Paul Verhoeven (Paperback)

~ Rob Van Scheers (Author), Aletta Stevens (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Controversial filmmaker Paul Verhoeven was born in the Netherlands on the eve of World War II. Moving to Hollywood, Verhoeven made three consecutive megahits: Robocop, Total Recall, and Basic Instinct. This biography by one of his countrymen includes material on Verhoeven's most recent films, Showgirls and Starship Troopers. 40 photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571174795
• ISBN-13: 978-0571174799
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,235,718 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of a director's career, April 1, 2002

By	Lisa Krause (Huntington, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Whether you're a Verhoeven fan, or just want to read an interesting account of a director's relationship with the film industry, this book will satisfy you. The author interviewed past Verhoven associates from the stars of his Dutch films to Michael Douglas, as well as longtime friends like cinematographer Jost Vacano (who has worked with Paul for 25 years). He also spoke at length with Verhoeven himself, getting some great quotes--not to mention insight--in the process. The translator has done an excellent job of making this book engaging and readable, unlike some biographies where the recitation of facts can get boring.

The book covers Verhoeven's childhood, early student days, his time in the military making documentaries, and his entire film career in detail from his first major Dutch production through the making of Showgirls. For the length of the book (only 300 pages) there is A LOT covered. If you are hoping to learn more about this rather infamous director you will not be disappointed.
There is a new chapter for each of his major Dutch and American films.

Besides the biographical text, there are some black and white photos before and after each major section and a complete filmography (through Starship Troopers). The book also has an index that is actually useful in finding the info you need.

I recommend this highly for anyone interested in Verhoeven--you might even find yourself surprised at how personable, intelligent, and funny he is.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a misunderstood man., December 18, 2000

By	"kjv31" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This is a fantastic biography of the director of The Fourth Man, Robocop, Basic Instinct, Showgirls and Starship Troopers. The first half of the book extensively details Verhoeven's childhood, education and early film career in the Netherlands, then switches to chapter-long "making of" stories on each of his American films up through Showgirls (Starship Troopers was still in production at the time this book was published).

Verhoeven is a VERY smart man and has led an intriguing life. If all you know of him is that he's "the pervert who made Showgirls," you'd do well to read this book. Good job, Rob Van Scheers!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb!, November 15, 1997

By A Customer

Everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask about the freaky Dutch filmmaker.