Harrison Ford: The Films [Hardcover]

Brad Duke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786420162 | ISBN-13: 978-0786420162 | Publication Date: February 4, 2005

Rugged actor Harrison Ford has been labeled one of the top 100 movie stars of all time, the sexiest man alive, the richest male actor, and the actor who has grossed more in the box office than any other in the history of film, yet he still has the appeal of an average guy, a hero to whom the common man can relate. He has worked in more than 40 films, as well as narration, documentaries, award shows, tributes, and television appearances, winning more than two-dozen awards, including the Lifetime Achievement award in 2000. This biographical examination thoroughly covers his life and career, concentrating most heavily on his films.

The work begins with Ford’s early life: his birth in 1942, early stage work, and his first film role (uncredited in 1966’s Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round). Throughout, significant events in Ford’s personal life are woven into the examination of his career. The main body of the work deals with his efforts in the film industry, covering in great detail such movies as American Graffiti, the Star Wars movies, Heroes, The Frisco Kid, Hanover Street, Blade Runner, Regarding Henry, The Fugitive, Sabrina, Air Force One, and K-19, concluding with the Indiana Jones movie slated for 2006. Over 30 films are closely examined, from their inceptions, writing, casting, sets, shooting schedules, stunts, Ford’s workouts, filming obstacles, clashes of personality, the films’ openings, box-office earnings, controversies, and reviews. Each film’s discussion is bolstered by many quotes from crew and cast, including Ford, and often includes intimate anecdotes. The work also mentions Ford’s efforts for conservation (and honors: species of ant and of spider have been named after him), love of flying and carpentry, and present roles as boyfriend to Calista Flockhart and loving grandfather. The work is illustrated with a wide range of stills and concludes with a bibliography and filmography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Well documented...written clearly." --American Reference Books Annual --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Brad Duke lives in Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 341 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (February 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786420162
• ISBN-13: 978-0786420162
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,985,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most outstanding book about the most outstanding actor, March 9, 2005

By 

Lynette Carrington (Gilbert, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harrison Ford: The Films (Hardcover)

Brad Duke's years of research, interviews and extensive travel have paid off in the biggest of ways in the form of 'Harrison Ford: The Films'. Duke's chronological peek at the stellar career of Harrison Ford is unarguably the most thorough, complete and compelling work that has ever come to the literary marketplace.
Commencing with Harrison's working class upbringing and intricately weaving it's way through years of legendary films, directors, actors, friends and business associates, 'Harrison Ford: The Films' could certainly be used as a textbook in a college course about Ford's life and career. This extraordinary book gives the reader a fly-on-the-wall look at the reclusive star's life, loves, personal passions, films and little-known philanthropic efforts. It is a rare feat when a Hollywood-themed book can manage to side-step gossip and innuendo and wind up with a true and accurate depiction of a man, an actor, a crazy business and the passion that fuels all three.
Utilizing little-known stories and interviews with industry big-wigs and insiders, the reader is "a-FORD-ED" with a rare glimpse of the movie industry and all it's workings and complications. Duke further encourages the reader with the use of easy-to-understand terminology and funny stories that, some of which, until now, have not been committed to print. You will certainly find this an easy read and an extremely insightful and funny look at the world's most popular movie star. Starting with Harrison's earliest work in television, the book faithfully chronicals the trials, tribulations and triumphs in such areas as co-stars, film budgets, script problems, studio clashes, risky stunt work and the toll that his work has taken on Mr. Ford himself.
I bought the book when it first came out and did not put it down until I was finished reading it. I found it poignant, interesting, insightful and absolutely charming. I'm sure you will too.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Filmography, December 17, 2005

By 

Thomas Wolslegel (Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harrison Ford: The Films (Hardcover)

Just the kind of book I was looking for. Being a huge fan of Harrison Ford films I wanted to read something to the point - the making of his movies. This is precisely what you get from Brad Duke's extremely well researched and complete book. Having this book along with my Netflix subsciption and I was in Harrison Ford film school. A book like this can add so much enjoyment to the movie watching experience. I would love to see more books exactely like this one for other great actors such as Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or any other you care to name. Duke's style is perfect for film fans who want to aquire a deeper knowledge of the films and actors they admire without the celebrity hoopla and nonsense and on the other hand without the over the top intellectualism of much film criticism that stuffs the shelves of most book stores. In conclusion, an excellent read and a very useful reference for the work of one of the finest actors of the last 40 years. A must for all fans.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book for Ford fans, August 7, 2005

By 

QuiGonHrafn "Raven" (Kopavogur Iceland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harrison Ford: The Films (Hardcover)

This is truly very well documented book about Ford's life and his films. The author goes into great detail about his films (maybe too much detail) and you will learn something new about Ford and his films. That is a promise. I thought I knew almost all there is to know about man - I was mistaken. But I have two complaints. First is the fact that all the photos in the book are in black and white. Not a big issue but I would have liked to see some color photos. And the second and more important is that if you are not a true 100% fan of Harrison Ford, the author's method may get boring. Although an excellent book, the author doesn't use much variety. Each chapter is filled with the same kind of information. Why Ford accepted the role, how the director got involed, how the script got wriiten, some technical element and the location, what Ford thought of the project, how it was received by critics and how much money it made. Finally we have Ford's view on the project. And although great for us Ford fans, it will certainly be a bit boring for the average reader midway through the book. But nevertheless this is a very good book for Ford fans and the best thing about this book is that it tells much more about Ford and his views than the previous books about Ford. There are more Ford quotes than in previous books. Usually it is mainly what Ford's co-worker and old school friend said about him. This is more what Ford has said and those closest to him. Therefore I recommend this book for everybody who are interesting in books about films/actors but warn the average reader that it may get tiresome midway through the book.