Customer Reviews

As Timeless As Infinity: The Complete Twilight Zone Scripts of Rod Serling Vol. 5

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Reprinting scripts to a television program we enjoy watching isn't very exciting. Even less interesting for people trying to study film making, which is the point of reviewing scripts. Very few exceptions make scripts worth any value -- one being a page or two of dialogue that never made it to the finished production or handwritten notes from the author. While this is a valid and negative point, I would like to note that the commentary and insight behind the production of each episode is a plus. In fact, the best part of the book.

I share the same opinion with another reviewer: Marc Scott Zicree's book is NOT the "final word on Twilight Zone." The author who put this series of Rod Serling teleplay scripts did a good job with the commentary which makes Zicree's book even more obsolete.

Sadly, more than half of the book is reprints of scripts. And if this series concludes with the intended ten volumes (I have no doubt it will succeed) it will only cover two-thirds of the Twilight Zone scripts since it will only focus on the Serling teleplays. And at a price tag of $55 - $299 per volume depending on where you buy your copy, this is an expensive proposition.

Amazon.com does offer a solution cheaper than the cost of even one volume of this script series. THE TWILIGHT ZONE: UNLOCKING THE DOOR TO A TELEVISION CLASSIC by Martin Grams Jnr. covers the entire series with 800 plus pages of behind-the-scenes trivia, exclusive interviews with cast and crew and a detail level will exceed anyone's expectation. if you are looking for a book that covers "everything" about the TV series, the Grams book is the one to invest. If you are looking for scripts to read, then this is your best source.

As for this Serling script book, don't buy this unless you want to spend hours reading the same dialogue you can watch on TV tonight.

If I had only one book to purchase from this series of Twilight Zone scripts, this would be the one. I like the inside look at Rod Serling through the comments of those who were close to him. I have found myself watching the DVD's of the episodes and holding the scripts to review them. I find it facinating to see how the lines are delivered by the actors with such little written direction. If has given me a greater appreciation of the talent of those who work in entertainment. I have have realized that delivering lines while acting the part is not such an easy task as many might seem. It takes a great deal of talent and coordination to play a part. Secondly, it is equally as facinating to see how the director of photography and used the same simplified directions for the camera and produced such excellent lighting and angles. There are also some interesting contract prints from some of the shows included in the book. Now, as I have stated, this book is definately for a person who is highly interested in the Twilght Zone. It is a prized addition to my Twilght Zone Library.