Product Description
Few directors are characterized by both extraordinary film craft and the ironic reputation for lowbrow films. Despite his many achievements as a child of the Italian Cinecitta studios, however, Sergio Leone has been judged severely by writers who find his films lacking in ideas and moralists who find his films unduly cynical. Nevertheless, Leone’s greatest cinematic achievement, Once Upon a Time in the West, served to refute these criticisms while exposing the director’s unique romanticism and artistic ambition. As Leone’s fourth successful American western film, Once Upon a Time in the West earned him acclaim for liberating the western genre, restoring it to a place of antique American simplicity. The principal goal of this book is to sharpen an appreciation for Sergio Leone and his most famous American western. The first two chapters deal with the relationship between Once Upon a Time in the West and the western films that preceded it, particularly those of John Ford. Subsequentchapters concentrate on the central characters of Once Upon a Time in the West, with special attention to Jill, Leone’s first female protagonist and a surprisingly successful character, central to the plot and accorded a kind of existential strength usually reserved for men in Westerns. The sixth, seventh and eighth chapters address Leone’s visual style, which represents a unique fusion of Hollywood classicism and modernism, and reveals the influences of Italian Surrealism and the French New Wave. The final chapters explore the rhythm, romanticism, and musical character of Once Upon a Time in the West, espousing the theory that Leone’s approach to film is, above all, musical. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Teacher
I am writing this review solely based on having had Prof. Fawell as a teacher. We did a small section on Leone's Once Upon a Time in The West, and I found it incredibly interesting. Prof. Fawell makes learning a joy, and if his book is anything like his teaching style, than i URGE you to buy his book! ... Read more

Product Description
In the early 1960s, an unknown Italian film director named Sergio Leone was given USD200,000 and leftover film stock, and told to make a Western. With a script based on a Samurai epic, an American TV actor called Clint Eastwood, music composer Ennio Morricone and cameraman Massimo Dallamano, Leone was expected to make what was essentially a throwaway film. What he ended up with was A Fistful of Dollars, the first in a trilogy that came to define the Spaghetti Western. The films that complete the trilogy, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, are, like the first film, violent, cynical and visually stunning. This examination of Leone and the Italian Western contains an authoritative text written by film expert and cultural historian Christopher Frayling. It also includes interviews with Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Sergio Leone, Rod Steiger, Ennio Morricone, James Coburn, Lee Van Cleef, Peter Bogdanovich, Bernardo Bertolucci, Jason Robards and Claudia Cardinale, as well as writings by Sergio Leone on film.The text is accompanied by a wealth of visual material, including production stills, lobby cards, pictorial source sketches, costume and set designs, Italian release posters and photographs of original props. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Pasta & Pistols
Christopher Frayling's book, "Something To Do With Death" is the definitive work on Sergio Leone and the Italian Western. The book is also, in part, a biography of the Leone and traces his work in Italian cinema before he re-booted the Western genre. Although the book focuses on Leone's films, attention is given to the Westerns that were filmed by directors other than Sergio.

A truly wonderful book very informative and often funny. If you have an interest in Spaghetti Westerns I encourage you to search for this bok and add it to your collection. I believe it's out of print but there are used copies available.

Cliff Jacobs

Where was this 30 odd years ago?
Awesome reading for the die hard spaghetti western fan!

Leone is God, and this is the Bible
I worship Sergio leone. I've been a huge fan of his films since my childhood in the late Seventies. I've always wanted/needed a weighty, fact-filled bio-reference to illuminate his here-to-fore mysterious life/career. This is that book. More detailed than the expensive, picture-packed Italian book on Leone, S.T.D.W.D. will stand for a long time as the essential Leone tome. Literate, balanced, and exhaustive, this book is a triumph in every respect.

Masterful biography
There aren't too many directors who could inspire me to read a 576-page tome about their career. In fact, apart from a handful of auteurs to whom I'm still trying to speak and the dozen or so who have opened their hearts to Cashiers du Cinemart, there aren't too many directors I'd even like to read about. Yet, of all directors-past and present-it's only Sergio Leone's name that I've been scanning for when I troll the "directors biographies" section at Borders Bookstore. Sure, sure, maybe it'd be fun to read a nicely done work on Fritz Lang or Kenji Misumi but it's Leone who presents me with the biggest challenges.
This Italian mastermind helmed a handful of films, nearly all of which would rank among my favorites. More than creating some damn fine work, Leone's style influenced untold filmmakers. His films were operas powered by the music of Ennio Morricone. His dialogue's sparseness made it all the more powerful. Leone didn't shy away from embracing the language of cinema and creating his own dialect.

