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Artisan, entrepreneur, and impresario, British filmmaker Ridley Scott accepts the profit motive as the only way to thrive in an industry where there is little patience for artistic flourishes or overblown expenses. Yet, while he may pay lip service to the free enterprise system, he is an unapologetic auteur, committed to using every element of film-from evocative lighting to digital composition-to overwhelm our senses and redefine how we perceive the future (Alien, Blade Runner), the past (1492: The Conquest of Paradise, Gladiator), and the present (Thelma & Louise, Black Hawk Down).

This collection of interviews follows Scott over twenty-five years as he perfects the Ridley Scott look, builds his media empire, and reacts to the twenty-year cult status of Blade Runner. Throughout, he discusses the triumphs and challenges involved in working with A-list actors-particularly such women as Susan Sarandon, Sigourney Weaver, and Demi Moore-and big-budget special effects. Scott emerges as a consummate English gentleman who acknowledges the legacy of the futuristic Blade Runner and Alien but who also is adept at taking the pulse of contemporary American culture.

Unlike many of his colleagues in the U.S., Scott did not attend film school. Instead, he developed his visual sensibility at London's Royal College of Art. Years in television production gave Scott the clout and confidence to revitalize feature filmmaking. He hit the jackpot with Alien but ran into financial and logistical difficulties with Blade Runner and Legend. In response he shifted his attention to more contemporary genres, offering a continental perspective on America in Black Rain and Thelma & Louise. By the late 1990s Scott had achieved both critical and commercial success with Oscar-winning films Gladiator and Black Hawk Down.

Laurence F. Knapp, Highland Park, Illinois, is an instructor and lecturer on film studies at Northwestern University and is the editor of Brian De Palma: Interviews (University Press of Mississippi). Andrea F. Kulas, Park Ridge, Illinois, is an independent media consultant and a contributor to 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Key of Ridley's Kingdom
I usually own all the movies directed by my favorite directors. Even their lesser achievements often prove to say a lot about them. And you usually get to understand the man (if not know them) through their filmography.
I must admit that I never thought of Ridley Scott as one of my favorite directors until I read this book. I never actually realized that I actually own all his movies! and the reason for that is because I was not always connecting the themes and constants all along his career. If you take Alien and Thelma&Louise, one could wonder what is the link between the 2 films. I am not saying that we should always try to connect every filmmaker's movie to his previous ones but after reading Ridley's interviews, I really started understanding the man's endeavour. All through the interviews, spreading from 1975 to 2000, he actually never discusses politics or mystical matters. He is a filmmaker with a pragmatic approach to his art. Coming with an art director background, he likes to build his movies. At some point, it is said he likes to create universe. And this is the connection between all of his movies: the sets speak for Ridley. He seems to take acting very seriously as well so he is not just painting on the surface; content does matter equally as the surface but Ridley works in subtle touches. He obviously demonstrates through the years that he leaves nothing to chance.
Highly recommanded.

candid in depth interviews
This book is a great buy for anyone interested in Ridley Scott or in filmmaking in general. His interviews if looked at closely reveal mountains of filmmaking knowledge as it goes through most of his major motion pictures in a series of varying inteviews dating from around 70's to when the book was published. True film buffs might get a good bit of pleasure out of this text as well.

An arresting account of the great film director Ridley Scott
I've been a fan of Ridley Scott's films since I first began to study film as an art form and not just as something to do on a weekend. Your eyes are never bored, he constantly produces great images to take in and transport you to new worlds. The level of immersion he allows an audience to indulge in is amazing, there are not too many other filmmakers who are able to do this.

This interview book starts at his early beginnings at art school and his long and lucrative foray into the commercial world and proceeds chronologically through Matchstick Men. There is some mention of Kingdom of Heaven, but no heavy material, as this book was published around the same time this movie came out.

Although a couple of the articles were somewhat familiar to me, most were first time reads for me, and so the book was very fresh and informative. Some of his lesser known or less popular films like White Squall and 1492:Conquest of Paradise have some very good making-of articles and were the most surprising. Much is discussed about Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma and Louise, which is a given, but this doesn't diminish their interest.

