Two-time Academy Award winner Sir David Lean (1908ndash;1991) was one of the most prominent directors of the twentieth century; responsible for the classics The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957); Lawrence of Arabia (1962); and Doctor Zhivago (1965). British-born Lean asserted himself in Hollywood as a major filmmaker with his epic storytelling and panoramic visions of history; but he started out as a talented film editor and director in Great Britain. As a result; he brought an art-house mentality to blockbuster films. Combining elements of biography and film criticism; Beyond the Epic: The Life and Films of David Lean uses screenplays and production histories to assess Leans body of work. Author Gene D. Phillips interviews actors who worked with Lean and directors who knew him; and their comments reveal new details about the directors life and career. Phillips also explores Leans lesser-studied films; such as The Passionate Friends (1949); Hobsons Choice (1954); and Summertime (1955). The result is an in-depth examination of the director in cultural; historical; and cinematic contexts. Leans approach to filmmaking was far different than that of many of his contemporaries. He chose his films carefully and; as a result; directed only sixteen films in a period of more than forty years. Those films; however; have become some of the landmarks of motion-picture history. Lean is best known for his epics; but Phillips also focuses on Leans successful adaptations of famous works of literature; including retellings of plays such as Brief Encounter (1945) and novels such as Great Expectations (1946); Oliver Twist (1948); and A Passage to India (1984). From expansive studies of war and strife to some of literatures greatest high comedies and domestic dramas; Lean imbued all of his films with his unique creative vision. Few directors can match Leans ability to combine narrative sweep and psychological detail; and Phillips goes beyond Leans epics to reveal this unifying characteristic in the directors body of work. Beyond the Epic is a vital assessment of a great directors artistic process and his place in the film industry.
#411131 in eBooks 2009-09-17 2009-09-17File Name: B002RIA08A
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Bowie Through Viscontis EyesBy SkyebluFinally got around to reading this book. I was mostly interested in Bowie but enjoyed getting to know Visconti better. Hes had an amazing life. Hes a very normal. flawed human and I appreciated his honesty. He didnt attempt to be the big hero. He kept it real. He is also a talented producer and hes had some interesting experiences. I enjoyed reading about many incidents or situations I knew from other books that I could now see through Visconti"s eyes. I would recommend it to any Bowie fans. Tony Visconti and Bowie created some amazing stuff. Its god to hear his view of it all.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Id say that this is the best of the producer bios from the golden era of ...By Lawrence LachmannAs far the writing goes. Id say that this is the best of the producer bios from the golden era of the 60s - 80s. . Ive read the George Martin. Geoff Emmerick. Ken Scott. Phil Ramone books. (Probably more. that Im forgetting!) While Visconti doesnt have Beatles (my favorites) stories like Martin and Emmerick. he does have lots of other stories involving David Bowie. Marc Bolan. Moody Blues and many others. I wasnt totally aware of just how many other artists he worked with throughout his career. I found him to be very honest and straightforward in his approach. If he criticizes some people. he also criticizes himself just as readily. This was a really good read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Dont Pass This By If You Love Music and Want To See How the Big Boys Did ItBy TruebelieverI really enjoyed the history and stories of Tonys work with Bowie and other international stars but I really appreciate the biography of the man and where he has come from to where he is now (including. not in the book unfortunately. his recent tour with Holy Holy. the Man Who Fell To Earth Tour but maybe he will write a journal of that tour soon). Some of the most interesting "bits" in the book are the insights into creating and recording various albums for Bowie and Marc Bolan and the methods he (Tony) came up with to make the now classic recordings unlike anything that has ever been put to tape. This includes studio experiments and coaching/mentoring his cohorts in creating these classic albums. Enough said. Buy the book and enjoy an exciting ride from Brooklyn to London and beyond for the past 40 years.
