From the Maysles Brothers (Gimme Shelter, Monterey Pop, When We Were Kings) comes this unsettling portrait of door-to-door salesmen. In this case, the film is especially interesting since they're selling Bibles to Catholic families. All the sales tricks are there, with a special dose of guilt. Most interesting is the portrayal of Paul, one of the older salesmen, who is realizing he may have "lost it." His desperation is painful to watch. (9/ 10)
48 Reviews
A time capsule
GethinVanH30 September 2009
A 1969 documentary about a group of salesman selling bibles to the masses. It's probably most interesting because you see how people lived and worked 40 years ago. The salesmen themselves are interesting but so are the people they meet. Of course they use every trick in their book to sell their bibles ("Did I tell you I'm an Irish catholic?"). Very interesting to see how these men worked in a job which is now very much gone. Alone on the road they share their misery and failings with their fellow salesmen who yawn and offer some half-hearted advice.
Salesman is a real version Glengary Glen Ross 25 years before that movie was made. What we have here is a time capsule of 1969. The decorations in the homes, the clothing, the cars, the way they talk, it's all pretty dated by today's standards. But it's interesting to see how people lived in 1969.
Salesman is a real version Glengary Glen Ross 25 years before that movie was made. What we have here is a time capsule of 1969. The decorations in the homes, the clothing, the cars, the way they talk, it's all pretty dated by today's standards. But it's interesting to see how people lived in 1969.
Death of a Salesman meets Glengarry Glen Ross
FilmOtaku19 December 2004
Documentaries are a fairly pervasive genre in today's culture, and an increasing trend is to manipulate the footage in order to further the authentication of one's thesis. Albert and David Maysles' 1969 documentary 'Salesman' however, turns an unflinching eye on its' subjects, sometimes with unnerving and disturbing results.
'Salesman' follows four door-to-door high-end bible salesmen as they travel around the country. The four men have nicknames they've given each other, all describing their sales approach: The Rabbit, The Badger, The Gipper and The Bull. We hear most from The Badger (Paul Brennan) as he takes his leads and tries to pull himself out of a sales slump. The leads that most of the salesmen follow end up being poor Catholic families who can't even afford a dollar a week payment, but are at times talked into it anyway by the sales tactics these men employ.
The Maysles give us an absolutely fascinating look at the world of door-to-door sales, but it is also a disturbing door to open. The pressure that the salesmen use when trying to sell the product, and the struggle that the prospects exhibit, is difficult to watch. In one scene, Brennan goes to the door of a recent customer to pick up their down payment for another of the salesmen and pretty much refuses to take 'No' for an answer, telling her that he's the salesman's boss and is going to have to dock him a fee if she cancels the sale, eventually guilting this family who clearly cannot take on another installment payment into going on with the sale. On the other hand, we also see sales meetings where the pressure is turned on the salesmen themselves, so it's clear that the threats of unemployment are a definite motivator.
I wondered throughout the film if David Mamet had seen this film and subsequently used it as inspiration for 'Glengarry Glen Ross'. From the sales meeting where the manager threatens the salesmen to the characters themselves, I saw several clear comparisons. Brennan is Lemmon's 'Shel' character to a tee, and I subsequently couldn't help chuckling at the image of The Simpsons' character 'Gil'. Whatever specific inspiration 'Salesman' has provided, it is clearly an important film that does not soften its edges. 7/10
'Salesman' follows four door-to-door high-end bible salesmen as they travel around the country. The four men have nicknames they've given each other, all describing their sales approach: The Rabbit, The Badger, The Gipper and The Bull. We hear most from The Badger (Paul Brennan) as he takes his leads and tries to pull himself out of a sales slump. The leads that most of the salesmen follow end up being poor Catholic families who can't even afford a dollar a week payment, but are at times talked into it anyway by the sales tactics these men employ.
The Maysles give us an absolutely fascinating look at the world of door-to-door sales, but it is also a disturbing door to open. The pressure that the salesmen use when trying to sell the product, and the struggle that the prospects exhibit, is difficult to watch. In one scene, Brennan goes to the door of a recent customer to pick up their down payment for another of the salesmen and pretty much refuses to take 'No' for an answer, telling her that he's the salesman's boss and is going to have to dock him a fee if she cancels the sale, eventually guilting this family who clearly cannot take on another installment payment into going on with the sale. On the other hand, we also see sales meetings where the pressure is turned on the salesmen themselves, so it's clear that the threats of unemployment are a definite motivator.
I wondered throughout the film if David Mamet had seen this film and subsequently used it as inspiration for 'Glengarry Glen Ross'. From the sales meeting where the manager threatens the salesmen to the characters themselves, I saw several clear comparisons. Brennan is Lemmon's 'Shel' character to a tee, and I subsequently couldn't help chuckling at the image of The Simpsons' character 'Gil'. Whatever specific inspiration 'Salesman' has provided, it is clearly an important film that does not soften its edges. 7/10
Searing and unforgettable
kev-228 February 1999
As with Frederick Wiseman's "Titicut Follies," the Maysles brothers' "Salesman" is truly a landmark for the "cinema verite" documentary movement of the 1960s. Although the former is shockingly realistic in a sensational way, "Salesman" is actually the more disturbing for showing the Hell-on-earth that marks the workaday world for most of humanity. If ever a film shows that most people "lead lives of quiet desperation," this is it. In my lifetime of viewing films, I've never seen a non-fiction film more affecting and poignant. That this film didn't make the AFI Top 100 is practically scandalous. Be forewarned, this is an oppressively sad, yet slyly funny, film that is not easy to watch. It speaks volumes about American business practices, the ties between business and organized religion, the exploitation of religious belief (and its perversion via materialism), the dehumanization of workers, the crushing wisdom that can come with aging, the scary mindset of suburban denizens, and a lot more. If ever anyone had the right to ask the question, "Is that all there is?" it would be Paul, an aging Bible salesman having trouble meeting his sales quota, who serves as the film's central character. The film is brutally honest, yet powerfully manipulative. It does beg the question: how much is real and how much is affected by the presence of the cameras? One does feel, after seeing this, that reality is just as bad as Dorothy Parker said it was. For those who fail, the American Dream is a nightmare. In short, a film you'll never forget.