What unfolds is a well drawn picture of a man who didn't start making features until he was nearly 40, whose film career has had its ups and downs over the last nearly three decades, yet who has not tired of making pictures that stretch over vast and small spaces and will hopefully continue to innovate and challenge audiences for years to come. I highly recommend this book for his fans, and for those who have taken even passing interest in his films. ... Read more

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Product Description
The official illustrated companion book to the winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Costume Design, Sound, and Visual Effects.

Director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Alien) brings the glorious battles of the ancient Roman arena back to the big screen. Set against the splendor and barbarity of the Roman Empire in AD 180, Gladiator tells an epic story of courage and revenge: The great Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) has been forced into exile and slavery by the jealous heir to the throne, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Trained as a gladiator, Maximus returns to Rome, intent on avenging the murder of his family by Commodus, now emperor. The one power stronger than that of the emperor is the will of the people, and Maximus knows he can attain his revenge only by becoming the greatest hero in all the Empire.Russell Crowe heads up an international cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielson, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, and Richard Harris. Directed by Ridley Scott from a script by David Franzoni and John Logan, Gladiator is produced by Franzoni, Douglas Wick, and Branko Lustig, with Walter F. Parkes serving as executive producer.

This is the official full-color companion book, featuring excerpts from the screenplay, historical sidebars and illustrations, details on period costumes and epic set designs, behind-the-scenes photographs from the location filming, and interviews with the screenwriters, actors, and director.Amazon.com Review
Historians not affiliated with the movie Gladiator praise it as the most realistic depiction of Roman combat ever committed to celluloid. Gladiator: The Making of the Ridley Scott Epic illustrates how the filmmakers achieved that authenticity. It's the official tie-in, and one of the handsomest movie books Newmarket Press has ever produced. (No, it's not as fancy as The Art of the Matrix, but it's not that kind of massive book--this one is for the howling yet discerning fans in the cineplex coliseum.) The filmmakers explain how they coped with the considerable weight of Roman movie tradition--"Transcending the Toga," they call it--mostly by drawing their inspiration more from Gérôme's 1872 gladiator painting Pollice Verso ("Thumbs Down"), an evocative rendering of the life-or-death drama subject to the emperor's whim. Ridley Scott is famous as a director (the modern equivalent of an emperor), but he started out as a painter at London's Royal College of Art, and his training has served him well.

Explications of scary stunts and ingenious special-effects scenes, crisp film stills, fascinating storyboards, architectural renderings, thumbnail histories, cast profiles, production drawings of boar-tusk helmets and spiky maces--this little book packs in a lot of information, and enlarges one's appreciation of a very big movie. --Tim Appelo ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Gladiator
Great book.Love it.Cool pictures and sketches from the production included.Quite a few awesome full page pictures from the film.

Present for a fan
I bought this as a present for my boyfriend since he is a big fan of
this movie. Just got the book in the mail yesterday in good condition.
He'll really love it. I recommend buying it for the Gladiator fan in your life. :)

A great book from a great movie
This is a fantastic 'making of' book charting the fascinating process of filmmaking from script to screen. And it doesn't skimp on the color pics either. Ridley Scott' epic GLADIATOR is given the full epic treatment here, with accolades aplenty and no shortage of impressive obstacles faced while making the film. I love all of Scott's films, from The Duelists to the recently released Kingdom of Heaven. But sometimes the accompanying books don't quite match the majestic tone of the films themselves. This is different. Walter Parkes' treatment is fair and doesn't fail to connect with the reader. Showcasing all the necessary film techniques and humorous asides along with abandoned concepts, this also contains cast and crew thoughts and praises Scott for his remarkable visionary touch. A solid read and well worth the price. Buy it now!

awsome!
this book is awsome although I would have prefered more pictures of the cast on location.

awsome!
this book is awsome although I would have prefered more info on the cast on the set. ... Read more

