Performance & Direction: Background Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Background (1973) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and Background features a noteworthy lineup led by Pat Connell .
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Background (1973) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: Background
Quick Plot Summary: Background is a Documentary, Animation film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Background
Ending Breakdown: Background attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to documentary resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Background reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Background?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Documentary films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Background
All Cast & Crew →Background Parents Guide & Age Rating
1973 AdvisoryWondering about Background age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Background is 20 minutes (20m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, Background is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1973 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Background worth watching?
Background is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Background parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Background identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Background?
The total duration of Background is 20 minutes, which is approximately 0h 20m long.
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How Background Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Background
Given I saw his "Pianissimo" (1963) a while back I should have expected something abstract from Carmen D'Avino. Well I got it, and I will readily acknowledge that I couldn't really make head nor tail to this amalgam of tinted images. It has a beginning and an end, but thereafter it's impossible to discern just what, if any, message he is trying to convey with this twenty minutes of random animation intercut with (some wartime) photographs all helped along by a score that would not have sounded out of place at a funfare. "Without purity, you're a dead duck" he informs us, but I struggled to find much evidence of purity (or ducks) here as it seemed to work itself into a self-perpetuating frenzy of colours and images. Maybe it's just too visually surreal for me, or maybe it's just emperor's new clothes for people to acclaim without having the faintest idea why. I would say watch it to see what you make of it, but like his work from a decade earlier, it made little sense to me and I found it a bit lengthy, too.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
