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Conversations with Wilder [Paperback]

4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

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Product Details

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0009GIDSG
  • Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Cameron Crowe
Billy Wilder

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
(28)
4.6 out of 5 stars
See all 28 customer reviews
“ If you want to get on track to one day being a happy, laughing, feisty old man, buy this book. ” Richard Green  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
“ Cameron Crowe succeeds in getting that more personal story behind the director by asking tougher questions. ” Stephanie Perryman  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful and engaging read from start to finish December 10, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
"Conversations with Wilder" is an insightful and engaging book about the elusive and curmudgeonly Billy Wilder, one of the great filmmakers of the last century. Not being from his generation (nor Crowe's, for that matter) I knew very little about Billy Wilder other than The Apartment and Some Like It Hot. Crowe's book is extremely entertaining and filled with amazing photos from Wilder's life, both cinematic and personal.

More than that, "Conversations" mines deep into the bowels of Wilder's mind and pulls out gem after gem, great stories of an era in Hollywood that has long since passed. Just to hear (read) Wilder speak of Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, etc... and to get intimate details of Wilder's relationship with these luminaries, his thoughts and anecdotes about working with them, makes "Conversations With Wilder" well worth the trip. Crowe also manages to humanize Wilder, bringing out the charm, intelligence and of course the great Wilder wit, still very much alive at age 93.

As much as I enjoyed the interview portions (a great majority of the book) I equally enjoyed Crowe's interludes, describing Wilder with great insight, and weaving many humorous anecdotes himself about the great Wilder and Crowe's journey in writing the book.

This book is a must read not only for Wilder junkies, film fans, and anyone who has an interest in a time that has come and gone in American cinema, but is an entertaining read for the neophyte as well (like me). Highly recommended!

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Reading for Any Film Buff November 23, 1999
By Steven K. Marshall
Format:Hardcover
I just burned through this book in record time. Seeing Billy Wilder's thoughts and reflections upon his work is a true joy. His memory and acuity are amazing for anyone, but in particular for the 91-year-old man he was during this series of taped interviews with writer/director Cameron Crowe. Wilder's body of work almost comprises a compact history of the film medium. In assessing his own accomplishments, the maestro is both brash and humble. If you have anything more than a passing interest in film as an art form, this book is not to be missed.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Super, Moving, Funny History of Movies in US January 17, 2000
By MOVIE MAVEN
Format:Hardcover
Cameron Crowe, the author of this terrific book, knows not only what questions to ask but WHY he is asking those questions. Crowe has done his homework and knows almost as much about Billy Wilder as Wilder does, himself. Crowe reminds him and prods and teases and the result is one of the most interesting books I've ever read about Hollywood movies and the "system" that used to control them. The reader becomes so "friendly" with Wilder and Crowe throughout the book, that the ending becomes very moving. I recommend this book to any student of film of any age & anyone who just loves movies.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Wilder's Tips For Writers
This is a great book. Go to page 357 and see Mr. Wilder's tips for writers.

As a filmmaker it has been such a joy to read Mr. Crowe's CONVERSATIONS WITH WILDER. Read more
Published on January 23, 2009 by Bruce Merwin
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Book
Though less clear than Truffaut's book on Hitchcock (mainly because of Wilder's lack of interest in explaining himself) 'Conversations with Wilder' does echo that landmark book. Read more
Published on January 9, 2007 by Martin Koolhoven
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Enthusiastically recommended by Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies, the Hollywood Reporter, et.al. Read more
Published on November 19, 2006 by Richard Green
5.0 out of 5 stars great for any future film-maker
This book really allows the reader to visualize the type of person Wilder is. His character shines through in his words. Read more
Published on August 11, 2005 by Stephanie Perryman
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, touching, thoughtful, well-written
With this book, you see what a huge difference great writing makes when it comes to films. Crowe and Wilder are both articulate, thoughtful, and in love with film and words. Read more
Published on July 7, 2005 by K. Ahn
5.0 out of 5 stars Part of the bible
In the tradition of Hitchcock/Truffaut, a young master of the craft interviews an old one. One difference from the earlier book, Wilder's productive career was over, so covered... Read more
Published on July 26, 2002 by J. Foley
4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite as thorough as Hitchcock/Truffaut
Cameron Crowe does a great job of getting Billy Wilder to "open up," for certain. There was many interesting anecdotes and facts I previously did not know, so this book is the... Read more
Published on January 19, 2002 by Interplanetary Funksmanship
5.0 out of 5 stars An apt successor to Hitchcock-Truffaut...
...but a portrait of a very different artist. While Hitchcock was a "pure" director, Wilder was a writer who directed. Read more
Published on May 4, 2001 by Matthew Heffernan
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful biography.
Cameron Crowe does an excellent job interviewing Billy Wilder, a very reluctent and cagey Billy Wilder. Read more
Published on January 13, 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into the man
Billy Wilder is a man who loved making pictures (his term), and a man who takes responsibility for what he put on the screen. Read more
Published on November 17, 2000 by Don Eldredge
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