Evil Spirits: The Life of Oliver Reed (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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: 314 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Books (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753505193
• ISBN-13: 978-0753505199
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #855,571 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 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

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

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

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

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!!

5.0 out of 5 stars interesting lives , October 14, 2008

By	Peter H. L. Clark "Pete" (Auckland ,New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

havent read all of the book but - it gives a good inside into his life