Jean Cocteau (French Film Directors) [Hardcover]

James S. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2006 | ISBN-10: 071905883X | ISBN-13: 978-0719058837

This is a comprehensive, original and accessible account of all aspects of Jean Cocteau's work in the cinema. It is the first major study in English to appear for over forty years and casts new light on Cocteau's most celebrated films as well as those often neglected or little known.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"James S. William's Jean Cocteau is both a welcome new study of the films of a versatile artist and director and a precious addition to Manchester University Press's useful series on French Directors.  His study elegantly weaves historical context, biographical element and in--depth analysis of the formal characteristics of Cocteau's films.  Williams produces an inspiring study and manages to suggest new paths in the exploration of the artist's unique corpus of film work.  This captivating book should thus be of interest to students as well as to specialists in cinematic culture" --Martine Beugnet, Edinburgh University, Journal of Contemporary European Studies

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

James S. Williams is Professor of Modern French Literature and Film at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Manchester University Press (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071905883X
• ISBN-13: 978-0719058837
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,568,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great biography of a fascinating artist!, December 20, 2008

By 

B. Satter (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jean Cocteau (Reaktion Books - Critical Lives) (Paperback)

James Williams has done a brilliant job of explaining Cocteau's life and work primarily through the lens of Cocteau's relationships with male friends and lovers. Williams writes with great wit and insight, balancing his sometimes harsh judgments with empathy and understanding of the monumental contributions that this deeply divided but unceasingly creative individual made in virtually every medium -- but particularly in film. The book is beautifully and bountifully illustrated with drawings by Cocteau, film stills, and extremely interesting images of Cocteau himself. This is a deeply learned book that one can easily read for pleasure, as I did - I read the first chapter on a whim and then simply could not put it down.