Moving Tribute to Door to Door Salesmen from the Past
johnmbale2 June 2006
This interesting documentary is like a time capsule. Bringing to life the late 1960's, in a sometimes unsettling manner. It tells the story of a group of door to door Irish/American salesmen, selling Bibles in Boston and Florida. It is fascinating to watch the actual sales pitch, the manners and way we were at that time. (Smoking was certainly the order of the day) The growing desperation of one of the older salesmen as his sales figures slump, is quite as moving as in the play "Death of a Salesman". Anyone who has ever been involved is selling direct to the public should make this compulsive viewing. The documentary technique is also exceptional. There is not a word of commentary, introduction, or the usual "talking head" interviews that slow so many of todays TV documentaries. The characters themselves, and clever editing clearly tell the story and create the a raw drama. Camera work is remarkable for the time too, the subjects never seem to be aware of the filming process, unlike much Reality TV. This is a true American Tragedy, reflecting the loneliness of old time salesmen, and indeed that of many people with whom they deal. It is a credit to the Maysles.
Brilliant
Judge808028 May 2005
Salesman(1969) Quite possibly the best documentary ever made. The Maysles' Brothers( Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens) mesmerizing story follows four bible salesmen pounding the turf selling over priced bibles to poor catholics and the tactics that they use to pull off these sales.One salesman in particular, Paul "the Badger' Brennan is the central character of the documentary and it is heart wrenching to watch his decline from a once successful salesman to an also-ran whose heart and soul just aren't into it anymore. One unforgettable scene has another salesman humiliating Brennan in front of a customer. This documentary is a real slice of Americana and a film worth watching time and time again.
An Inside look of working-class America in the post-Kennedy era
ironhorse_iv11 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Like the salesman in this film, this movie is also a hard sale to the normal audience. It's also hard to find. Unless you happen to catch the film on TCM or a really old library. You might not know of this movie. It's really hard film to watch, its moves really slowed and nothing about it really states out in my opinion. There is no voice over, no music cues, or no title card to tell us what is happening, just a film shot and cut on 16mm about people doing their job. It's feels like a low budget Mad Men episode with bad filming in some scenes. One of the two cameras used can be seen in shot in the film. The hand-held microphone used to record the film's sound is visible in other shots. The film also get flipped horizontally, as evidenced by the parts in the men's clothes and hairs standing in a weird direction. It's weird in a way, and shows how limited they were in filming. Cloud of smoke from the chain-smoking and whiskey drinking that becomes a measure of the characters' empty lives. The Maysles Bros. did a wonderful job with this film as it follows four salesmen (nicknamed the Badger, the Gipper, the Rabbit, and the Bull, based on their particular on-the-job attributes) from Boston to Florida as they struggle to sell lavishly illustrated Bibles to reluctant, blue-collar customers as desperate to keep their money as the salesmen are to take it. The film mostly focuses on the anguished plight of Paul "the Badger" Brennan, an aging Boston-Irish veteran of the salesman circuit, weary of his job and unable to hide his exhaustion from customers and colleagues alike. He always talk in bizarre rants full of mumbles complains. Surprising there isn't a lot of action in the film. By action, I meant, we don't see really mean, or crazy people, the salesman has to dealt with. There is little amounts of scenes with people closing doors on them. Most of the customers, are respectable, and seem normal who gives the salesman the time to pitch what they are selling before saying no. So unlike today's society, where if you walk to somebody's front door, you're more like get a slam onto your face, before you finish a sentence. Anyways, we hear about most of how the sale went in the film's many dreary motel rooms scenes rather than seeing it in person. The film makes it clear, however, that the salesman are also under enormous pressure by their boorish boss. 'The next man that gets off base with me, I"m gonna tag him out'. He is quoted to be saying to them. He's the boss that every man probably doesn't want to have. In my opinion, spreading the good word of the lord should be free and I find it funny that these salesmen is using people's beliefs to make an extra buck. Reminds me a bit of fake shepherds tempting and scamming people to buy their way into heaven. I would also like to hear more about the struggle of being away from home and family for long periods of time, but what he heard are talks about boring lingos. At less, there was a small scene in the middle where the men decide to go swimming to give us something new. Like door to door salesmen over the years, got replace by amazon and Ebay so has Cinema Verite fallen out of vogue, replaced by filmmakers telling stories rather than showing them. This movie isn't for everybody, but if you happen to find it. Give it a watch.
A timeless film about the dual enemies of aging and failure
AlsExGal26 May 2014
This film is about the trials and tribulations of four door-to-door Bible salesmen in 1968, on the eve of when their occupation was about to become extinct. Of course, the filmmakers could not know that at the time, but this fact is what adds to the sadness of this film today. The salesmen are four New Englanders named Paul "The Badger" Brennan, James "The Rabbit" Baker, "The Bull" and "The Gipper", their nicknames being derived from their individual sales tactics. Despite the holiness of their products, this really is a cutthroat business, as is made evident in some of the sales meetings that are shown. The main character, "The Badger", reminds me of Jack Lemmon's character in Glengarry Glen Ross. Life - and his profession - have beaten him down, and none of his sales pitches are working as he talks to one indifferent potential customer after another. These guys are always looking for a new angle to make the sale, but usually just about everything they come up with is not successful. Remember, this was in the days when people were unafraid to open their doors to strangers, and equally unafraid to be rude to them. The film not only makes you feel what these unsuccessful salesmen are feeling, it a time capsule for the end of the '60s, and a portrait of an occupation that doesn't really exist anymore due to telemarketing, Internet sales, two-income families meaning nobody is home during the day, and finally the fact that adult strangers on your doorstep are assumed to be potential criminals.