Remarkably, though Leone's filmography can be tallied on both hands, the breadth of rumours and conflicting stories are enough to easily fill Frayling's tome. Luckily, Fraying isn't above questioning the veracity of his subject. While never denying Leone respect, Frayling doesn't shirk his journalistic duty to present as many facets of the fiery, passive-aggressive auteur as possible.

Something to Do with Death takes its sweet time to get moving (I had to skip the second chapter and skim a few others before getting to the real "meat" of the book) but, once it gets going, there's little that can deter the reader from delving into the life of a truly enigmatic talent. (ISBN: 0571164382)

Brilliant
I cannot understand the first review of this book. I understood this book to be a biography of Sergio Leone, not a story about Spaghetti Westerns so I was pleasantly surprised when the author began by desribing the whole cultural background of Mr Leone. The book is certainly not without emotion, but the author has attempted to provide a detailed and unbiased insight into the life of Mr Leone.

Had the book been more "humourous" as per the intial reviwer thoughts, this would have diverted from the objective of a biography, as I am sure Sergio's life was not just fun all the time, no offense to the first reviewer ("You smell like a pig already, lets try not to make things any worse" Tuco's guard "The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly")

Mr Frayling has obviously researched his subject in a fantastically detailed way, constructing a clear picture of his life, not just by his films, but by the people around him. This is evident in that Sergio himself contacted Prof Frayling after reading his earlier book on Spagehtti Westerns as it contained information about Sergio's father that even he hadn't previously known.

Check out Cenk Kirals site for Sergio Leone info (he was thanked by the author in the book) ... Read more

Product Description
In the mid-1960s an unknown Italian film director named Sergio Leone was given $200,000 and some leftover film stock, and he went to make a Western. With an American TV actor named Clint Eastwood and a script based on a samurai epic, Leone wound up creating A Fistful of Dollars, the first in a trilogy of films (with For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly) that was violent, cynical, and visually stunning. Along with his later masterpiece, Once Upon a Time in the West, these films came to define the "Spaghetti Western," a genre that has influenced such contemporary filmmakers as Martin Scorsese, John Woo, and Quentin Tarantino.

Written by the preeminent Leone scholar, this is the first illustrated book to focus on his Westerns, illuminating his visual style, offbeat sense of humor, and sophisticated, elliptical way of telling stories. Augmenting the text are a wealth of visual materials, as well as interviews with Leone, Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Bernardo Bertolucci, composer Ennio Morricone, designer Carlo Simi, and others. The book accompanies an exhibition with the same title opening in July 2005 at the Autry National Center's Museum of the American West in Los Angeles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Sergio Leone westerns - book
Got my product in a timely fashion and I have no complaints. This is a gorgeous book; must-have item! - JB

Frayling is the Authority on Leone
British film historian Christopher Frayling comes through with another book about the great, polarizing Italian director Sergio Leone.

This book is medium on actual reading material but heavy on pictures- big, colorful, beautiful reproductions of film posters from the last 40 years.It only covers Leone's five Spaghetti Westerns (or Italian Westerns) that he directed, extensively.It briefly mentions the one he produced.Any true fan of Leone's Man with No Name trilogy will love this book.

If you are a big Sergio Leone fan, please read Frayling's masterful biography of him, "Something to Do with Death," available on Amazon.

Now, the nerd aspect:You may not want to pay for this book unless you actually understand movies.Frayling knows enough to interview people like the Director of Photography, but most Americans don't even know what that means.If you can name Leone's famous Production Designer, this is definitely the book for you.

Also, it is a joy to hear what went into "Once Upon a Time in the West," the finest Italian Western ever made and Leone's only true masterpiece.

Interesting
Really good purchase for S.Leone estimators.Interesting pages about behind the scene and some funny screenshots from the set.

Comprehensive and Enjoyable
This book is like an encyclopedia of Leone's Italian westerns. The detail on each film is exceptionable, and Frayling writes in a style that always keeps your interest. The research that went into this book must have taken years. Thanks for filling us in with all the behind the scenes material. Excellent job!

Great book for Leone's western fans
Highly recommended for fans. DVD owners will recognise Frayling as the man who provides some history & comments on the DVDs. The book contains interviews with actors, crews and later directors who were influenced by Leone. Also lots of posters (those days they were artwork) from different countries, production sketches & photos.

Note that this book concentrates on Leone's spaghetti westerns with only brief mentions of his other movies so it is not an autobiography. FYI, his first few movies were sword and sandals stuff.

