Scorsese on Scorsese: Revised Edition [Paperback]

David Thompson (Author), Ian Christie (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 14, 2004

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.

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.

About the Author

Ian Christie is the author of Arrows of Desire: the Films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (1985, 1994) and has written and edited four other books about their work. He has organised many retrospectives and played a part in the films' restoration. He is currently Professor of Film and Media History at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a regular broadcaster.

 

David Thompson, a film scholar, has edited or co-edited several titles in the Directors on Directors series, including Scorsese on Scorsese and Levinson on Levinson.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber; Revised edition (January 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571220029
• ISBN-13: 978-0571220021
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1 x 8.5 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 Best Sellers Rank: #82,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Screenwriting
  • #76 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Biographies

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

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

By Renee Thorpe

Format: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 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars insightful comments on the great and not-so great films of this master, by himself September 22, 2009

By Muzzlehatch VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Like the couple of other books in this series that I've read, this is done mostly in conversational style, clips from interviews originally, in most cases, with the questions edited down so that most of the space is devoted to the director's answers. Ordered chronologically by film, with a final brief chapter on "Goodfellas" (my copy is the 1990 edition) barely released at the date of publication for the edition I have. This has the advantage of making for a less repetitious book as the interviews don't normally cover the same ground twice - but also at times a somewhat scattershot one.

My favorite sections are those on RAGING BULL (lots of concentration on how the editing of the film went) and especially on THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (mostly dealing with how Scorsese came to the project, his feelings on the book by Kazantzakis, on the nature of Christ and on previous Hollywood portrayals - nothing on the protests surrounding the film's release) and Scorsese is uber-knowledgeable about film of course, and can usually be counted on to point out examples from many other directors whose work has influenced him - the book abounds with references to his great mentor and friend Michael Powell in particular.

Recommended for serious devotees of the director of course, but probably of some interest to the more casual film buff as well.

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

Format: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

Format: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.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master of His Craft, in His Own Voice March 3, 2007

By C. C. Black

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Now that Hollywood has finally given Scorsese his due with what amounted to a career-Oscar, the time is ripe to read the revised edition of this superb book. The questions asked of the director are intelligent, not fawning, and his answer's are lengthy and fascinating. The generous space devoted to his childhood and early years help one better understand why Scorsese has been so attracted to a particular genre and how he executes it so well. This director is, of course, immensely knowledgeable about the history of film, and his comments on other directors' work are fascinating. A readable mine of information about one of the most important popular artists of our time.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating peek inside the mind of a film master December 29, 2000

By John Dennett

Format:Paperback

I absolutely devoured this book, essentially reading in two sittings a day apart. A rare and privledged look into the mind of Scorsese in his own words, followers of his work will be thrilled with the insights and anecdotes. Anyone half-aware of the man's work can recognize the thought that goes into it, but these interviews reveal the incredible depth and passion for film and its history that underlies his craft.

An essential read for anyone that considers her- or himself a film buff.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Scorsese guides you through his life and american cinema July 10, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I thought this was a very good book, an essential for any scorsese or film buff. It's hard to take your eye's off it once you start you become entranced.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for the Scorsese-reverent July 6, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

There are few filmmakers more brilliant than Martin Scorsese, and this book provides wonderful insight into the sources of his obsessions. Almost any book on Scorsese is worth reading, but this volume gives equal time to his less-appreciated, (but no less wonderful), films like The King of Comedy and After Hours. By far, the most informative book on Scorsese yet.