Paul Brennan really seems to have the saddest story of the four. His sales are dwindling, and he is really too old to start over in another occupation. Paul's sales become so poor that at one point that he is partnered with a more aggressive salesman so Paul can observe his technique in the hope that something will rub off on Paul. This younger, sharper salesman, who obviously has not yet developed a tolerance for human frailty, is constantly snapping at Paul for his poor technique and unenthusiastic delivery. If you're an older person who has ever worked for a younger one, you know what I'm talking about. As sorry as you may feel for him though, when we see Paul using the possibly superstitious beliefs of his customers to get them to buy products they may not be able to afford, you have mixed feelings about the man. Is Paul purely being manipulative, or is he resorting to desperate means to survive? Probably a little bit of both is true. Paul realizes that his time as a salesman is coming to a close, and it's not like he has a big bank account to fall back on. Such career struggles are expected when you are in your 20's, but by the time you are Paul's age you are expecting something more...more job stability, more respect, more financial security.
The film does add some humor throughout the film to keep the viewing experience from being too much like a funeral for both Paul's career and the profession of door-to-door salesman itself. Sometimes the salesmen lighten up and even have some camaraderie in their conversations. Sometimes there is a funny remark from the "no sale" Boston housewives the salesmen encounter, and sometimes there are even funnier remarks from the salesmen as they leave a house where they've been refused. There's also an episode in a hotel pool in the middle of the night that is rather humorous.
I'd say that even though the film has a very dated look to it, you should watch it because what it has to say about the human spirit, aging ungracefully, choosing the wrong career, and then failing at that career is timeless.
Paul Brennan really seems to have the saddest story of the four. His sales are dwindling, and he is really too old to start over in another occupation. Paul's sales become so poor that at one point that he is partnered with a more aggressive salesman so Paul can observe his technique in the hope that something will rub off on Paul. This younger, sharper salesman, who obviously has not yet developed a tolerance for human frailty, is constantly snapping at Paul for his poor technique and unenthusiastic delivery. If you're an older person who has ever worked for a younger one, you know what I'm talking about. As sorry as you may feel for him though, when we see Paul using the possibly superstitious beliefs of his customers to get them to buy products they may not be able to afford, you have mixed feelings about the man. Is Paul purely being manipulative, or is he resorting to desperate means to survive? Probably a little bit of both is true. Paul realizes that his time as a salesman is coming to a close, and it's not like he has a big bank account to fall back on. Such career struggles are expected when you are in your 20's, but by the time you are Paul's age you are expecting something more...more job stability, more respect, more financial security.
The film does add some humor throughout the film to keep the viewing experience from being too much like a funeral for both Paul's career and the profession of door-to-door salesman itself. Sometimes the salesmen lighten up and even have some camaraderie in their conversations. Sometimes there is a funny remark from the "no sale" Boston housewives the salesmen encounter, and sometimes there are even funnier remarks from the salesmen as they leave a house where they've been refused. There's also an episode in a hotel pool in the middle of the night that is rather humorous.
I'd say that even though the film has a very dated look to it, you should watch it because what it has to say about the human spirit, aging ungracefully, choosing the wrong career, and then failing at that career is timeless.
These Guys Are Selling Bibles?
gavin69425 June 2016
Four relentless door-to-door salesmen deal with constant rejection, homesickness and inevitable burnout as they go across the country selling very expensive bibles to low-income Catholic families.
The Maysles brothers decided they wanted to be the first to make a nonfiction feature film (which turned out to be "Salesman") after learning that Truman Capote had made the claim that his newly released book "In Cold Blood" was a nonfiction novel. The film was made on a low budget; just under seven minutes into the film, one of the two cameras used can be seen in the shot. The hand-held microphone used to record the film's sound is visible in other shots.
When Salesman was completed, there were challenges in showing the film. As the Maysles brothers tried to get distribution, they were told that the content was too depressing and realistic for the public. Indeed, there are depressing aspects. But even more, this tells me two things: one, it is no surprise that door-to-door salesmen have died out, because this approach is pretty awful, forcing people to purchase something they do not want and cannot afford.
But what is even stranger is the sale of the Bible. $40 for a Bible in the 1960s? I feel like any corner bookstore would have sold one for under $5 easily, and didn't most people already own one? And then you see these men interacting away from customers, and they are rather coarse men, not what you might call the most principled Christians. Is this right? Pushing of the Bible by people who clearly are not strict adherents?
The Maysles brothers decided they wanted to be the first to make a nonfiction feature film (which turned out to be "Salesman") after learning that Truman Capote had made the claim that his newly released book "In Cold Blood" was a nonfiction novel. The film was made on a low budget; just under seven minutes into the film, one of the two cameras used can be seen in the shot. The hand-held microphone used to record the film's sound is visible in other shots.
When Salesman was completed, there were challenges in showing the film. As the Maysles brothers tried to get distribution, they were told that the content was too depressing and realistic for the public. Indeed, there are depressing aspects. But even more, this tells me two things: one, it is no surprise that door-to-door salesmen have died out, because this approach is pretty awful, forcing people to purchase something they do not want and cannot afford.
But what is even stranger is the sale of the Bible. $40 for a Bible in the 1960s? I feel like any corner bookstore would have sold one for under $5 easily, and didn't most people already own one? And then you see these men interacting away from customers, and they are rather coarse men, not what you might call the most principled Christians. Is this right? Pushing of the Bible by people who clearly are not strict adherents?
Understated realism.
mrbombastic712 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is a wonderful film; understated, beautifully crafted and, as a result, extremely powerful.
Perhaps its striking quality is the way in which it even-handedly juxtaposes both the often ruthless patter of the men - directed usually at families who can ill-afford such a purchase - with the very human motives behind it. The sparkling charm of Paul Brennan at the beginning make his increasing desperation at failing to make a sell all the more poignant and painful to behold.
A great piece of social realism, a slice of American life in the 1960s, but more than that, a touching depiction of an element of the human condition.
