William Friedkin: Films of Aberration, Obsession, and Reality [Paperback]

Thomas D. Clagett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin, long recognised for his technical brilliance, has had a career marked by extreme successes and failures. Among his successes are the two highly popular and highly regarded films, 'The French Connection' and 'The Exorcist', both now considered classics of their respective genres. This well-written, insightful study of Friedkin's films, which pays particular attention to the evolution of his cinematic style and choice of subject material, is based on nearly 100 interviews with Friedkin and his colleagues. New to this second edition are three chapters covering the last five years of his work (which include 'Rules of Engagement' and the much-publicised re-release of the director's cut of 'The Exorcist').

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Press; 2 edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879505614
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505612
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,831,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An obsessed man in Hollywood, January 4, 2005

By 

N. P. Stathoulopoulos "nick9155" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: William Friedkin: Films of Aberration, Obsession, and Reality (Paperback)

This is one of two books on William Friedkin, the other being the out-of-print Hurricane Billy, which is a straight biography.

Clagett's work is more academic, but it's one of the better examinations of a director and his work, heavily relying on the thoughts and ideas of the filmmakers (collaborators included). The analysis is done through the filter of the thoughts, ideas, intentions, and inventions of the filmmakers. It chronicles Friedkin's influences and work from his television days right on through to Rules of Engagement (this volume is a revised edition, as the original 1990 one only went to The Guardian). The chapters are smartly broken up into two parts: one is a detailed reading of the film, noting the details and imagery, the other is about the making of the film, with comments from Friedkin himself, the best part of the book, and with the many collaborators and players.

The result is a body of work that is consistent with Friedkin's personality and interests, if not consistent in overall quality. This serves as an excellent depiction of a strong personality, an obsessed man, in many ways, and the conflict of directing 'Hollywood' films but with an outlaw element. Friedkin's films do come off as consistent: there is a gritty, cynical attitude, and the endings are not typical--there's hardly a film in Friedkin's catalog that ends happily ever after.

Overall, an excellent book. Friedkin comes across loud and clear in this book: obnoxious, intelligent, honest, funny, and a total character who made some excellent films.

5.0 out of 5 stars William Friedkin, November 6, 2010

By 

Fernandez Pedro "Steven Pedro" (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: William Friedkin: Films of Aberration, Obsession, and Reality (Paperback)

This is one of the only two books about William Friedkin and as a big fan of his, i have to say its the best book out there about him and his films. This book is an analysis of his films and who he is as a person, someone whose not only passionate, obsessed, but also crazy. It has everything you need to know about his film career from the documentary period to the 2000 rerelease of The Exorcist. I wish there's a new 3rd updated version that would include The Hunted, Bug, CSI, and his upcoming project Killer Joe, but other than that its a fascinating book that's not only engaging, compelling, entertaining, hilarious but also inspiring. William Friedkin is indeed one of the greatest American directors ever. The master of realist action, hand held cameras, thrillers, ambiguous endings, and car chases.

5.0 out of 5 stars William Friedkin : Films of Aberration, Obsession and Realit, April 4, 2000

By 

"nodachan" (tokyo, japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Friedkin: Films of Aberration, Obsession and Reality (Library Binding)

I'm looking forward to seeing his new movie "rules of engagement". I have thought him the greatest director in the world for a long time. And this book certify you that I'm not wrong. Now I know his effort of making many famous pictures I already saw, for exanple, The French Connection & The Exorcist. And this book answers my curiosity about his steps of filmmaking from his early days as a TV director to recent day. You'll see that he's not a lucky guy but a talented genius like Spilberg.