Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars is een diepgaande documentatie van Robert Wilsons ambitieuze poging om een ​​epische, twaalf uur durende, multinationale opera op te voeren voor de Olympische Zomerspelen van 1984. Filmmaker Howard Brookner volgt de avant-garde theaterregisseur terwijl hij wordt geconfronteerd met een hectisch werkschema, financieringsproblemen en meedogenloze internationale reizen in een poging zijn voorbereidingen te voltooien

Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars is an in-depth documentation of Robert Wilson’s ambitious attempt to stage an epic, twelve-hour, multinational opera for the 1984 Summer Olympics. Filmmaker Howard Brookner follows the avant-garde theatre director as he confronts a hectic work schedule, funding difficulties and relentless international travel in attempt to complete his preparations. The film examines Wilson’s unique theatrical style during The Civil Wars: A Tree Is Best Measured When It Is Down, which involves the continual creation of evocative stage sets, owing to a unique juxtaposition of movement, sound, text and image. Known for his precise, painterly images Wilson’s work derives more from visual art than the orthodox literary traditions of theatre. As a result, Wilson often challenges actors to perform in a boldly minimalist style, as well as collaborating with non-actors, such as young autistic poet Christopher Knowles in Einstein on the Beach.