--- product_id: 21706313 title: "Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession" brand: "robert altmanvera carlisle andersonalexandra cassavetes" price: "€ 22.42" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 10 url: https://www.desertcart.pt/products/21706313-z-channel-a-magnificent-obsession store_origin: PT region: Portugal --- # Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession **Brand:** robert altmanvera carlisle andersonalexandra cassavetes **Price:** € 22.42 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession by robert altmanvera carlisle andersonalexandra cassavetes - **How much does it cost?** € 22.42 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pt](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/21706313-z-channel-a-magnificent-obsession) ## Best For - robert altmanvera carlisle andersonalexandra cassavetes enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted robert altmanvera carlisle andersonalexandra cassavetes brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession ## Images ![Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514NkCTJQOL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Z Channel, 1974-1989. R.I.P. *by T***N on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 18, 2022* Very much enjoyed this! I enjoy documentaries, but I had not heard of this one. I am not sure if I even heard of Z Channel before this film! This was when pay cable was new. HBO was in its infancy. The Z Channel existed in Los Angeles CA. It is a fascinating look at how one man's love of movies led to great success and in the end, tragedy! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars "... But because we act and inspire, and rouse others to action and inspiration." *by C***Y on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 22, 2005* This is almost certainly the best movie I've seen this year, and it's definitely my favorite.It's a documentary that serves many different functions. First and foremost it tells the little-known tragedy of Jerry Harvey, a guy who did some great and wonderful things during his life, but also, near his end, committed two horrible acts.Harvey was the programming director for Z-Channel which, during the late 70s and 80s, broadcast films so ecclectic, it's hard to believe they were actually aired anywhere: Sam Fuller films, the complete "1900," the complete "Das Boot," the complete "Heaven's Gate," both versions of "Once Upon a Time in America," Altman movies, obscure foreign films, mainstream fare, soft core porn, etc, etc, etc....Even in an era when most people have hundreds of television viewing options, Z Channel remains impressive. That it existed during the early days of pay cable is mindboggling, and the movie also does a great job of explaining those early days, and what it took to keep a channel running and how that channel eventually failed, which is another fascinating branch of the film's narrative.But the main function of the movie is to run through a thick cross-section of the films that were shown on the channel, and why these films were important to the people behind the scenes (including Z Critic F.X. Feeney, former Fox head Bill Mechanic and Harvey himself), to the people who made the movies that were shown (Paul Verhoeven, James Woods and Robert Altman, who gets the movie's best, most poingnant line, "I like him!") and to the channel's old audience itself (we see great, bubbly interviews with guys like Alexander Payne, Jim Jarmusch and Quentin Tarantino, who gets a fine line too: "And then they didn't go in the bedroom.... And I was pissed!").It all coagulates into a dizzying, complex story that's both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. If you have any interest at all in film, this is a documentary that's right in the league with "Visions of Light," "The Battle Over Citizen Kane" and Martin Scorsese's "Journey" and "Voyage" films -- which is to say, "essential."DVD Notes:The commentary, with all the key production figures, including director Xan Cassavetes is excellent: A big, talky, messy swirl of details that somehow explains how everything was done, from the licensing of the clips shown to the dreamy interludes of scenes from around L.A.Deleted scenes include solid asides about "3 Women," "Touch of Evil" and other films, portions that didn't make the final cut.There's also some expendable footage from an AFI tribute.Particularly good is the complete "Castaway's Choice" interview with Jerry Harvey, though listening to it somewhat diminishes the otherworldly effect Cassavettes sought (and got) when she used snippets of it in the finished film.Some reviewers have complained that there should be more material from Z Channel itself -- complete pages from the program guide, cover galleries, old commercials. And they're 100% right, and the scrolling supplement that shows a few, old, terribly copy-edited reviews is just enough to whet one's appetite for more. But the movie is such a huge buffet, that's almost like gorging yourself on a gourmet meal and then being disappointed with the dessert. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic documentary. *by H***Y on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 16, 2022* I really enjoyed this documentary, just wish things had panned out a bit differently in the end. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.pt/products/21706313-z-channel-a-magnificent-obsession](https://www.desertcart.pt/products/21706313-z-channel-a-magnificent-obsession) --- *Product available on Desertcart Portugal* *Store origin: PT* *Last updated: 2026-04-24*