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(This page uploaded Saturday 27 February, 1999)

Gene Siskel was one of the most important film critics the world will ever see. He worked for the Chicago Tribune, and wrote terrific reviews for it, but he was better known for his work with Roger Ebert on television, on a show that kept being renamed until 1986, when they settled for the simple "Siskel and Ebert".

The team helped change the face of film criticism in the US. They made the idea of serious, yet unpretentious, criticism on television not only plausible, but a reality, and, their bringing criticism into the mainstream led to shifts in the way films were made,  viewed and marketed, as well as giving the general filmgoing public two household-name people whose opinions -- in the form of thumbs up or down -- they could respect, and usually trust.

It is said that films like "My Dinner With Andre" could never have gotten so much attention without the influential S&E praising them, and that's probably true. How many other film critics do you know of who've been famous enough to have a street named after them?

I read Siskel's print reviews whenever I got a chance, through the Chicago Tribune website. I followed his and Roger's thumb votes on the internet too, through the "Siskel and Ebert" site, where you can also hear their conversation reviews by means of a Shockwave plug-in. I watched the show whenever I could, which wasn't as often as I'd have liked, since it wasn't on here in the UK. I remember last time I visited the US, a few months ago. The first thing I did after I'd stepped off the plane was buy a newspaper with a TV guide, to find out when I could tune in and see them. I always looked forward to seeing more of it, perhaps if I moved to the US one day, but now, of course, Siskel will never again review a new movie.

He had brain surgery last May, I believe he had a tumor, and his death was from complications arising from that operation. He worked right up until his death -- he only announced a leave of absence from the show a few weeks ago, and was still wrapping up articles for the Tribune about ten days ago.

After finding out about his death on Sunday, I have been feeling great depression and emptiness. Also disbelief -- he seemed to be recovering, he was only 53 and since I can't remember an image of him where he wasn't smiling, that's how I thought of him. And, I'm sure, that's how I'll remember him, as well as by the look of child-like eagerness he got whenever he was warmed up on the show, and on a roll.

Since I was hardly as familiar with him as the American public, let alone his family, or friends, I cannot imagine what they are feeling, or even if they've got over the initial shock. I know that we the cinemagoing public have lost a beloved film critic, and a legend, but going from all the accounts I've heard of what the man himself was like, they've lost a beautiful human being.

I'm told that the grief felt by Siskel's passing is still the number one topic on radio talk shows across America. The newspapers have certainly been writing about it a lot. I offer the following links so you can see some of that emotion for yourself, and understand completely the truth behind the old words "he will be missed".

[dead link]  Farewell, my friend
by Roger Ebert
A touching article by Gene's closest colleague. I am amazed and moved that Roger was able to write this wonderful piece so soon after the death.

[dead link]   Famed film critic Gene Siskel dies
by Robert Feder
The news of Gene's passing, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

[dead link]  Farewell to Siskel honors: Private side of a public man
by Rick Kogan
The day of Siskel's funeral service, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

[new link] Siskel and Ebert
Official Site
Search the history of Gene's thumb votes back to 1986, read a little biography of him, or see his year-end best and worst lists. You can also send a sympathy note to his family from here, a privilege I would remind people to use with extreme tact.

[dead link]   Remembering a film critic
by Jeff Huston
Another superb rememberance of Gene by Online Film Critics Society member Jeff Huston.

Gene's all-time favourites and least favourites
Plus excerpts from some of his four-star reviews from years past.

Gene Siskel: A man of influence by Mark Caro

From one critic to another by Michael Wilmington

Tell me the truest thing you know by Bob Greene
Chicago Tribune articles.

Gene Siskel: A critic for life by Boyd Petrie

A view from the balcony: Gene Siskel by Jerauld Salisbury
Other Online Film Critics Society members reflect on Gene and his influence on them.

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