A new documentary, “The Man Who Definitely Didn’t Steal Hollywood,” explores the tumultuous events surrounding Giancarlo Parretti’s brief but impactful reign over the legendary MGM/UA studio. Directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker John Dower, the 90-minute feature will air on BBC Two and iPlayer this autumn.
In 1990, Giancarlo Parretti, a former waiter turned movie mogul, purchased MGM/UA for $1.3 billion. The acquisition raised hopes that this charismatic Italian, with his mysterious wealth, would revitalize the studio behind iconic films like “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gone with the Wind,” and the James Bond franchise.
However, the optimism was short-lived. Within weeks, the 17th James Bond film was halted, paychecks to stars like Dustin Hoffman bounced, and hundreds of MGM/UA employees were laid off. Parretti soon faced an FBI investigation for alleged financial irregularities, and his control over the studio quickly unraveled.
The documentary offers unprecedented access to MGM insiders, Hollywood directors, actors, writers, and Giancarlo Parretti himself. It meticulously examines one of Hollywood’s biggest scandals, detailing the lawsuits and criminal charges that followed Parretti’s purchase.
Just days before his sentencing for perjury and falsifying documents, Parretti left the USA, with international arrest warrants issued soon after. Back in Italy, Parretti now shares his side of the story, including his rise from waiter to one of Hollywood’s most powerful studio bosses. The film also features interviews with federal prosecutors and MGM insiders, providing a comprehensive look at one of Hollywood’s most intriguing and untold stories.
As the FBI and federal prosecutors dug deeper, they uncovered a web of corruption and bribes that extended beyond the MGM deal, ultimately contributing to the collapse of Europe’s largest bank. Parretti, a charismatic figure, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The documentary, filmed in locations across Los Angeles, Rome, Melbourne, London, New York, and Orvieto, Italy, lifts the lid on the murky dealings behind some of Hollywood’s greatest films.
The Man Who Definitely Didn’t Steal Hollywood is produced by Wonderhood Studios for BBC Arts.