Product Description
From his first feature film, The Duellists, to his international successes Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and American Gangster, Ridley Scott has directed some of the most compelling films of the last 30 years. The Ridley Scott Encyclopedia is the first book that focuses on all aspects of his work in a wide-ranging career that spans nearly 50 years. Each entry is followed by a bibliography of published sources, both in print and online, making this the most comprehensive reference on Scott's body of work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Scott! Why Has This Book Been Ignored?
I am amazed that such a book as this one on Ridley Scott, a major player who has directed Films that Matter, including several cult hits, has not inspired reviews to note its accomplishments.This Raw treatment is anything but "raw."It is surely ambitious in its attempt to cover a long and productive career, struck in cinema, then extended to television through the "Scott free" enterprise with Ridley's brother Tony (who has been productive enough to deserve his own book, but who is of necessity included here for the time being).
The trick to such an "encyclopedic" approach is not so much to know where to begin, but where to stop.Should Gordon Matthew Sumner of Wallsend, Northumberland, be included, for example--better known as "Sting," who sings the title song for SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (1987) and who provided the music for WHITE SQUALL (1996)?Or how about Evangelos Odysseus Papathanssiou, better known as "Vangelis," whose layered music graced the dystopian BLADE RUNNER (1982)?Does the $200 million fiasco WATERWORLD (1995) deserve an entry because it was directed by Kevin Reynolds, who would later direct TRISTAN + ISOLDE in 2005 for Scott?With regard to influence, entries tend to become even more wildly allusive:Did TRIUMPH OF THE WILL influence GLADIATOR?Did THE THIRD MAN's noir style influence THE COMPANY?Even so, such entries will probably be of interest to Scott's fans.With regard to TV, the book offers much detail about such programmes as NUMB3RS, including a breakdown of episodes, complete through Series 4 (as of May of 2008).
... Read more

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Ridley Scott won the 1977 Cannes Film Festival prize for his debut feature The Duellists, dazzled audiences with Alien, created the futuristic noir of Blade Runner, and then hit the road with 1991's Academy Award nominee Thelma and Louise. This entertaining biography and informative reference captures Scott's individual style of movie making. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

RIDDLE ME THIS
RIDLEY SCOTT HAS DIRECTED QUITE A FEW MOVIES I HAVE SEEN AND ENJOYED.BLADE RUNNER, LEGEND, GI JANE AND GLADIATOR ARE ALL GOOD. HIS MOST FAMOUS AND BEST IS THE SCIFI CLASSIC HORROR ALIEN. THIS BOOK GIVES A LOOK AT BEHIND THE SCENES OF SOME THESE MOVIES ALONG WITH SOME PHOTOS. RIDLEY SCOTT PRODUCES MORE MOVIES THAN HE DIRECTS NOW. PAUL SAMMON DOES A NICE JOB AND GIVES THE READER AN ENTERTAINING AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT A GOOD MOVIE MAKER. RECOMMENDED FOR MOVIE BUFFS.

Ridley Who???
Ridley Who?...Ridley Scott nonetheless!...this guy has to be one of my all time favorite directors. Alien, a masterpiece...Blade Runner yet another...Legend (Legend?) I am just discovering. Paul Sammon writes inadetached manner typical of this type of material, he doesn't come close toexploring what is behind Mr. Scotts imagination and his drive to make theperfect picture...that's a shame considering his being able to getone-on-one interviews. What is prevalent are the small details about thesefilms that make them so endearing...the chapter on Legend stands out as amust read. It is apparent that there are alot more interesting facts aboutthese movies on the internet than in print, a fact Mr. Sammon seems to haveoverlooked with just one web reference throughout the entire book. Notnearly as good and comprehensive as his other book "The Making ofBlade Runner", but still an enjoyable read for the aficionado.Hopefully the "Making of Aliens" will be some what better, andworth the wait (seems like two ice-ages have passed since it wasannounced!). Some typos throughout, marks for originality 7 out of 10,cover colour scheme -1 out of 10. ... Read more

