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Haskell Wexler

Haskell Wexler

Cinematographer and director, also actor, producer and writer · Died December 27, 2015, aged 89 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Haskell Wexler (February 6, 1922 – December 27, 2015) is an American cinematographer, producer, and director. Wexler was judged to be one of film history's ten most influential cinematographers in a survey of the members of the International Cinematographers Guild. He won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography twice, in 1966 and 1976 in five nominations. Description above from the Wikipedia article Haskell Wexler, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 6, 1926
Died
December 27, 2015 (aged 89)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Cinematographer and director, also actor, producer and writer
Titles
44 on MovieCove · 90 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 53% in 30 days

What are Haskell Wexler's films like?

Across their 40 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 91st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
20%
Bonds
19%
Society
19%
Self
16%
Power
14%
Ideas
7%
Survival
5%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 39 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 12 · Dark 17

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 31 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 9 · Charged 18 · Intense 12

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 19 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 21 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 23 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 17 · Full focus 6

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 15 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 13

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 24 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Contemplative
17
Melancholic
15
Warm
8
Hopeful
9
Other
26

How their films linger

Thought-provoking22 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet24
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous11
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Haskell Wexler's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Haskell Wexler's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

90 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 24 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • From Wounded Knee to Standing Rock: A Reporter's Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Cinematographer

  • To Begin the World Over Again: The Life of Thomas Paine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer

  • Neil Young - Haskell Wexler - Teatro Session(2015)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · as Self

  • The Moving Picture Co. 1914 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Cameraman / Carpenter

  • Four Days in Chicago (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Medium Cool Revisited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · as Self

  • Eagles: Live At The Capital Centre March 1977 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Cinematographer

  • Bringing King to China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Cinematographer

  • Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Cinematographer

  • Something's Gonna Live(2009)

    Cinematographer · as Self (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • In the Name of Democracy: America's Conscience, a Soldier's Sacrifice,(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Sense of Wonder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Cinematographer

  • Battle in Seattle(2007)

    as Haskell Wexler

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer

  • Who Needs Sleep? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer · Writer · as Self

  • The Big Empty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Bookstore Customer

  • Bastards of the Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • Silver City(2004)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Look Out Haskell, It’s Real!: The Making of Medium Cool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Bruce Springsteen: The Complete Video Anthology 1978-2000 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Cinematographer

  • 61*(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Man on Lincoln's Nose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • Bus Rider's Union (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Bread and Roses(2000)

    Second Assistant Camera

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Good Kurds, Bad Kurds: No Friends But the Mountains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • Limbo(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • I'm Still Here... Damn It! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Finding North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Thanks

  • The Rich Man's Wife(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Mulholland Falls(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Mexico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Cinematographer

  • Canadian Bacon(1995)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Sixth Sun: Mayan Uprising in Chiapas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Cinematographer

  • The Secret of Roan Inish(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Babe(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Papakolea: A Story of Hawaiian Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer · Executive Producer · Producer

  • Other People's Money(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Blaze(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Three Fugitives(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Colors(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Matewan(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Uncle Meat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer · as Self

  • Latino (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Writer

  • The Man Who Loved Women(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Black Stallion Returns(1983)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Target Nicaragua: Inside a Covert War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • Lookin' to Get Out(1982)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Hail Columbia! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip(1982)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Second-Hand Hearts(1980)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • No Nukes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Cinematographer

  • The CIA Case Officer: John "Bob" Stockwell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Cinematographer

  • Days of Heaven(1978)

    Additional Photography

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Coming Home(1978)

    Cinematographer · as Officer Awarding Medals (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • War Without Winners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Bound for Glory(1976)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Underground(1976)

    Director · Cinematographer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Land of My Birth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Cinematographer

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(1975)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Introduction to the Enemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • The Conversation(1974)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • American Graffiti(1973)

    Other

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Trial of the Catonsville Nine(1972)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Brazil: A Report on Torture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • THX 1138(1971)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Interviews with My Lai Veterans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • Conversation with Allende (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Cinematographer

  • Medium Cool(1969)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer · as Cameraman on Scaffold (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Faces(1968)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Thomas Crown Affair(1968)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • In the Heat of the Night(1967)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?(1966)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Loved One(1965)

    Cinematographer · Producer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Bus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • The Best Man(1964)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • America America(1963)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • A Face in the Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Cinematographer

  • Grand Central Market (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Camera Operator

  • The Fisherman and His Soul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Angel Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • The Hoodlum Priest(1961)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Runaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Cinematographer

  • Studs Lonigan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • Five Bold Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Cinematographer

  • The Savage Eye(1959)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Wild River(1960)

    Additional Photography

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • T Is for Tumbleweed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Cinematographer

  • Stakeout on Dope Street(1958)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Living City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Cinematographer

Career shape

A full career of 90 titles from 1953 to 2019.

Biggest box office

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

$109M worldwide

Highest rated

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

  • 1969Screen debut· Medium Cool

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting6 of 90: 4 only acting, 2 with another roleDirecting16 of 90: 1 only directing, 15 with another roleWriting5 of 90: 0 only writing, 5 with another roleProducing5 of 90: 0 only producing, 5 with another roleCinematography77 of 90: 60 only cinematography, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score76thOther crew11 of 90: 7 only other crew, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score89th

90 titles, 18 with more than one role — cinematography and directing overlap on 14 of them.

By decade

1950s3 · crew1960s19 · 1 acting · 19 crew1970s17 · 1 acting · 17 crew1980s14 · crew1990s12 · crew2000s15 · 3 acting · 12 crew2010s10 · 1 acting · 9 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Haskell Wexler's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 76th percentile, the median of the 43 of 44 with a score; across their 39 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 73rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up24
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved13
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · cinematographer

In the Name of Democracy: America's Conscience, a Soldier's Sacrifice, (2009)

98th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 72/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 60. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Haskell Wexler's work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles32–67 · median 51 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity15 titles26–66 · median 42 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles30–85 · median 60 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles33–74 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles34–78 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Haskell Wexler work with?

People who share at least 2 of Haskell Wexler's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hal Ashby shares the most, 7.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles