director

Film

Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers

Director

Film

Always for Pleasure

Director

Film

The Arch

Editor

Filmography

Acting (8)

Movies (7)

Out in the Woods

2016

as Self

How To Smell A Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock at his Farm in Normandy

2014

as Self

4.8

Oh My God! It's Harrod Blank!

2008

as Self

Six Short Films of Les Blank (1960-1985)

1985

as Self

A Poem Is a Naked Person

1974

as Self

7.6

Running Around Like a Chicken With Its Head Cut Off

1960

4.5

Here Comes Everybody

1960

Television (1)

Screening Room

1972

as Himself

Crew (103)

Movies (102)

Motorcycle Moment

2025

Director

Tattoo Uprising

2019

Director of Photography

Thailand Moment

2015

Director

How To Smell A Rose: A Visit with Ricky Leacock at his Farm in Normandy

2014

Director

4.8

Treasure of the Lisu

2010

Editor

Treasure of the Lisu

2010

Story Consultant

All In This Tea

Director

Lagniappe

Director

Lagniappe

Director of Photography

4.2

The Maestro Rides Again

2005

Director

5.5

Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella

1995

Director

5.8

The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists

1995

Director

6.0

The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists

1995

Director of Photography

6.0

The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists

1995

Producer

6.0

My Old Fiddle: A Visit with Tommy Jarrell in the Blue Ridge

Director

Hole in the Soul

Camera Operator

Marc and Ann

Director

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

1991

Camera Operator

7.9

Julie: Old Time Tales of the Blue Ridge

1991

Director

6.2

Puamana

1991

Cinematography

Puamana

1991

Director

Innocents Abroad

Cinematography

Innocents Abroad

Director

Yum, Yum, Yum! A Taste of the Cajun and Creole Cooking of Louisiana

Director

I Went to the Dance

Director

I Went to the Dance

Director of Photography

7.5

Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

1988

Cinematography

6.9

Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

1988

Director

6.9

Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

1988

Producer

6.9

Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball

1988

Director

10.0

Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball

1988

Director of Photography

10.0

Živeli! Medicine for the Heart

1987

Director

Huey Lewis and the News: Before!

1987

Director

5.0

Huey Lewis and the News: Before!

1987

Producer

5.0

In the Land of the Owl Turds

1987

Producer

Gap-Toothed Women

1987

Director

6.7

Gap-Toothed Women

1987

Director of Photography

Gap-Toothed Women

Producer

Gap-Toothed Women

Writer

Six Short Films of Les Blank (1960-1985)

1985

Director

Cigarette Blues

Camera Operator

Cigarette Blues

Director

In Heaven There Is No Beer?

1984

Director

6.5

In Heaven There Is No Beer?

1984

Director of Photography

6.5

In Heaven There Is No Beer?

Producer

Sprout Wings and Fly

Director

Sprout Wings and Fly

Director of Photography

Fitzcarraldo

Thanks

Burden of Dreams

Director

Burden of Dreams

Director of Photography

7.5

Burden of Dreams

1982

Producer

7.5

Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers

1980

Director

7.5

Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers

1980

Director of Photography

7.5

Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers

1980

Producer

7.5

Poto and Cabengo

1980

Director of Photography

Del mero corazón

Additional Editor

Del mero corazón

Director

Del mero corazón

Director of Photography

Always for Pleasure

Director

Always for Pleasure

Director of Photography

Always for Pleasure

Editor

Always for Pleasure

Producer

Chulas Fronteras

Director

Chulas Fronteras

Editor

A Poem Is a Naked Person

1974

Director

7.6

A Poem Is a Naked Person

1974

Director of Photography

7.6

A Poem Is a Naked Person

1974

Editor

7.6

A Poem Is a Naked Person

Writer

Dry Wood

Director

Hot Pepper

Director

Spend It All

Cinematography

Spend It All

Director

Spend It All

Editor

The Ways of Water

Cinematography

The Ways of Water

1971

Director

Delusion of the Fury: A Ritual of Dream and Delusion

1971

Editor

A Well Spent Life

Cinematography

A Well Spent Life

Director

A Well Spent Life

Editor

Chicken Real

Director

The Arch

Editor

Mr. Charlie, Your Rollin’ Mill Is Burnin’ Down

1969

Director

8.0

Mr. Charlie, Your Rollin’ Mill Is Burnin’ Down

1969

Director of Photography

8.0

Mr. Charlie, Your Rollin’ Mill Is Burnin’ Down

1969

Producer

8.0

String Sounds

1969

"B" Camera Operator

The Sun's Gonna Shine

1969

Director

6.6

The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

1968

Director

7.8

The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

1968

Director of Photography

7.8

The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

1968

Producer

7.8

New Sounds in Music

1968

Camera Operator

Lightnin' Les

1968

Director

5.0

God Respects Us When We Work, But Loves Us When We Dance

1968

Director

5.5

Christopher Tree

1967

Director of Photography

Christopher Tree

1967

Editor

Seven Second Love Affair

1965

Director of Photography

Dizzy Gillespie

1965

Director

6.6

Pleasure Faire

1964

Director of Photography

And Freedom Came?!

1962

Director

Softball Umpire

1962

Director

Strike!

1961

Director

Running Around Like a Chicken With Its Head Cut Off

1960

Director

4.5

You Can't Squeeze Blood Out Of A Turnip

Director

Television (1)

POV

1988

Director

6.9