Films About Collectors: A Curated Collection

Description: A butterfly collector, Freddie Clegg, kidnaps a woman he admires, treating her as the ultimate addition to his collection. This dark tale explores the extreme lengths one might go to possess something or someone.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by John Fowles, and the character of Freddie was inspired by real-life serial killers.

Description: This film follows the journey of a rare violin, crafted in the 18th century, as it passes through various owners over centuries, each with their own story of collecting and valuing this unique instrument.

Fact: The violin used in the film was made specifically for the movie by a master luthier, and it was auctioned off after filming.

Description: Thomas Crown, a wealthy businessman, steals a Monet painting from a museum, not for the money but for the thrill of the heist. His collection of art and the subsequent cat-and-mouse game with an insurance investigator highlight the allure of collecting.

Fact: The film features a real Monet painting, "San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk," which was loaned from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Description: An aging art forger is commissioned to create a copy of a Monet painting, leading to a story about the art world, forgery, and the collectors who drive the market.

Fact: The film features real-life art forger John Myatt, who plays himself in a cameo.

Description: A man inherits his estranged mother's house, filled with a lifetime of collected items, leading to a psychological thriller about the secrets hidden within the clutter.

Fact: The film was shot in a real-life hoarder's house, adding authenticity to the setting.

Description: Virgil Oldman, an auctioneer, becomes obsessed with a reclusive heiress's collection of art, leading to a complex game of deception and desire. The film delves into the world of art collecting and the lengths one will go to acquire rare pieces.

Fact: The film was shot in Italy, and the art pieces shown were either real or meticulously crafted replicas.

Description: This documentary explores the world of art theft, focusing on the infamous theft of the Barnes Foundation's collection, showcasing the lengths to which collectors and thieves will go for art.

Fact: The film includes interviews with key figures involved in the legal battles over the collection.

Description: Based on true events, this film follows a group of art experts during WWII tasked with rescuing art stolen by the Nazis, highlighting the importance of art collecting and preservation.

Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History."

Description: This film features a legendary concierge, Gustave H., who, along with his lobby boy Zero, becomes embroiled in a theft involving a priceless Renaissance painting from the hotel's collection. The film's focus on art and its value makes it a perfect fit for this list.

Fact: The film was inspired by the writings of Stefan Zweig, and the art department created over 1,000 pieces of art for the film, including the painting at the center of the plot.

Description: Although not directly about art or traditional collecting, this horror film features a collector of human lives, showcasing a different kind of obsession with possession.

Fact: The film was initially planned as a prequel to the Saw franchise but evolved into its own story.