Perhaps its striking quality is the way in which it even-handedly juxtaposes both the often ruthless patter of the men - directed usually at families who can ill-afford such a purchase - with the very human motives behind it. The sparkling charm of Paul Brennan at the beginning make his increasing desperation at failing to make a sell all the more poignant and painful to behold.
A great piece of social realism, a slice of American life in the 1960s, but more than that, a touching depiction of an element of the human condition.
Direct Cinema and the discomfort of real events
Polaris_DiB24 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
he Maysles brothers depict what it's like to be in the middle of an uncomfortable salesman situation from both sides, over and over and over and over again. In the meantime, they explore the nature of salesmanship, it's ties with the American Dream, and also the irony of being a Bible salesman and a Catholic. It's good, but it's not really pleasant viewing anyway you stretch it, and for anyone who's been a salesman or had to deal with them (i.e., the majority of everybody), it brings up some bad memories.
As a movie made under the Maysles' "direct cinema" approach, it's very successful: finding a narrative in the real-life records, making a nonfiction that doesn't call itself documentary. This movie is certainly a very interesting exploration of editing and form, especially as concerns the scene of traveling on the train, where the two brothers literally put thoughts into the character's head via flashbacks.
--PolarisDiB
As a movie made under the Maysles' "direct cinema" approach, it's very successful: finding a narrative in the real-life records, making a nonfiction that doesn't call itself documentary. This movie is certainly a very interesting exploration of editing and form, especially as concerns the scene of traveling on the train, where the two brothers literally put thoughts into the character's head via flashbacks.
--PolarisDiB
Quiet desperation more relative to many occupations than we'd care to admit.
mashekd5 July 2012
'Salesman" is a stark reminder of the evolution of the modern documentary. As a viewer I did not feel manipulated by the editing or the filmmaker's ego or perspective. The film is a historical recording of an occupation from a by gone era that promised all the perks of the American Dream while leaving many that chose it for their career living lives of quiet desperation, poor and void of any significant contribution to society.
One of the thoughts this film left me with was how many occupations in twenty-first century America are sales dependent. Selling oneself, an idea, candidate, lifestyle, fill in the blank for an alternative to "bible." Pounding the proverbial pavement to pay the mortgage with little regard to the negative impact ones profession may have on society or nameless, faceless individuals. In today's world fortunes are made as life coaches, motivational speakers, politics, infomercials, winning American Idol, all variations of selling something to a consumer society that can ill afford the debt.
"Salesman" is a timeless film and a brilliant reminder of the origins of the documentary.
One of the thoughts this film left me with was how many occupations in twenty-first century America are sales dependent. Selling oneself, an idea, candidate, lifestyle, fill in the blank for an alternative to "bible." Pounding the proverbial pavement to pay the mortgage with little regard to the negative impact ones profession may have on society or nameless, faceless individuals. In today's world fortunes are made as life coaches, motivational speakers, politics, infomercials, winning American Idol, all variations of selling something to a consumer society that can ill afford the debt.
"Salesman" is a timeless film and a brilliant reminder of the origins of the documentary.
A window into the business of religion
gbill-748771 December 2020
As an exposé of the business aspects of religion and how squeezing money out of believers becomes the priority instead of spiritual teaching, this documentary really delivers, and it does so dispassionately, showing the salesmen out on calls and then regrouping back at the hotel each night. However, I have to say, it was a little unpleasant to watch and that affected my score a bit. These guys could be selling anything in theory, but the fact that they introduce themselves as being from the church, prey on people's faith, and put the screws to the poor and the elderly is disgusting. I dislike high pressure salespeople to begin with, and this seems particularly insidious - $50 in 1967 (when it was filmed) is $390 in 2020, certainly a major purchase. Can you imagine asking men in suits into your home because they're "from the church" and have your name, and then politely listen to a sales pitch that gets personal and is constantly trying to back you into a corner?
The salesmen have nicknames for each other like "The Badger" and "The Bull," and I thought some of their poor victims may have well been named "The Sheep" - but mercifully many stand up to them, often because they simply can't afford it. I certainly didn't care for the salesmen so seeing them calling their wives, jumping in the pool, driving around lost, and getting despondent over lower sales in Florida wasn't all that interesting to me, though seeing them curse and gamble showed they're not exactly holy men. Perhaps I would have liked it more if the directors had asked some tough questions of these guys or their bosses, or followed up in some of the families stuck with payments due. It does provide a window into Bible salesmen and it's worth seeing for that.
The salesmen have nicknames for each other like "The Badger" and "The Bull," and I thought some of their poor victims may have well been named "The Sheep" - but mercifully many stand up to them, often because they simply can't afford it. I certainly didn't care for the salesmen so seeing them calling their wives, jumping in the pool, driving around lost, and getting despondent over lower sales in Florida wasn't all that interesting to me, though seeing them curse and gamble showed they're not exactly holy men. Perhaps I would have liked it more if the directors had asked some tough questions of these guys or their bosses, or followed up in some of the families stuck with payments due. It does provide a window into Bible salesmen and it's worth seeing for that.
Great Idea, Poor Execution
survivalist-810-69871119 February 2014
I found this movie to be in desperate need of narration and editing.
I don't think there's a single scene that lasts more than 2 minutes, so you have a bunch of short moments all over the place - salesman in car, salesman in someone's home, salesman in meeting, etc.
But there's no real narrative to the story. It's just moments, and a string of moments doesn't make a movie.
The makers should have picked one man and followed him, given us some background, etc. Instead there are many faces and it's hard to remember one from the other. There is no start, middle, or end to the story - just a bunch of short scenes and then we're done. So what was the point?
They should have introduced these men, told us their challenges, interviewed them and let them speak to the camera, etc. Some men were fired, we're told in passing - why? Poor sales? How about taking one guy who's on the bubble and following his story?
Just boring. The "moments of desperation" are kind of meaningless because we don't know the people.
I really wanted to like this movie but it's a mess.
I don't think there's a single scene that lasts more than 2 minutes, so you have a bunch of short moments all over the place - salesman in car, salesman in someone's home, salesman in meeting, etc.
