Burton on Burton [Hardcover]

Tim Burton (Author), Mark Salisbury (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

With the Batman films, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Ed Wood, Tim Burton has established himself as one of cinema's great visionaries. Formerly an animator with Walt Disney, Burton's ascent through the studio system to his current position as one of Hollywood's most successful directors has been swift. But while his movies are box-office gold, his approach is distinctly personal. In this fascinating and enlightening book, Burton talks about his childhood in Burbank, his time at Disney, the recurring themes present in his work, and how his films are fuelled by emotion, symbolism and sometimes inner torment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Burton] is, to me, a true genius and I wouldn't use that word with too many people, believe me. You can't label what he does. It's not magic, because that would imply some sort of trickery. It's not just skill, because that seems like it's learned. What he has is a very special gift that we don't see every day. It's not enough to call him a filmmaker. The rare title of 'genius' is a better fit . . . in not just film but drawings, photographs, thought, insight, and ideas . . . I have never seen someone so obviously out of place fit right in."--Johnny Depp, from the Foreword

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Mark Salisbury is a contributing writer for Premiere maagzine. Among his other books are Behind the Mask: The Secrets of Hollywood's Monster Makers

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571173926
• ISBN-13: 978-0571173921
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,912,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like its subject... dark, involved, and challenging, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Burton on Burton (Hardcover)

If you've seen Tim Burton in a broadcast interview, chances are that you know that he is not the most fluid of speakers, and for this reason I approached this extended interview with trepidation. However, beneath the sombre dust-jacket is an energetic and lively human being, who infuses the most simplistic life experiences with an infectious enthusiasm which makes this book an absolute joy.

The prose simply sparkles with intelligence, and probably just scratches the surface of his brilliance. Burton impresses with his underlying sense of artistic integrity, but amazes with his heartfelt discussions about art and character. He wants you to share the sense of fun that these experiences have given him, and speaks passionately on many aspects of life. Here is someone not afraid to relate the most pedantic details if he considers them to have impacted his vision, and this is where the book excels most. In many ways, the talk about his actual films is comparatively mundane when compared to recollections of the experiences that shaped them.

Topped off with a selection of Burton's distinctive artwork, this is a fine addition to the library of any movie fan, and it will leave you in awe of one of a cinematic talent that defies categorisation. In the foreword, Johnny Depp calls Burton a genius, and having read the man's take on the world, I think that it's a label I wouldn't argue with. This book is an exemplary example of the interview form, and proof that the best medium for preserving discussion will always be the written page.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More like Burton on Burton's movies, April 26, 2005

By 

Pip - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burton on Burton, Revised Edition (Paperback)

When I first got my hands on Burton on Burton, I couldn't put it down. Tim Burton is a genius who has the ability to get under your skin, especially in movies like Edward Scissorhands. However, I would have enjoyed it more if it were more in-depth on the man himself, rather than his feelings on the movies he's created.

It's still a very interesting read, with amusing anecdotes (such as his description of working with Danny Elfman for the first time) scattered about. His sporratic descriptions scratch the surface of his personal life (for example, he discusses how Lisa Marie found their dog, Poppy) reflect his personality well.

It would be interesting to see another revised edition, covering from Apes onward.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Into the Mind of Hollywood's Most Original Director, April 5, 2005

By 

Gotham Girl18 (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Burton on Burton, Revised Edition (Paperback)

I bought this book wanting to know a bit more about one of my favorite directors, and I got much more in return. Burton writes about his life as a child growing up in Burbank, California, from his time at CalArts in Valencia, his stay at Disney, and the launching of his own directorial stardum. The forward, which is written by Johnny Depp, tells of their first acquaintance, and almost instantaneous partnership.

Burton really does go through much detail of his life, both in career and personal aspects, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Certainly a must for Burton fans, but also for anyone interested in knowing more about the creative genius behind such unforgettable masterpieces.