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The Best Episodes of American Masters

Every episode of American Masters ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of American Masters!

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American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    American Masters Season 5 Episode 2 - John Cassavetes
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - John Cassavetes

    S5:E2

    A documentary that follows the varied career of the noted film director.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. American Masters Season 19 Episode 8 - Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (2)
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (2)

    S19:E8

    No description available

    Director:Martin Scorsese
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. American Masters Season 27 Episode 1 - Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #3 - Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock & Roll

    S27:E1

    Despite not being a household name today, Sister Rosetta Tharpe is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Her flamboyance, skill, and showmanship on the newly electrified guitar played a vital role in the conception of Rock & Roll as a genre of music. Featuring archival performances and using new interviews with fellow musicians, producers, friends, and colleagues, this film tells the story of a talented and determined woman that introduces spiritual passion of her gospel music background into Rock & Roll. Learn more about Sister Rosetta Tharpe, her life story, and lasting artistic legacy.

    Director:Mick Csáky
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. American Masters Season 34 Episode 1 - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool
    7.3/10(7 votes)

    #4 - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool

    S34:E1

    Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage, including studio outtakes from his recording sessions, rare photos and new interviews.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. American Masters Season 2 Episode 2 - Directed by William Wyler
    7.2/10(5 votes)

    #5 - Directed by William Wyler

    S2:E2

    A retrospective on the rich legacy of cinema directed by Wyler with clips and commentary.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. American Masters Season 9 Episode 4 - Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul

    S9:E4

    An examination of the author's life and a look at the specifics of some of his written works.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of American Masters

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  7. American Masters Season 33 Episode 2 - Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me

    S33:E2

    Sammy Davis, Jr. had the kind of career that was indisputably legendary, so vast and multi-faceted that it was dizzying in its scope and scale. And yet, his life was complex, complicated and contradictory. Davis strove to achieve the American Dream in a time of racial prejudice and shifting political territory.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. American Masters Season 5 Episode 1 - Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer
    6.3/10(7 votes)

    #8 - Preston Sturges: The Rise and Fall of an American Dreamer

    S5:E1

    The life of the famous director and scriptwriter, from his writings for the stage to his Hollywood acclaim.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. American Masters Season 4 Episode 9 - Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius
    6.2/10(4 votes)

    #9 - Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius

    S4:E9

    Profile of the comedy standout from the silent era who is often mentioned third behind Chaplin and Keaton.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. American Masters Season 3 Episode 8 - Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Broadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatre

    S3:E8

    The story of "method" acting.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. American Masters Season 5 Episode 3 - Martin Scorsese Directs
    6.0/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Martin Scorsese Directs

    S5:E3

    Interviews and film clips document the hard-hitting film work of Scorsese.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. American Masters Season 10 Episode 5 - Nichols and May: Take Two
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Nichols and May: Take Two

    S10:E5

    A chronicle of the 1950s comedy team and the short-lived but memorable career of the duo.

    Director:Phillip Schopper
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. American Masters Season 30 Episode 2 - B.B. King: The Life of Riley
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - B.B. King: The Life of Riley

    S30:E2

    The challenging life and career of blues guitarist B.B. King; candid interviews feature Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Ringo Starr.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. American Masters Season 34 Episode 2 - Mae West: Dirty Blonde
    3.0/10(3 votes)

    #14 - Mae West: Dirty Blonde

    S34:E2

    American Masters — Mae West: Dirty Blonde is the first major documentary film to explore Mae West’s life and career as she "climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong" to become a writer, performer and subversive agitator for social change. West achieved great acclaim in every entertainment medium that existed during her lifetime, spanning eight decades of the 20th century. She possessed creative and economic powers unheard of for a female entertainer in the 1930s and still rare today.

    Directors:Julia Marchesi, Sally Rosenthal
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. American Masters Season 40 Episode 1 - Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire

    S40:E1

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. American Masters Season 40 Episode 2 - Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - Sun Ra: Do the Impossible

    S40:E2

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. American Masters Season 40 Episode 3 - Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House

    S40:E3

    No description available

    Director:Jeff L. Lieberman
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. American Masters Season 1 Episode 1 - Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman'

    S1:E1

    A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman for television.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. American Masters Season 1 Episode 2 - Philip Johnson, Self Portrait
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Philip Johnson, Self Portrait

    S1:E2

    One of America's best-known architects is profiled, with emphasis on his early career and his later movement away from minimalism.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. American Masters Season 1 Episode 3 - Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Katherine Anne Porter: The Eye of Memory

    S1:E3

    A biography of the well-known social critic and author Katherine Anne Porter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. American Masters Season 1 Episode 4 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - The Unknown Chaplin (1)

    S1:E4

    An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. American Masters Season 1 Episode 5 - The Unknown Chaplin (2)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The Unknown Chaplin (2)

    S1:E5

    An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. American Masters Season 1 Episode 6 - The Unknown Chaplin (3)
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - The Unknown Chaplin (3)

    S1:E6

    An in-depth treatment of the life and sensibilities of the innovative silent film superstar Charlie Chaplin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. American Masters Season 1 Episode 7 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day

    S1:E7

    A biography of Billie Holiday, one of America's most unique and emotional jazz singers and the tragic end of her life at an early age.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. American Masters Season 1 Episode 8 - James Levine: A Life in Music
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - James Levine: A Life in Music

    S1:E8

    The musical career of the long-time conductor of New York City's Metropolitan Opera as reflected by following his normal working day on camera.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"John Cassavetes" is the best rated episode of "American Masters". It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 7/9/1990. This episode scored 2.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (2)".