Customer Reviews

Tarkovsky

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a must have for the Tarkovskyphile. Splendid, decent-sized stills from the films, most not seen before, a selection of his dad's nostalgic poetry, and plenty of recollections from collaborators, followers, admirers, and analysts for mental fodder. It's big, bold and timely. It, of course assumes an experience of the films themselves. But if you have that, and they live inside you, this book is a welcome guest. Chapter headings;Russia and religion, Art and Nature, Music and Modernity, Memory and Awakening, are a foretaste of themes developed and the respondents are equal to the challenges without recourse to bewildering high-art jargon. I have often wondered how to articulate the drop-off in, Sacrifice' and found resonance in the pros and cons argued respectively by Bhaskar Sarkar's essay,'Thredony for Modernity' and James Quandt's,comparative piece on Bresson and Tarkovsky.Highly recommended.

I own several books on this unique Russian filmmaker, but was not prepared for the sheer size and content of this one. The book arrived in a box so big that I assumed had several books in. Though I have only started to scan through it, the photographs are amazing and the text is the kind one who seriously enjoys films can read. Not over done with "social content" or metaphor interpretations, but rather focuses on the real skill of making each film. Choice of camera work, writing, etc.

I look forward to getting through this book. Though is going to take some time!

I was very excited to receive this book in the post the other day. It has a whole heap of large and beautiful images from Tarkovksy's movies. And it is also beautifully designed which makes the text easy to read. I have only read a couple of pieces so far (its a huge book) but the memoir section is amazing. The piece from the guy who worked on Stalker says a lot of interesting things - what a difficult production process and what a film! I own a number of books on Tarkovsky and I think this is by the far the most comprehensive and detailed. It goes deeper than the others and explores new territory, such as the other directors and artists that Tarkovsky is connected to. Some of the pieces deal with philosophy but they aren't hard going. I think this is the perfect book for someone who has seen one of Tarkovsky's movies and wants to get a sense of what they mean. Its not a short introduction thats for sure but I think its totally unique. Excellent and beautiful tome.

Tarkovsky's images, even when they are still, they do impress for ever, like the ones in our family's picture book.

Actually, I'm a little disappointed with this book. While it is big sized and full of fine pictures and good essays, I still miss something. I would have liked more pictures from the production of Tarkovsky's films, sketches and early concepts, and also more pictures from Stalker and Solaris. And also larger pictures. This may sound like complaining too much on a great book, but that's how I feel. 3.5 stars. My advise is: check it out inside before buying.

an interesting collection of essays on tarkovsky. there are better books on him, i think.