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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
Everything you ever wanted to know about the making of A New Hope (and then some). Somehow backwards-redeems the vision and audacity of the young George Lucas.
The early part of it was worth reading, even for a coffee table book. Excellent look into how the story developed with great extracts from actual notes and scripts. Would love to see more of that!
informative
medium-paced
This book was a really interesting look at all the difficulties George Lucas went through in creating Star Wars. It's strange to think about how different that movie and the times were, especially now in a post-Star Wars world.
I liked the use of sources contemporary to the time. It's refreshing to read people's doubts about the movie even being finished, let alone as successful as it was. I liked the discussion of the changes to the different drafts, and I really appreciated the appendix that included great summaries and notes for each of the drafts.
There is also a good deal of discussion of all aspects of the effects, from the models to props to sets to sound effects to music. Everything was touched on a little bit, although I would have liked a little more detail in some areas.
I only had one problem with the book, but it's rather significant. I read the paperback version of what is essentially a big picture book. There are several picture sections, but they don't capture nearly enough of what is being discussed. There are many, many references in the book to drawings or images that aren't present in this edition. That was really frustrating. Also, in keeping with the idea that "a picture is worth a thousand words," I think that's why the text was a little disappointing. If you were looking at all the imagery from the hardback edition, the text would be merely supplemental, and it would be just fine. Here, it seemed a little lacking.
Still, a good, interesting book. I'd probably give the hardback edition a full five stars.
I liked the use of sources contemporary to the time. It's refreshing to read people's doubts about the movie even being finished, let alone as successful as it was. I liked the discussion of the changes to the different drafts, and I really appreciated the appendix that included great summaries and notes for each of the drafts.
There is also a good deal of discussion of all aspects of the effects, from the models to props to sets to sound effects to music. Everything was touched on a little bit, although I would have liked a little more detail in some areas.
I only had one problem with the book, but it's rather significant. I read the paperback version of what is essentially a big picture book. There are several picture sections, but they don't capture nearly enough of what is being discussed. There are many, many references in the book to drawings or images that aren't present in this edition. That was really frustrating. Also, in keeping with the idea that "a picture is worth a thousand words," I think that's why the text was a little disappointing. If you were looking at all the imagery from the hardback edition, the text would be merely supplemental, and it would be just fine. Here, it seemed a little lacking.
Still, a good, interesting book. I'd probably give the hardback edition a full five stars.
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.