Merce Cunningham's revolutionary take on modern dance is brilliantly explained in the film "A Lifetime of Dance" (Charles Atlas, 2001, 90 min) which places interviews with the master, and footage of his work, front and center. It's also a breathtaking performance piece, with endless film of his many abstract works, intercut with thoughtful comments by early members of Cunningham's dance company, dance critics, and historians. John Cage, whose percussive compositions became a hallmark of the Cunningham style, is fondly recollected by troupe members and Cunningham.