Customer Reviews

Scorsese on Scorsese: The Update (Directors on Directors)

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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 Excellent (though naturally out-of-date) filmography appendix.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.