Kubrick: The Definitive Edition [Paperback]

Michel Ciment (Author), Gilbert Adair (Author), Robert Bononno (Introduction), Martin Scorsese (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2003

With a new Introduction by Martin Scorsese.

If Stanley Kubrick had made only 2001: A Space Odyssey or Dr. Strangelove, his cinematic legacy would have been assured. But from his first feature film, Fear and Desire, to the posthumously released Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick created an accomplished body of work unique in its scope, diversity, and artistry, and by turns both lauded and controversial.
In this newly revised and definitive edition of his now classic study, film critic Michel Ciment provides an insightful examination of Kubrick's thirteen films--including such favorites as Lolita, A Clockwork Orange, and Full Metal Jacket--alongside an assemblage of more than four hundred photographs that form a complementary photo essay. Rounding out this unique work are a short biography of Kubrick; interviews with the director, as well as cast and crew members, including Malcolm McDowell, Shelley Duvall, and Jack Nicholson; and a detailed filmography and bibliography.
Meshed with masterful integrity, the book's text and illustrations pay homage to one of the most visionary, original, and demanding filmmakers of our time.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As a director known for controversial films such as Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, and A Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick repeatedly bucked the Hollywood mainstream, emerging as an outsider who resisted the scrutiny of conventional film criticism and biography. French critic and film historian Ciment, who has published books on Elia Kazan and John Boorman, approaches Kubrick's oeuvre with an eccentric sensitivity that serves the subject very well, as when he compares the raw and bizarre lingo of the grunts in Full Metal Jacket with the Nadsat language of the droogs in A Clockwork Orange. His analysis of the conflicting forces of reason and passion in 2001: A Space Odyssey is typical of the illuminating criticism throughout. Realizing the value of hearing from the reclusive Kubrick, who disliked discussing his work, Ciment includes three interviews with the director on specific films, as well as interviews with colleagues, actors, and production crew members. The present volume is the latest revision of the original French edition, Kubrick (1980). An excellent companion to the definitive biography, John Baxter's Stanley Kubrick: A Biography (LJ 10/15/97), this is recommended for academic libraries and cinema collections. Richard W. Grefrath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A must-have for fans . . . Kubrick gives us an in-depth portrait of a filmmaker willing to go to almost any lengths to insure the integrity of his work . . . a fabulous compendium about a one-of-a-kind moviemaker." --Joe Meyers, Connecticut Post

"A galvanizing education in filmmaking. It would make a lavish gift for Kubrick-philes . . ."
--Michael Sagrow, The Baltimore Sun

"A rich brew in which the text and the images carom off each other in a very provocative way. If you have room for only one book on Stanley Kubrick, this is undoubtedly the one."
--Scott Eyman, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Kubrick . . . has remained the standard work of reference on the man who created such masterpieces as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dr. Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange and Barry Lyndon. Now, Ciment has outdone himself [with] The Definitive Edition . . . For the Kubrick fan-indeed, for anyone interested in cinema-this book is a must."
--Bob Leddy, The Providence Sunday Journal

"Forces us to . . . look freshly at a serious artist." --Richard Schickel, Los Angeles Times Book Review

"Stanley Kubrick was one of the only modern masters we had, and this final edition of Michel Ciment's definitive book is an invaluable resource." --Martin Scorsese

"This is as good as it gets on directors and without question the definitive work on Kubrick. With encyclopedic knowledge and informed insights, Michel Ciment explores and illuminates every single aspect of the work of this film giant. He is as meticulous and painstakingly thorough as Kubrick himself--and that's almost impossible."
--Sydney Pollack

"Michel Ciment's Kubrick: The Definitive Edition remains the best work on the great director. Through it we get a glimpse into a working method that was unique in the cinema. It is a fascinating blend of interviews and analysis." --Joel Coen

"As the leading French film critic, and a member of Kubrick's small circle of confidants, Michel Ciment brings a special insight to this invaluable study of the great director."
--Roger Ebert

