Notes on Auteur Theory

I completely agree with Sarris when he says that Auter theory needs a clearer definition. To me, it doesn't even seem like much of a "theory" at all. Auteur strikes me more as a term with which to discuss who the mastermind behind the piece is. I also take issue with the fact that a director or "Auteur" must have a distinct personality when making films. Though its nice for branding to want to see a "Spielberg, or a Tarantino" film, maybe there are directors out there that want to bring all sorts of different types of films and different techniques to the table. Should they be discredited as "not having a vision" because their vision is not the same for each film? I do not believe so.