George Lucas: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series) (Paperback)

~ Sally Kline (Editor) "THOSE WHO KNOW GEORGE Lucas say that he has the temperament of an artist who works alone in an attic..." (more)
Key Phrases: film off the ground, sequel rights, original trilogy, Star Wars, American Graffiti, George Lucas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Producer/director/writer Lucas seems to have spent much of his career defending his work against the criticism that it is shallow and insubstantial. Famous for blockbusters, including American Graffiti and the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" series, he is often thought to have helped bring the industry into a new and, some would say, regressive era in which megabudgets, megastars, and special effects are paramount. In this engrossing collection of 18 pieces (some are actual interviews, some are essays with quotations incorporated), he comes across as a thoughtful and dedicated filmmaker whose talents for action, editing, drama, and storytelling are often overlooked by those who see his films as "junk food for the mind." He maintains that the huge revenues his films generate create more opportunities for art-house and independent films. Though guarded and impatient with those who expect him to be Fellini, he provides insight into the motion picture business. This book nicely complements the entertaining, pictorial George Lucas: The Creative Impulse (LJ 10/1/92). Recommended for public and academic cinema collections.ARichard Grefrath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

A director, producer, and writer, George Lucas is the power behind "The Force." The son of a conservative small-town businessman, he grew up to become arguably the most identifiable and popular filmmaker in the history of the medium. Yet unlike his more publicly engaged contemporaries, Lucas rarely grants reporters an audience.

This first book of Lucas's interviews affords fans and students of film and science fiction a rare opportunity. Editor Sally Kline collects conversations from the reticent director spanning Lucas's entire career, from the making of his first film, 1971's THX-1138, through American Graffiti, the triumph of the Star Wars trilogy, and even a 1999 interview given while awaiting the release of Star Wars: Episode One--The Phantom Menace.

In interviews from venues such as Rolling Stone, Playboy, and American Film, Lucas reveals his distrust of the Hollywood establishment, his love for making movies, and his unambiguous values and how those values translate into the epic clash between good and evil created when he explores characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.

Lucas revolutionized the movie industry and created the most successful film series of all time. Along with films of his close friend Steven Spielberg, Lucas's releases invented the notion of blockbuster movies. Before the end of the millennium, he could count the loyal fans of the Star Wars trilogy in the millions.

Sally Kline is film critic for The Journal newspapers. She has worked as a film commentator on a number of Washington, D.C. radio stations and as a guest lecturer at George Washington University. A freelance writer and researcher, she has contributed to two books, including a biography of Robert F. Kennedy.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578061253
• ISBN-13: 978-1578061259
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #839,137 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative but a little repetitive, December 28, 1999

By	Mario G. Perez Fonseca "Gerry Blue" (Guitarland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Well, this is a great book that helps you know more about the 20th century greatest myth maker: Mr. Lucas. Although the book is a little repetitive (You just can read so many times the story behind Thx or how he became a film maker) it lets you inside the professional life of a man known for not giving many interviews in a year. The best article is by far the 1997 interview-story that John Seabrook wrote. And here's a little note for the editors, in page 186, the writer mentions that Lucas adopted 3 daughters, so next print you may want to correct that one. Enjoyable book, but get the cheap edition :-)

1 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars STar Wars, yes, but what of the Grail?, March 6, 2002

By A Customer

Wouldn't it be great for Lucas to turn his genius to an epic for our time, one that has relevance. He missed Lord of the Rings. HE has a change to do Defenders of the Holy Grail, but somone will probably beat him to it. We need movies that connect us with today's emotions, GEORGE