But there's no real narrative to the story. It's just moments, and a string of moments doesn't make a movie.
The makers should have picked one man and followed him, given us some background, etc. Instead there are many faces and it's hard to remember one from the other. There is no start, middle, or end to the story - just a bunch of short scenes and then we're done. So what was the point?
They should have introduced these men, told us their challenges, interviewed them and let them speak to the camera, etc. Some men were fired, we're told in passing - why? Poor sales? How about taking one guy who's on the bubble and following his story?
Just boring. The "moments of desperation" are kind of meaningless because we don't know the people.
I really wanted to like this movie but it's a mess.
Essential
ametaphysicalshark30 April 2008
"Salesman" isn't quite the Maysles Bros.' (and Charlotte Zwerin's) crowning achievement, although it comes close. I personally feel that "Gimme Shelter" is their best film, but that might have something to do with it being a more enjoyable, if still harrowing film. "Salesman" is an uncomfortable examination of human emotions, and provokes a strong reaction of guilt and sympathy. Some may insist that a documentary has to be somewhat relevant to have any real value, but "Salesman", a film on the lives of door-to-door salesmen, the product of a mostly by-gone era, is pure contradiction of this claim.
A landmark 'cinema verite' film, "Salesman" does not feature any sort of narration or writing, allowing the viewer to take the images presented in the film and interpret them as they wish. There are statements that the Maysles Bros. are probably trying to make with this film, statements about suburbia, statements about the ties between business and organized religion, and more, but the beauty of the film is that it is up to you if you see this in the film or not, because really it is simply a document of an average day for a salesman at the time.
"Salesman" is funny in parts, but taken as a whole it is one of the saddest films you will ever see, a document of the quiet desperation of this lifestyle. The directors of the film make powerful statements, but do so subtly, almost unobtrusively, allowing the viewer to fully engage themselves in the almost routine feel of the film. It is a crime that, despite its strong reputation, relatively few people have seen this essential film from possibly the very best documentary filmmakers there have ever been.
10/10
A landmark 'cinema verite' film, "Salesman" does not feature any sort of narration or writing, allowing the viewer to take the images presented in the film and interpret them as they wish. There are statements that the Maysles Bros. are probably trying to make with this film, statements about suburbia, statements about the ties between business and organized religion, and more, but the beauty of the film is that it is up to you if you see this in the film or not, because really it is simply a document of an average day for a salesman at the time.
"Salesman" is funny in parts, but taken as a whole it is one of the saddest films you will ever see, a document of the quiet desperation of this lifestyle. The directors of the film make powerful statements, but do so subtly, almost unobtrusively, allowing the viewer to fully engage themselves in the almost routine feel of the film. It is a crime that, despite its strong reputation, relatively few people have seen this essential film from possibly the very best documentary filmmakers there have ever been.
10/10
A Classic Documentary
Scroobious22 July 2010
This is a great documentary by two of the greatest filmmakers in that genre. If you want the premise, the title says it all, yet there is so much substance to this documentary that at the same time, the title tells you very little.
I could say that this movie is about greater topics such as work, or morality or character, but one of the best things about the Maysles style is that these decisions are left up to the viewer. So, yes, it's basically about door-to-door bible salesman, but the rest is for you to see.
Commonly in modern documentaries (ie. Moore) the filmmaker quite literally filters the story and tells you what to think by narrating it, or even worse putting themselves in the movie. But the Maysles document the subject, without contaminating it. And this is a prime example of that style. Highly recommend it.
I could say that this movie is about greater topics such as work, or morality or character, but one of the best things about the Maysles style is that these decisions are left up to the viewer. So, yes, it's basically about door-to-door bible salesman, but the rest is for you to see.
Commonly in modern documentaries (ie. Moore) the filmmaker quite literally filters the story and tells you what to think by narrating it, or even worse putting themselves in the movie. But the Maysles document the subject, without contaminating it. And this is a prime example of that style. Highly recommend it.
The Real Life of the Door to Door Salesman
atlasmb14 May 2014
"Salesman" documents the activities of Bible salesmen as they go on the road to sell their wares to "leads" garnered from Catholic churches. It's a tough life, especially when many prospects cannot afford the cost of these illustrated Bibles.
It is difficult not to compare this film to Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross". It details the hardships and humiliations of men who earn their egos through sales. Anyone who has ever sold a product door to door can relate to this film.
The transparent sales techniques. The smug sales aphorisms. The roller-coaster ride from day to day. It is all there.
It is easy to draw conclusions or morals from this documentary. The most obvious refers to the soul-sucking depression that comes from spending your life doing something you do not enjoy or believe in.
As a time capsule of life in the late 60s, the film is enjoyable. Seeing everyone smoking cigarettes nonstop, for example, is a reminder of how things have changed.
It is difficult not to compare this film to Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross". It details the hardships and humiliations of men who earn their egos through sales. Anyone who has ever sold a product door to door can relate to this film.
The transparent sales techniques. The smug sales aphorisms. The roller-coaster ride from day to day. It is all there.
It is easy to draw conclusions or morals from this documentary. The most obvious refers to the soul-sucking depression that comes from spending your life doing something you do not enjoy or believe in.
As a time capsule of life in the late 60s, the film is enjoyable. Seeing everyone smoking cigarettes nonstop, for example, is a reminder of how things have changed.
