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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
Realized all of a sudden that I hadn't quite finished this when I started reading it a few years ago. Anyway, it's an absolute winner, like all of Rinzler's definitive production histories.
This is a very well-written, very detailed look at the making of Star Wars, from George Lucas saying "I want to make a Flash Gordon movie" to "I am retiring from directing and setting up a company to make the sequels." You should only read this book if you want to learn everything about how that movie was developed, written, rewritten, designed, filmed, edited, assembled, etc. But if that does interest you, definitely read this book.
The Making of Star Wars by J.W. Rinzler
Ballantine Books, 2007
353 pages
Non-fiction; Hollywood
5/5 stars
Source: Library
This is a massive coffee-table book but it is covering a big topic: the genesis and making of Star Wars (A New Hope). There are so many pictures, excerpts from early scripts, quotes from many of the principal figures, both on and off screen talent. The best part is that those quotes are culled from interviews from about 1975-79, right as the instances happened and not as involved in the success and hype that followed. Nobody anticipated the runaway success Star Wars was!
While I knew about some of the challenges faced during production, I didn't know the half. In general, the technology of the time was not able to cope with the demands of George Lucas for this film, which resulted in a lot of frustration and compromise. I think that helps to explain Episodes I-III, where the technology was so much more advanced. Some of the parts were confusing to me as there are many people and technologies mentioned that were previously unfamiliar to me. However a careful reading helps to sort that out.
My favorite sections were about the actors and John Williams' score, as they were the parts I sort of knew already. It definitely made me want to go rewatch Star Wars and also listen to the soundtrack because it really is such great music.
Looking forward to The Making of The Empire Strikes Back so I can find out how they created Yoda and came up with that spoiler-you know the one ;) because as of the first film, that wasn't part of the plan.
Ballantine Books, 2007
353 pages
Non-fiction; Hollywood
5/5 stars
Source: Library
This is a massive coffee-table book but it is covering a big topic: the genesis and making of Star Wars (A New Hope). There are so many pictures, excerpts from early scripts, quotes from many of the principal figures, both on and off screen talent. The best part is that those quotes are culled from interviews from about 1975-79, right as the instances happened and not as involved in the success and hype that followed. Nobody anticipated the runaway success Star Wars was!
While I knew about some of the challenges faced during production, I didn't know the half. In general, the technology of the time was not able to cope with the demands of George Lucas for this film, which resulted in a lot of frustration and compromise. I think that helps to explain Episodes I-III, where the technology was so much more advanced. Some of the parts were confusing to me as there are many people and technologies mentioned that were previously unfamiliar to me. However a careful reading helps to sort that out.
My favorite sections were about the actors and John Williams' score, as they were the parts I sort of knew already. It definitely made me want to go rewatch Star Wars and also listen to the soundtrack because it really is such great music.
Looking forward to The Making of The Empire Strikes Back so I can find out how they created Yoda and came up with that spoiler-you know the one ;) because as of the first film, that wasn't part of the plan.
If I had to call it I would say I'm a bigger film fan generally than a Star Wars fan specifically but this was in the library and I'd heard good things about it.
It's an immense but thoroughly readable chronicle of Star Wars from inception to release. The level of detail is enough to satisfy most people, certainly a casual fan and there's a lot of fine print detail, far deeper than the usual anecdotes most people are aware of. I found it fascinating for the most part, occasionally a bit too much (the repeated script comparisons for instance) and the contemporary interviews recreate a wonderful sense of the excitement and expectations of the time. Lucus is portrayed as a tortured genius, constantly plagued by an inability to fully express his dreams and forced to create the technology as he went.
The copious illustrations from behind the scenes stills, storyboards, crew shots and memos along with the wonderful concept work from Ralph McQuarrie really bring it all to life.
If I had any complaint, I would say a chapter on the legacy of Star Wars along with the subsequent revisions and changes made by Lucus down the line would have really completed the package, though I'm aware there are other books that cover similar ground.
For Star Wars fans this is a must and for anyone with a general interest in film making it's full of rich detail and insight. Well worth it and it left me with a strong desire to re-watch the film.
It's an immense but thoroughly readable chronicle of Star Wars from inception to release. The level of detail is enough to satisfy most people, certainly a casual fan and there's a lot of fine print detail, far deeper than the usual anecdotes most people are aware of. I found it fascinating for the most part, occasionally a bit too much (the repeated script comparisons for instance) and the contemporary interviews recreate a wonderful sense of the excitement and expectations of the time. Lucus is portrayed as a tortured genius, constantly plagued by an inability to fully express his dreams and forced to create the technology as he went.
The copious illustrations from behind the scenes stills, storyboards, crew shots and memos along with the wonderful concept work from Ralph McQuarrie really bring it all to life.
If I had any complaint, I would say a chapter on the legacy of Star Wars along with the subsequent revisions and changes made by Lucus down the line would have really completed the package, though I'm aware there are other books that cover similar ground.
For Star Wars fans this is a must and for anyone with a general interest in film making it's full of rich detail and insight. Well worth it and it left me with a strong desire to re-watch the film.
This is a wonderful look at probably my favorite film - certainly THE film that defined my childhood and made me appreciate the imagination, dedication, determination, and true artistry involved in creating a modern movie. This book is concerned only with the writing and production of the original film - which should really be viewed as a stand-alone accomplishment, regardless of how well "Empire Strikes Back" turned out. A real treasure of a book.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Yes, this volume is extremely comprehensive and thorough. But what impressed me most after reading it, is that I finally understand why Lucas has continued to tinker and make changes to the movies again and again. "The Making of Star Wars" so clearly conveys his utter dissatisfaction with the process and final product of "Star Wars," that I finally understood that while we as fans may love the movie for what it is, warts and all, Lucas only sees a failed attempt at creating what he envisioned. I can only imagine how frustrating that must be.
Very well researched, written, and presented. Looking forward to ESB and RotJ.
Definitely the definite edition! Must-read if you're a star wars fan like me.