Scorsese on Scorsese: Revised Edition (Paperback)

~ David Thompson (Author), (Editor) "My parents were born on Elizabeth Street, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and worked in the garment district..." (more)
Key Phrases: last temptation, production designer, mean streets, New York, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

True to its title, this book lets Martin Scorsese speak for himself. In what is essentially a long and fascinating interview, David Thompson and Ian Christie encourage Scorsese to recall the whole of his life, from his childhood in Little Italy to the creation of his most recent films. More than any major director working in America today, Scorsese proves himself to be terrifically articulate and wonderfully open when speaking about his life and work. Scorsese on Scorsese also contains a biography, a filmography and lots of terrific behind-the-scenes photographs. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Martin Scorsese's challenging and often controversial films are a record of the most personal achievement in modern American cinema. Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Gooodfellas--these titles conjure up a world and a style of filmmaking that he has made his own, one of a savage beauty of great intensity and truth.

The interviews which make up this book chart the journey that Scorsese has taken across the years in search of new subjects to engage and absorb him, and in the process reveal a man who, like Michael Powell and Francios Truffaut, has an unbridled passion for film--a passion which is evident in every frame of his work.

This new, revised edition includes chapters on Goodfellas, Cape Fear, The Age of Innocence, and other projects up to Casino, thus bringing up to date the story of America's most exciting and articulate contemporary filmmaker.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber; Revised edition (January 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571220029
• ISBN-13: 978-0571220021
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #208,451 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Answers Scorsese Fans' FAQS, March 30, 2001

By	Renee Thorpe (Karangasem, Bali) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scorsese on Scorsese (Directors on Directors) (Paperback)

This reader felt almost privileged to read these interviews, lectures, and conversations with Martin Scorsese. He simply shares everything, and indeed he is, if nothing else, a true fan of movies!

The insightful words of Scorsese, arranged to parallel his filmography up through New York Stories, are annotated by the redoubtable editors Thompson and Christie. Scorsese is arguably the greatest postmodern artist, (and I would have to say the only postmodernist I unhesitatingly adore -with possible exception of Matt Groening), and the reader really gets to see how Scorsese constructs a film. His inspirations are as predictable as directors Pasolini and Powell, yet as diverse as Mahatma Ghandi and Little Richard. He loves all with equanimity and enthusiasm.

That's the joy of this book... the guy loves movies, loves making them, and all that energy just shines through.

Extremely valuable resource for the student of film, but good fun for the humble film buff, too. Bonus: interesting black and white photos you won't find elsewhere. Excellent (though naturally out-of-date) filmography appendix.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book That Would Satisfy ANY Scorsese Fan, July 7, 2002

By	Karen J. Ayers - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Scorsese on Scorsese (Directors on Directors) (Paperback)

I bought this book out of respect and deep admiration for Martin Scorsese. What I got was keen insight into a creative genius. The numerous interviews reveal a side to Scorsese that not many people see outside the camera. It's a lot more personal than that. When he talks about his movies, he ultimately parallels them to what his life was like at that time. So it's a fine blend of his personal life mixed with his professional life. There's also the obvious vibe that this man always was and always will be a student of film; his passion is infinite. Perhaps that's what makes him as influential and well-respected as he is.
You're the best there is, Marty!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good look at the Master at work, August 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Scorsese on Scorsese (Directors on Directors) (Paperback)

It's always interesting to hear from the Master himself what his thoughts is about all of his films. Like Truffaut's "Hitchcock on Hitchcock" this is a MUST for every film buff. Read it and emjoy.