A grim and unflinching look at the forlorn Salesman
imbluzclooby30 March 2016
Having faced burnout on the Sales profession myself I decided to Google any good films about the subject. I happened upon this forgotten gem that showed up on a "Top Ten List" of the topic in question. A Youtube channel had it available for free watching and watched I did without interruption. The only people who may find this subject matter interesting are Salesmen, would be salesman and maybe those who are close to a salesman. Otherwise, this documentary may be an excruciating bore to others. We have four characters presented to us who are all haggard, middle aged men trying to hustle a buck for a fancy Bible. The Bible is a publication from the Mid-American Church and is the identifying brand for Church members and Catholics to keep and cherish as a family heirloom and perpetuity. This is what the Sales force is hoping to accomplish by selling these fancy Bibles to low income households. What we learn in these pieces is that Poor people in rural settings are the most susceptible to easy pickings and small time marketing. While the more affluent households are less receptive and harder to sell to. This point is touched upon briefly by one of the fellow salesman, The Gipper, on the team. If anyone has ever worked extensively in sales they can relate to this sad and sardonic fact of American life. But the movie's focus is much more than revealing smarmy sales tactics and cheap cajoling. It explicitly shows how depressing and monotonous the life of a Door to Door salesman is, a profession that has nearly gone obsolete in recent years. These salesmen are matured. The four men are between the ages of 40 and 60, Paul the badger being the eldest, most experienced and least likely to succeed. We see jaded and grown men in suits shuffling around tacky hotel banquet rooms, sharing dingy motel rooms, attending unpleasant sales rallies, enacting the annoying role play scenarios and driving in their rented cars from house to house. Sales is a sad and meaningless profession that is soul-sucking for these men. To add injury to insult we see these same men being emasculated by a boorish and corpulent sales manager, the schoolyard bully who takes pleasure in insulting and condescending his team due to their unsatisfying sales results. Some of us have been there and have witnessed first hand the repugnant confrontations by such people in pep rallies, sales conferences and one-on-one meetings. The quiet desperation seen in these men's faces is palpable and difficult to watch for those who can relate. The cynical hope of making some money or just a meager living is what drives these men to get up every morning. But that hope has dwindled for Paul, the badger, who realizes the waste, futility and hopelessness of his career choice. This is Willy Loman all over again. Paul is presented as the central character that anchors this downbeat story. The overall tone is depressing, even though there are brief moments of sardonic humor. James, the rabbit, comes off as an awkward and goofy sales man yet is still more energetic than Paul. The Gipper is a resilient straight- man who presses forward in his work without getting down. The Bull is the best of the four and even as he comes off as smooth and persuasive in his sales methods, We witness his inability to persuade and win over a couple of people. The Mayslie Brothers are making a statement about the tragedy of how the American Dream has alluded some people. What better way to reveal that debacle than showing us a day in the lives of four traveling Bible salesman? It's brilliant, because it is so real. The camera takes a fly on the wall approach as it focuses on the subjects in their homes. People seem unaware or clueless that the camera is rolling and don't seem affected by it. Unlike reality TV today, this is not fake and the homeowners seem completely detached from wishes to have their fifteen minutes of fame. It's like candid camera where people back in the 60's didn't grasp the concept of how media is alluring. The subject matter is presented so plainly that we see how both the salesman and their targets are victimized. Paying $49.95 for a Bible in monthly installments seems trivial by today's economy, but in the sixties it was quite a sum for lower income folk who most likely didn't qualify and would end up delinquent in their accounts.
This documentary is certainly not enjoyable and has the appeal of morbid curiosity. It is a footnote in a bygone era where certain sales models have dwindled. Even though they didn't have the technology of GPS tracking systems and CRM's to aide in their Prospecting management, the basic salesmanship is still there and relevant. This is Cinema Verite and the Mayslie Brothers are credited for this type of genre. The film also has an Avant Garde feel to it that leaves us intrigued and depressed. By the end, as we see Paul lament about his unstable career choice in a motel room among his colleagues,the film ends as the credits flash on a black screen to the industrial noisy sounds of the urban sprawl that leaves us in despair and wonder of what the lack of meaning in a profession can do to some people.
This documentary is certainly not enjoyable and has the appeal of morbid curiosity. It is a footnote in a bygone era where certain sales models have dwindled. Even though they didn't have the technology of GPS tracking systems and CRM's to aide in their Prospecting management, the basic salesmanship is still there and relevant. This is Cinema Verite and the Mayslie Brothers are credited for this type of genre. The film also has an Avant Garde feel to it that leaves us intrigued and depressed. By the end, as we see Paul lament about his unstable career choice in a motel room among his colleagues,the film ends as the credits flash on a black screen to the industrial noisy sounds of the urban sprawl that leaves us in despair and wonder of what the lack of meaning in a profession can do to some people.
Painfully Good
dpmoretti14 June 2002
I have a stomach for tough, realistic movies. I didn't flinch while watching the "Bad Lieutenant." But I had to turn this one off for a little while.
It's too real. It's painfully unromantic but often poignant. It's an absolutely amazing piece of filming.
It's too real. It's painfully unromantic but often poignant. It's an absolutely amazing piece of filming.
Brutal look at 60's door to door sales
pwalkerfm25 May 2021
This film is important as it represents a lost era of door to door sales. While it is not fine cinema, it does make its point. Documentary style, which makes it realistic though a bit disjointed. Highly recommended as it completely reflects a lost art.
"Death of a salesman" without death but with real life.
pellets7 February 2002
A tragic summary of a job that demands a very cynic and indoctrinated person. Brilliant fun at times, but what you, as a viewer, are laughing at, are indeed real people, with real emotions.
The "direct cinema" style of the film is very convincing, though not without leaving doubts about real truth in documentaries. The problem with the "missing body" is not there, but problems about representing people and reality still creeps up on you during the film. However, there is little evidence in the film that the filmmakers are interrupting anything, none of the people in the film ever react to the camera.
Certainly a worthwhile documentary film for those interested in the subject per se. Interesting also to notice that all the classic sales-tricks are in place as early as 1969.
The "direct cinema" style of the film is very convincing, though not without leaving doubts about real truth in documentaries. The problem with the "missing body" is not there, but problems about representing people and reality still creeps up on you during the film. However, there is little evidence in the film that the filmmakers are interrupting anything, none of the people in the film ever react to the camera.
Certainly a worthwhile documentary film for those interested in the subject per se. Interesting also to notice that all the classic sales-tricks are in place as early as 1969.
