William Goldman: Four Screenplays with Essays [Paperback]

William Goldman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

Marathon Man, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride, Misery. Author royalties donated to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.

Product Details

• Paperback: 502 pages
• Publisher: Applause Books (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155783265X
• ISBN-13: 978-1557832658
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Goldman has been writing books and movies for more than forty years. He has won two Academy Awards (for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men), and three Lifetime Achievement Awards in screenwriting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful companion guide to four great films, April 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: William Goldman: Four Screenplays with Essays (Paperback)

An enthusiastic 'thumbs-up' to William Goldman for including four essays to accompany his wonderful screenplays.

If you wonder why the author chose the idea of using the grandfather as the storyteller in the "Princess Bride" or how beloved Andre the Giant was on the set of the film then this book is a must-read.

Want to know which major scene with Kathy Bates in "Misery" was changed over the objections of the screenwriter? It's all here, colorfully annotated by the author in his essays that preface each screenplay.

The most entertaining book I've read so far this year (1998). If you've enjoyed these movies then, by all means, read this book!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Esential reading for all aspiring writers, September 28, 2002

By 

Graham Campbell (Galway Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: William Goldman: Four Screenplays with Essays (Paperback)

Most people have seen these four films. Far fewer have read the screenplays. Because of the diversity of the material and the quality of the writing, this book is truly essential to all writers, especially those who want to write for the screen. Goldman's screenplays are unique. In effect, he has invented his own screen language. He's that rare beast, a screenwriter who cares about style.
Prepare to be thrilled and inspired.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Four Quality Films by a Master, February 20, 2009

By 

D. Samms (Lynchburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: William Goldman: Four Screenplays with Essays (Paperback)

William Goldman is easily among the greatest screenwriters of our day. This includes four of his memorable scripts: Marathon Man, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Princess Bride, and Misery. The book includes all four screenplays together with an introduction by Goldman for each. The book is an excellent choice for aspiring writers, students of film, or collectors.