In general, this is like the bonus materials of the DVDs but in a gorgeously printed format. ... Read more

Product Description
The Films of Sergio Leone examines the work of this Italian filmmaker who made his mark re-envisioning the American Western. The book examines each of Leone's major films as director, as well as My Name Is Nobody, which Leone co-wrote and guided as producer. The book also includes an exhaustive bibliography, discography, and filmography, completely updated for this new edition. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

a great textbook
As the prior reviewer says this is "Spaghetti Western 101."It would be a good text for a film class focusing on the genre.It reviews the history of the western in Italy, the pertinent biographical information on the most prominent artists, and gives an overview of the artistic and thematic concerns of the films.It's great for its analysis of Sergio Leone's work, and analysis of his ouevre in comparison to the westerns that had come before and those that would follow.It's limited number of color pictures, and its scholarly focus seem to make it less than ideal as a reference for the casual fan.

Spaghetti Western 101 - A "Must Have" for genre aficionados
I have very incidentally came across to this book when there was no internet, or any of these technological virtual capabilities. It was the spring of 1986, when a friend of mine called me up and said "there's something I saw in the bookshop at the film theatre, which is just for you.You must not miss it". It was the Istanbul Film Festival days, and the `thing' I must not miss was a book, called `Spaghetti Westerns - Cowboys and Europeans from Karl May to Sergio Leone' by Christopher Frayling.I went and saw the book on the shelf.I was stunned when I turned the cover page to see what's inside.There it was a two page wide picture of Lee Van Cleef, in `Colonel Mortimer' costumes.That famous artistic Van Cleef pose, looking out deadly with his Angel Eyes, waiting for Indio for `La Resa Dei Conti'.As soon as I saw that picture, even without reading the book, I said to myself this guy must have the same feelings as I have towards Leone's movies.Eversince then I have been reading that huge 284 pages book with full of interesting details and analysis.Every time I read it, I feel as if I am learning new things.I still refer that book quite often. He has also done television documentaries on Leone and Morricone for BBC.Christopher Frayling is very well known academician in the UK.He is the rector and the provost of famous Royal College of Art in London.I personally had the chance to meet with him, and had in-depth interviews on Sergio Leone..There's no doubt that he is one of the most knowledgable people on Leone. He has also just finished a bulky book on Sergio Leone's biography.He is planning the release around the fall of 98.He has years of deep experience about the Spaghetti Western genre.This book is the second edition to the first one, and a "must have" for all spaghetti western genre with lots of interesting details, profound analysis, and stills.I believe that it satisfies both theoratical scholars as well as film buffs.It is a book that sc! ientifically, and emotionally justifies the quality of Spaghetti Western film genre, which has been humilitated and overlooked by many film critics as ersatz film genre.Get the book, read it, read it once more, and then evaluate the genre afterwards.A lot of vista is waiting for those who hadn't read it yet.The book also contains details on the cut scenes of Leone's westerns, as well as their box office revenues.The section I must enjoy is the one on the influence of Spaghetti Westerns on American Western films.And, a last recommendation is: reserve one of the best spots of your library, which can be easily accessable for your future references.Get this book quickly, and wait for the soon-to-be-published "la grande finale":"SOMETHING TO DO WITH DEATH - The Life and Films of Sergio Leone"

VIVA LEONE !! VIVA FRAYLING!!! ... Read more

Product Description
The great American Western would never be the same after Italian director Sergio Leone's spaghetti-western revolution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Exquisite coffee-table reference on Italy's cult auteur
This fine book is an essential library addition to any fan of the late great Sergio Leone, Italy's supremely gifted-yet oft-maligned cult director. Jammed with gorgeous color and b&w photos, informative and often humorous interviews and back stories, De Fornari has put together a fine tribute/filmography that any Leone devotee, like myself, would treasure.

Once Upon On A Leone
Sergio Leone directed my favorite Western film - Once Upon a Time in the West with Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, Henry Fonda and Claudia Cardinale!Great behind the scenes book on the director and his many films (Once Upon A Time in America, Clint Eastwood Man with No Name Triology).Offering insight from his crew, cast and associates!Great pictures and text!And insight from the director himself.Though this price is quite steep! One of the best films books that I have read! ... Read more

Product Description
This is the definitive book on Leone's complete film work. In this first book-length analysis of Leone's work and vision, Cumbow discusses the director's unique contribution to the American western, the epic film tradition, and such masters as John Ford and Akira Kurosawa. Chapters are devoted to each of Leone's films as director. Includes a chronology of Leone's career, bibliography, and detailed filmography, including plot synopses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Rivetting and enlightening
One sadly cannot say that about many books concerning films or filmmakers.I am glad to say that this book is a glorious exception.Mr Cumbow is quite unlike the majority of movie intellectuals who are often are in love with the sound of their own jargon,actual and pseudo.There is no doubt that "Once Upon A Time" is the definitive work so far on the films of Sergio Leone.