The gut-wrenching reality of being a Salesman
RuthlessGoat14 March 2014
This documentary about Salesmen is simply awesome. Set in the 1960's, this film brings to life the reality of four Bible Salesmen. We have Paul "The Badger" Brennan, Raymond "The Bull" Martos, Charles "The Gipper" McDevitt and James "The Rabbit" Baker. These drummers pitch the reverence, serenity and beauty of their gaudily illustrated and over- priced goods, but there is no peace for the figidity, knuckle-gnawing, chain-smoking and desperate men in this documentary, especially for "The Badger". Failure, fear and despair was written all over his face as he has lost his touch, mostly because of his own soured attitude, and there will be no stopping this decline because he just cannot close any more.
The sales targets, as you might guess, are people who can afford it the least, poor Catholic families in middle to lower middle class neighborhoods. "We're from the Church" is the first lie that comes out of their mouths as these hucksters use Jesus and guilt to try to separate money from those who cannot afford, and do not need yet another Bible. After a gut-wrenching and intimidating Sales Meeting, they move their dog and pony show from snowy Massachusetts to Florida, but nothing really changes for the desperate salesmen.
I mean, why mince words, these guys are creeps and no one is more creepy than the inevitable Sales Manager, a wide-eyed gunslinger who ghosts their every activity. This asshole is the very embodiment of micromanagement by intimidation, and nothing was more disgusting and revealing than the fraudulent "role-play" in which he showed his uncanny ability to NOT LISTEN. I mean, this was ROLE PLAY using professional salesmen, but even there the tension was electric, it was just an amazing scene.
As a successful Salesman for 25 years, this documentary was depressing as hell and the misery showed on the faces of everyone involved. The body language was stunning, especially from the hapless prospects, with arms folded in defense. No one is happy here and these are pigeons who did not want to buy the goods from totally eviscerated salesmen. The last scene with the visibly defeated Badger was excruciating to watch and the mere fact that this ancient documentary has had such an impact on me is a testimony to its excellence. This is one of the greatest films on Salesmen ever, just watch it.
9/10 Stars, magnificent!
The sales targets, as you might guess, are people who can afford it the least, poor Catholic families in middle to lower middle class neighborhoods. "We're from the Church" is the first lie that comes out of their mouths as these hucksters use Jesus and guilt to try to separate money from those who cannot afford, and do not need yet another Bible. After a gut-wrenching and intimidating Sales Meeting, they move their dog and pony show from snowy Massachusetts to Florida, but nothing really changes for the desperate salesmen.
I mean, why mince words, these guys are creeps and no one is more creepy than the inevitable Sales Manager, a wide-eyed gunslinger who ghosts their every activity. This asshole is the very embodiment of micromanagement by intimidation, and nothing was more disgusting and revealing than the fraudulent "role-play" in which he showed his uncanny ability to NOT LISTEN. I mean, this was ROLE PLAY using professional salesmen, but even there the tension was electric, it was just an amazing scene.
As a successful Salesman for 25 years, this documentary was depressing as hell and the misery showed on the faces of everyone involved. The body language was stunning, especially from the hapless prospects, with arms folded in defense. No one is happy here and these are pigeons who did not want to buy the goods from totally eviscerated salesmen. The last scene with the visibly defeated Badger was excruciating to watch and the mere fact that this ancient documentary has had such an impact on me is a testimony to its excellence. This is one of the greatest films on Salesmen ever, just watch it.
9/10 Stars, magnificent!
The most boring film I have ever seen
jjbowers21320 August 2012
I purchased this DVD as it's part of the Criterion Collection and I own several Criterion's. I have never found a film on the Criterion Collection to be 'boring', but this one takes the biscuit. I have tried twice to watch this film and both times I have nearly fallen asleep. This is hands down the most BORING film I have ever seen in my life. A bunch of old men sit around smoking and talking about a whole bunch of nothing for an hour and a half. Just who would find this interesting? I can only think this may be worthwhile to someone who has been a salesman themselves before. But this film does nothing to show us the advantages and disadvantages of their profession. It doesn't even show anything interesting about the persona of each salesman. There is literally nothing here except old men knocking on doors, sitting down for a smoke and a boring chat, and then knocking on doors again. I have seen A LOT of films and never have i ever experienced anything as slow and boring and uninteresting as this.
Could have been more then but the cold look at the sales business, the sellers and the potential buyers is well done and makes for engaging if rather downbeat entertainment
bob the moo24 August 2006
Paul Brennan is "The Badger". Charles McDevitt is "The Gipper". James Baker is "The Rabbit" and Raymond Martos is "The Bull". However this is not yet another British gangster film from Guy Ritchie but rather a fly-on-the-wall documentary following these four door-to-door bible salesman as they go about their trade and shoot the breeze with one another. Selling for as much as $40 per ornate book, the target audience are mostly poor catholic families who are given a hard sell before being offered a range of payment methods. In the middle of a sales slum, we follow Paul Brennan as he tries to break his losing streak.
Probably the worst job I have done wasn't that bad but was when I was a cleaner 7 mornings a week while also going through university. It felt worse because I also worked weekend evenings in a bar. However I would happily do either of those again if the only other option open to me was telephone or door-to-door sales because to me it is a soul-destroying job. I know some people can excel at it but others scrape by on their commissions, trying to force products onto others that they wouldn't buy themselves. This documentary confirms my thoughts on the job as we follow Paul Brennan on sales calls, conferences and sales meetings. Those familiar with Glengary Glenross will know where they are already and personally I kept seeing Brennan as the Gill character from the Simpsons, frantically just trying to get by. The film doesn't provide much more insight than that because it is very much a fly-on-the-wall affair that lets the characters speak for themselves.
By doing this it lays bare the approach of the sales game. It is depressing for several reasons and it made me feel sympathy for Brennan as often as I felt repulsed by him. He doesn't care about those he is selling to and he lies, applies pressure and guilts his marks into buying something they don't need and often don't actually want. But it is easy to feel for him because he is doing a job. I have never had someone coming door-to-door astonish me with a service or product that I suddenly wanted, especially nowadays, if you want it and can afford it, you probably already have it, but the sales staff still need to sell and Brennan's way is the most basic approach. The Maysles brothers wisely stay out of the way and I was quite amazed at how unobtrusive their camera was even when the sales were in relatively confined rooms.
