The King of Color

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1:54

The King of Color

PG

2025

1h 22m

Documentary

Biography

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9 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

At 96 years old, Lawrence Herbert, known as THE KING OF COLOR, is a visionary whose revolutionary idea to standardize color remains largely unrecognized. Growing up in Depression-era Brooklyn, Herbert entered the print and manufacturing trade during a time when color was a chaotic and subjective experience. He channeled his unique vision into creating the Pantone Matching System (PMS)--a groundbreaking invention that established a universal language for color, profoundly enhancing artistic expression and commercial production across all industries. Directed by Patrick Creadon (WORDPLAY, HESBURGH), this compelling documentary features an exclusive interview with Larry himself, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind behind Pantone and his enduring impact on how we perceive and use color today.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Dec 31, 2025

It is fascinating as an exploration of American commerce in the 20th Century and things that we take for granted when we go shopping.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

Dec 12, 2025

3/4

It’s a smart, mostly light movie that will teach viewers a lot about processes they might not otherwise think about.

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Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

Dec 11, 2025

One interviewee suggests that Herbert has had a greater impact than Steve Jobs or Ray Kroc; he just isn’t as widely known. “The King of Color,” directed by Patrick Creadon (“Wordplay”), aims to offer a corrective.

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Glenn Dunks

reDocumented

May 13, 2026

I'm not sure Herbert is particularly interesting enough to warrant a full documentary about himself... Nor do I think the film really goes above and beyond the call of duty in telling his story beyond hitting all of the beats that one might expect.

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Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

Feb 10, 2026

For every shade of red that Herbert beams with pride, there’s a Pantone colour to match it.

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Beandrea July

FilmWeek (LAist)

Dec 31, 2025

I wish they had gone deeper with explaining the Pantone System.

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Gracie S

@RT35908443 Dec 28, 2025

Had no idea what the pantone matching system was or the orgin story! Very cool watch for any art, design, or documentary lovers!

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Patrick Creadon

Director

Larry Herbert

Self

William Neal

Screenwriter

Julia Szromba

Screenwriter

Patrick Creadon

Screenwriter

Christine O'Malley

Producer

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Synopsis

At 96 years old, Lawrence Herbert, known as THE KING OF COLOR, is a visionary whose revolutionary idea to standardize color remains largely unrecognized. Growing up in Depression-era Brooklyn, Herbert entered the print and manufacturing trade during a time when color was a chaotic and subjective experience. He channeled his unique vision into creating the Pantone Matching System (PMS)--a groundbreaking invention that established a universal language for color, profoundly enhancing artistic expression and commercial production across all industries. Directed by Patrick Creadon (WORDPLAY, HESBURGH), this compelling documentary features an exclusive interview with Larry himself, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind behind Pantone and his enduring impact on how we perceive and use color today.

Director: Patrick Creadon
Producer: Christine O'Malley, Adam L. Lawrence, H. Nelson Tracey
Screenwriter: William Neal, Julia Szromba, Patrick Creadon
Distributor: Picturehouse
Production Co: O'Malley Creadon Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 21, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.4K
Runtime: 1h 22m

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