Though envied for his innovative and daring shot compositions and characterizations,Sergio Leone was often dismissed as a revisionist and exploitation artist,at the same time a certain British director called Alfred Hitchcock was recovering from similar allegations.Often both their films were dismissed as pulp,in Hitchcocks case,B movies with A stars.However myopic reviewers often crippled by a misguided sense of moralism invariably miss the rich subtexts and simmering tensions sexual,social and various others just as interesting.Dario Argento was often referred to as the Italian Hitchcock.Argento was flattered but dismissed the remark by noting that he "I am Latin and my films are more passionate." Not to indulge in Victorian era style racial stereotyping but Argento is correct.He does find it difficult to disguise and conceal his rage,fears,passions and nightmares that make his films so gloriously over the top yet haunting and hypnotic.

Similarly Sergio Leone's closest description would be a Latin John Ford.John Ford also did not shy away from morally ambiguous men.But Leone took it a step further and seemed to have celebrated and exaggerated their persona to the extent that their every trivial mannerism which often were personally created by Leone is dramatic, executed with panache and almost Biblical grandeur .Dont let the Beat Takeshiesque poker faces fool you,an undercurrent of excitement and nervous energy are not the only things that simmer underneath.

The reason I mention all these things is that I cannot imagine that a person whose intellect and perception any less formidable than Cumbow's to do justice to these films and flesh out the characters in all their breathtaking mythical persona complete with often tragic flaws and their reaction to the rugged world(not just geographically!) around them.We see why and how Leone chose his gorgeous ,macho compositons and why he moved the camera in the scene in the graveyard with Eli Wallach in THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY atleast 10 years before Martin Scorsese. Courtesy of Cumbow ,we know Leone inside and out and how his Catholicism,misogyny,the silent film background of his father ironically coupled with the operatic heritage of Italy,his personal jaundiced view of the world and humanity are so inseperable from his films.Indeed many complained the Jewish gangsters in ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA look Catholic.It doesnt matter as Mr. Cumbow points out,not just the Jewish but even the gangsters in that film are window dressing for something that even more terrifying than the gangsters themselves,that is the omnipresent sense of doom that permeates the film wearing down your resistance much quickly than the "Spinal Tap" scene in THE EXORCIST.Cumbow reveals so many deciets, intrigues and other subtexts you missed in his films that you will be scratching your head with wonder and awe at the mastery and depth of Leone and the insight and perception of Cumbow.If nothing else this book should nay will make you enjoy Leone's films on levels you never thought you could!Its well worth it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Concise overview of Leone's works
This book offers a short biography of Leone and a history of the Western before getting into its main purpose: a concise synopsis and analysis of each of Leone's 7 films.As this book is only 90 pages long, the discussions of the movies are necessarily brief, so if you want a more complete study on either the movies or Leone himself, there are other, more in-depth books.

But for the price, "Sergio Leone" can't be beat in sparking the reader's interest in films of Leone. ... Read more

Product Description
Cinema Retro's eagerly-awaited limited edition Movie Classics tribute issue to the Sergio Leone/ Clint Eastwood Dollars trilogy is now shipping. In the footsteps of Cinema Retro's landmark Movie Classics special edition tribute to Where Eagles Dare, publishers Dave Worrall and Lee Pfeiffer present their most ambitious release yet: the most extensive tribute to the Clint Eastwood/Sergio Leone 'Dollar' film trilogy ever published. Years in the making, with contributions from prominent film historians from around the globe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Monkey and the Rocket
The book is about two monkeys who are apart of the NASA Program. The two monkeys go through tests and Sam passes the entire test with flying colors. Sam is sent up in space for the ride of his life. His friend Dr. Bob worries that he will not return and is scared. The book teaches a good lesson that you can be friends with anybody because the men looked at Dr. Bob when he hugged Sam. I would recommend this book for ages 3-10. I think it was a pretty good book in general and i would recommend this to other young people to try.

Monkey In The Rocket
Growing up is the cold war era of the early 1960's as a small boy of under 5 I was fasinated by the early NASA projects of that time.

My parents are gone now but I remember my mother telling me when a rocket launch would beand I would spend the hours glued in front of the television waiting forthe rocket to takeoff.

My father was an English teacher in WellesleyMassachusetts who had a love for books. One day to my delight, he broughtme "Monkey In The Rocket".

My dad read to me every night andthis book soon became my favorite!

I read it so often that visitorsthought that at 3 I was actually reading..."Sam and Bam are Monkeys.They are very special monkeys that live in a very special place... at theBlue Sky Rocket Base".

The book stayed in my memory and I can stillremember sitting with my dad as he would read it to me.

The book was funto read and was also informative (and probably an early recruitment toolfor future astronauts) telling about the basic procedures of the earlyspace program.

If I want to go back in time, I find my old tattered copyof "Monkey In The Rocket" and go back. If I dare try, I can findmyself on our old couch back home reading with my dad as my mother watchesfrom the kitchen. ... Read more