Overall this is a rather depressing film that could have had more in the way of insight but does well to stand back and just observe. Modern documentaries often lose that so in a way it was refreshing not to have talking heads throughout the footage. Could have been more then but the cold look at the sales business, the sellers and the potential buyers is well done and makes for engaging if rather downbeat entertainment.
Probably the worst job I have done wasn't that bad but was when I was a cleaner 7 mornings a week while also going through university. It felt worse because I also worked weekend evenings in a bar. However I would happily do either of those again if the only other option open to me was telephone or door-to-door sales because to me it is a soul-destroying job. I know some people can excel at it but others scrape by on their commissions, trying to force products onto others that they wouldn't buy themselves. This documentary confirms my thoughts on the job as we follow Paul Brennan on sales calls, conferences and sales meetings. Those familiar with Glengary Glenross will know where they are already and personally I kept seeing Brennan as the Gill character from the Simpsons, frantically just trying to get by. The film doesn't provide much more insight than that because it is very much a fly-on-the-wall affair that lets the characters speak for themselves.
By doing this it lays bare the approach of the sales game. It is depressing for several reasons and it made me feel sympathy for Brennan as often as I felt repulsed by him. He doesn't care about those he is selling to and he lies, applies pressure and guilts his marks into buying something they don't need and often don't actually want. But it is easy to feel for him because he is doing a job. I have never had someone coming door-to-door astonish me with a service or product that I suddenly wanted, especially nowadays, if you want it and can afford it, you probably already have it, but the sales staff still need to sell and Brennan's way is the most basic approach. The Maysles brothers wisely stay out of the way and I was quite amazed at how unobtrusive their camera was even when the sales were in relatively confined rooms.
Overall this is a rather depressing film that could have had more in the way of insight but does well to stand back and just observe. Modern documentaries often lose that so in a way it was refreshing not to have talking heads throughout the footage. Could have been more then but the cold look at the sales business, the sellers and the potential buyers is well done and makes for engaging if rather downbeat entertainment.
disarming, honest look at the practices of salesmen on the road
Quinoa198417 December 2007
Albert and David Maysles, apparently working from a personal source (the four men, nicknamed the Gipper, the Rabbit, the Bull, and the quasi-lead being the Badger, all come from or around the Irish-Boston section that the Maysles came from as well), found themselves a kind of theatrical core to what is, in terms of the actual shooting, about as straight-on as can be in documentary cinema. Al Maysles, especially, would make the bulk of his work in the future just like this- shooting with just him on camera and a sound-guy (in this case David)- and it has the feel of being right there and up front in the situations. What the Maysles called "direct-cinema", as opposed to the term Cinema Verite. It's not exactly a news program, but it's not your run-of-the-mill documentary either. While the brothers put their subjective view on the material by, of course, choosing what not to show (who knows if the men made more sales than were actually shown, or if there were more quiet moments or conversations in the motel rooms that rambled further), and in the editing process of who to cut to or what to close-in or back away from, it feels always fresh in perspective.
We're really right there seeing what is going on during the sale, as well as seeing how the men "unwind" by complaining about the sales they didn't make, the things that kept them from what they had to do, which was put forward the "#1 bestselling book in the world" for 49.99 a month to your average Joe or Mrs. Joe down the street. What the Maysles don't ask is to make you really put a very harsh judgment either way; by both sides presented, of the men in the desperate but completely professional and slick act of selling (selling themselves probably just as much as the bible, and how getting the sale or not suddenly changes them in front of the prospective customer), and how they are behind closed doors, shooting the s***, playing cards, or driving in their cars. Most especially fascinating, however, is that the Maysles put a theatrical ring to the proceedings, like watching characters from a stage play ala O'Neill in the great drama of life- characters, by the way, who can be talked about just as real people as figures in a film.
Seeing Salesman gives a glimpse not so much into religion- they're not sermonizing here, the Maysles- but into a specific world that doesn't exist the way it used to, where men followed along leads from previous sellers, and sometimes made it through the door or not at all. There's a disarming quality to the production; we should think that these guys aren't the ones to like or identify with, that we're the ones getting peddled to and made to feel like we MUST get this or else and so on. By opening it up just by a glimpse, and how the 16mm camera goes around with the freedom of the fly-on-the-wall, it opens up the perspective. It's one of the Maysles's very best, a piece of true Americana as a time capsule.
We're really right there seeing what is going on during the sale, as well as seeing how the men "unwind" by complaining about the sales they didn't make, the things that kept them from what they had to do, which was put forward the "#1 bestselling book in the world" for 49.99 a month to your average Joe or Mrs. Joe down the street. What the Maysles don't ask is to make you really put a very harsh judgment either way; by both sides presented, of the men in the desperate but completely professional and slick act of selling (selling themselves probably just as much as the bible, and how getting the sale or not suddenly changes them in front of the prospective customer), and how they are behind closed doors, shooting the s***, playing cards, or driving in their cars. Most especially fascinating, however, is that the Maysles put a theatrical ring to the proceedings, like watching characters from a stage play ala O'Neill in the great drama of life- characters, by the way, who can be talked about just as real people as figures in a film.
Seeing Salesman gives a glimpse not so much into religion- they're not sermonizing here, the Maysles- but into a specific world that doesn't exist the way it used to, where men followed along leads from previous sellers, and sometimes made it through the door or not at all. There's a disarming quality to the production; we should think that these guys aren't the ones to like or identify with, that we're the ones getting peddled to and made to feel like we MUST get this or else and so on. By opening it up just by a glimpse, and how the 16mm camera goes around with the freedom of the fly-on-the-wall, it opens up the perspective. It's one of the Maysles's very best, a piece of true Americana as a time capsule.
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