Evil Spirits: The Life of Oliver Reed [Paperback]

Cliff Goodwin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2010

Spanning 40 years and including 100 films, Oliver Reed's career began with Hammer Horror films but soon developed into international stardom. In May 1999 he died while making another film ? the hit blockbuster Gladiator. During his life, he became equally well-known for his off-screen exploits and blunt opinions but Cliff Goodwin reveals another side to this complex man, using material from first-hand interviews with Reed's family, friends and colleagues, together with never-before-seen photographs. Contains first-hand interviews with some of Reed's family, friends and colleagues, plus photographs from the family album Gladiator, Reed's last film, was dedicated to him and his performance was well reviewed by the critics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Books (March 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753505193
• ISBN-13: 978-0753505199
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outta here, April 29, 2003

By 

vinnie_caliper "vinnie_caliper" (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evil Spirits: The Life of Oliver Reed (Paperback)

Although the writing and story in general did not flow particularly well and it seemed to be a bit jerky with respect to the sequence of events, just reading about the sheer audacity, madness, debauchery, depravity, and wickedness of Oliver Reed's life makes for an adventure well worth [the money]. The book in itself is not, nor will it ever be recognized as a literary pinnacle, however as a means to record several snap shots in the life of Oliver Reed, it is truly remarkable as simply a documentary writ of a life which was full of excess. This is the story of which legends are made, however despicable the behavior, and regardless of how one apply there respective terms of morals, no one remembers mediocrity or exemplary behavior. However, one seldom forgets tossing a chair through the pub window, or helping your friend off the side of a balcony, sexual advances and behavior of which most people fantasize about. In the great dichotomy of life one also is privy to a man who maintained his personal and emotional loyalty to friends and family of which few in this world can demonstrate, albeit left of center.

Absolutely brilliant!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Workmanlike Bio, November 12, 2003

By 

Leona Malo (The Golden State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evil Spirits: The Life of Oliver Reed (Paperback)

For any avid Oliver Reed fan, this book doesn't contain anything new. However, for the cinema fan who admired Ollie's filmwork, it's a good intro to his life. When Ollie died, I was surprised to see that those of us in the American film industry viewed him more as a god of cinema, whereas the Brits viewed him as a god of debauchery. Since this book was written for the British audience, it focuses more on Reed's flamboyant side, but then Ollie was a one-of-a-kind rogue. Compared to the hypocritical stars of today, Ollie stands out as a true individual with a set standard of living. A great man, but the true story is still being written.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written and reseached book on a very confusing guy, September 30, 2010

By 

Robert W. Grandcolas "Stiggs" (Eatontown, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evil Spirits (Hardcover)

Well written, researched and fair coverage of a talented actor who, in his private life (and sometimes his professional life) was a drunk, a lunatic, a dangerous practical joker, irresponsible, inappropriate, unpredictable, out of control, sometimes self destructive and very confusing. And I mean confusing! - by the end of the book I could not get a handle on this guy or what made him tick except that maybe he was easily bored, and very silly - not witty - perilously silly and way too damn big for his own good or anyone else's for that matter. I was not sure whether any of the crazy things that Reed did were because he was deliberately aping Keith Moon, or putting us on or due to some sort of twisted personality disorder. Did Reed even know? In any case - from reading about his antics - he must have been a hell of allot of fun to watch after a few drinks - but only from a distance.

The book is a fun read simply to get to the next of Oliver's nutty activities. Just bear in mind that you will come away with no insite into why this guy was so incredibly crazy and wreckless and there is next to nothing to learn about acting. But who cares about that.

If for nothing else - the book serves as good lesson on how not to behave, get yourself black listed, ruin your career, a marriage, a few friendships or anything else you want to ruin.

On a side note Ollie's wife Josephine was a doll - when she became part of the story - it became kind of romantic - sniff - I guess it was because her patience and support for Ollie in spite of his antics is every guys dream. Wish there were more of her.