I can’t tell you how thrilled I am when little gems come across my desk that I’ve never heard of. Recently I had the opportunity to watch a little-known documentary co-directed by Peter Jackson back in 1995. Just the fact that Jackson had anything to do with it was enough to pique my interest. I’ve been a huge fan of the New Zealander’s work since his “Bad Taste” days. Though as big a fan of I am of his earlier films, it still floors me that he directed the massively perfect “Lord of the Rings” films. The documentary was called “Forgotten Silver” and it told the story of the discovery of a New Zealand filmmaker, whose lost work from the turn of the century proved him to be a director of note. Photographs and old film footage was pieced together to tell the story of the life of Colin McKenzie, who according to film critic Leonard Maltin deserved to be counted amongst the greatest directors who ever lived. He was an innovator, having learned how to create his own film stock as well as inventing a steam powered movie camera.

He is also credited with creating some the earliest tracking shots by strapping a camera to the front of a bicycle, making the very first sound pictures, and even proving that the Wright Brother were not necessarily the first to take flight.

The documentary was aired in New Zealand and found a large audience. The people of New Zealand had a new hero and film teachers started making claims that they had known about McKenzie for years. The problem was… three days after it aired it was admitted that the documentary was actually… a mockumentary.

That’s right, it wasn’t real. Jackson, along with co-director Costa Botes set out to make a short film and nothing more. But then it escalated into what eventually became “Forgotten Silver.” Some viewers were furious that the mockumentary was aired on a channel known for quality educational entertainment, while others got the joke.

Anchor Bay Entertainment recently released “Forgotten Silver” and I absolutely loved it. A part of me wish I hadn’t know it was fake going in, that way the clues that were shown wouldn’t have seemed so obvious. Real or not, the film is extremely well made and the ‘archival footage’ looks perfect. McKenzie’s story is enthralling, as is Jackson’s mission to unearth the ‘lost set of Salome.’

The extra features are as good as the feature itself and come complete with a commentary by Botes (though I wish Jackson had been a part of it. There’s also a lengthy ‘Making of’ featurette with does include a lot of interview footage with Jackson. You are also given the chance to see how some of the fake archival footage was created. Add in a few deleted scenes and you’ve got a well-rounded DVD release.

I highly recommend “Forgotten Silver” to any and all Peter Jackson fans, as well as anyone who celebrates the art of making films (and enjoys a good joke!).

Directed by: Peter Jackson, Costa Botes
Extras: Audio Commentary with Co-Director Costa Botes, “Behind the Bull - Forgotten Silver”, Deleted Scenes
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Release Date: 10/26/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Forgotten Silver an A.