"Michel Ciment has given us a gift, a thorough and intense examination of the work of Stanley Kubrick. The range of Ciment's knowledge combined with his passion for the art has fused to make the world of cinema more accessible to readers."--Elia Kazan

"Michel Ciment's Kubrick is unlikely ever to be surpassed as the definitive evocation and celebration in prose and in pictures of the complex artistry and dynamic imagery of the already legendary Stanley Kubrick, one of the most striking cinematic talents of our time."
-Andrew Sarris

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (September 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571211089
• ISBN-13: 978-0571211081
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,117,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DEFINITIVE, INDEED!, November 30, 2001

By 

S. Henderson (Hazlet, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kubrick (Hardcover)

I am glad Mr. Ciment waited until Kubrick's oeuvre was completed before updating what is, indeed, the very last word on this very unique artist's films. Everything is here from the first edition which was out-of-print for quite awhile plus the films that were made after. With Stanley Kubrick's death we now have the very best study of the themes, techniques and recurring visions of a very singular artist. Anyone who wants to understand the evolution of Stanley Kubrick can disregard all the other flawed books out there and put this one on the shelf as a keeper. With detailed analysis and tons of pictures, any serious fan of his films will appreciate this as only the subtitle says it is - the definitive edition.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview of entire Kubrick's career, January 11, 2004

By 

SPM "scott_maykrantz" (Eugene, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kubrick: The Definitive Edition (Paperback)

With Stanley Kubrick dead and his final film released, Michael Ciment had the opportunity to update his biography/analysis of the great director's career. Rather than rewrite the entire book, he's decided to update it with new interviews and an additional chapter or two on Eyes Wide Shut. (The previous edition was updated to include Full Metal Jacket.) He's also added a lot more photographs --- stills from the films and images of Kubrick at work. The photos of Kubrick working on EWS are particularly interesting.

Early in the book, after a short biographical chapter, Ciment goes through a list of common motifs in Kubrick's films. These include the use of masks, actors in dual roles, character playing games such as chess and cards within the film, circular set design, and a close shot of a main character's eye. Because this section was not updated to include Full Metal Jacket or Eyes Wide Shut, you can decide for yourself if these motifs were carried on in the those two films. (In my opinion, many of the motifs are not found in his last two films.)

This is followed by an essay on 'Kubrick and the Fantastic,' a dull and pretentious piece that doesn't add much. It leads to the best part of the book, the second half, in which Kubrick and his collaborators are interviewed. Kubrick responds to questions with answers that are full of information, but he's evasive when he describes his own films. Later on, the author explains why: Kubrick felt his movies should be self-explanatory (after multiple viewings) and didn't like the "What's this movie about?" question.

The interviews with actors, set designers, co-writers, and costume designers are very good. Everyone has the same reaction: Kubrick exasperated them as he demanded their best work . . . but they wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. It's a testament to Kubrick that he choose people who were not petty. (The only sour note is Frederick Raphael, the co-screenwriter for Eyes Wide Shut. He seems smart, but not in Kubrick's league.)

If you're a casual Kubrick fan, this book is a worthwhile introduction. The photos are very good and, as an overview, it's excellent. It is, however, pretentious at times in the analysis of the films. For the hardcore Kubrick fan who has read (or is planning to read) everything on the director, this book ranks third or fourth. Read Baxter's and Herr's books first.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most precious visual book about Kubrick., January 1, 2001

By 

Dajillo (Japon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kubrick (Hardcover)

Now I own this book. 5,6 years ago, I bought this at second hand book store. So book I have is second handed one, and Japanese special edition. As other reviewers say, it's very very great pity that this book is out of print now. I think some publisher had better make new edition title, added to a visualy wondeful film-Eyes Wide Shut!! If you have found it at bookstore and you are a Kubrician, you must take it, buy it, bring it your home, and enjoy these so many precious fotos or very important his interviews in this book. I have various books about Kubrick, but this Michel Ciment's Kubrick is the best book in published ones ever I think. Do your best for finding one!! All your efforts for this book would not be wasted, EVER!