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The first academic evaluation of the work of this major film director aims to study both his aesthetic achievement and the underlying themes and values he projects. Working within the boundaries of many diverse popular genres, Scott has infused his works with new energy through both a strong formal sense and a cohesive world view. In such films as Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and the recent blockbuster Gladiator, Scott addresses the tensions between institutions and individuals, passion and reason, and social order and personal freedom. ... Read more

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Four years after the Revolutionary War, America's independence was still in doubt. To survive, the new nation needed money and a vital surge in trade. In the back rooms of Boston, a daring plan was launched by a group of merchants and ship owners: to send two ships on a desperate mission around Cape Horn and into the Pacific Ocean. They wanted to establish new trade with China, settle an outpost on territory claimed by the Spanish, and find the legendary Northwest Passage—the fabled waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The adventure would bring the world to the brink of war.

Customer Reviews (3)

Observe life on-board a ship that truly made American history
The story of Lewis and Clark's "Corp of Discovery" (1804-1806) to find a passage way to the Pacific by land was to become known as the touchstone of American history."Morning of Fire" tells the story of a 47 year old sea captain, John Kendrick, who was hired in 1786 by a group of New England businessmen to establish a trading presence in the Pacific.Kendrick's charge was to establish a trade route going from the East coast around the southern tip of South America and to follow the whole west coast of the Americas exploring and bartering for furs in the north, then to cross the Pacific stopping at the Sandwich Islands (Hawaiian Islands) before going to China.He was to trade his furs for Chinese goods, and return to his home port via the Indian Ocean and around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.Kendrick was also directed to try to find the legendary Northwest Passage.To achieve his goals he had to compete with Britain, Spain and Russia who where also attempting to establish similar trading routes.

Kendrick's assignment became a seven year voyage taking two ships into the most treacherous unknown seas, unexplored lands and involvement in tribal Indian wars. They would be the first American ships to sail the Pacific Ocean and to circumnavigate the world. The author's extensive research sometimes bogs down the reader with unfamiliar names and places, but through it all one gets to observe what it was like to be on-board an American ship that would lead a nation to become the ruler of the seas.

Great piece of early American Naval history
For all those American history buffs out there Scott Ridley has put out a wonderful book that explains the trials of a young America struggling to establish its fledgling navy as a world power. Lots of black and white illustrations are included in this worthwhile book which sheds light on a mostly neglected era of American history. Morning of Fire is sure to educate as well as entertain readers.

Good Popular History on a Relatively Unknown American Explorer
This was a fun and interesting book to read that is labeled as "popular history."That means it is not excessively scholarly and written in an academic style for other history professors.The writing style is beamed more at the casual historian, and is a pleasure to read.In short, I liked this book.

That being said, this work on the life and voyages of John Kendrick is indeed scholarly with no less than 49 pages of end notes, and the bibliography is extensive and impressive.Author Ridley may have researched the bulk of the available primary sources applicable to his subject, including the extensive and extremely valuable Spanish archives in Seville, Spain.He is to be commended for this work.

John Kendrick was a Massachusetts sailor who fought during the Revolutionary War as a privateer, and who afterwards was recruited to lead an expedition of two small ships around the Cape Horn to the Northwest (Washington, Oregon and Canadian coast) in 1787, the year the Constitution was written.

The perils of the voyage were many, not the least of which was that Spain would consider the Yankees as pirates and subject to hanging and confiscation of their ships if captured in the Pacific.Captain Kendrick talked his way out of such a fate when he was forced to put into port in South America for water and repairs after a harrowing passage around Cape Horn.He opened trade with the Indians in the Northwest, made agreements with British explorers and traders, avoided problems with the Spanish, and sailed to Hawaii, Japan and Macao, China.He was beset by Indian attacks, near mutinies, hostile officers, and great hardships, but carried the American flag nobly in new lands.The U.S. claim to the Northwest was based partially on his voyage and claims.

Kendrick was killed when the British fired a salute at his vessel with a loaded cannon that tore into Kendrick's cabin.Supposedly this was an accident, but the British were definitely rivals in the area.

This work tells this story in fine style.My only complaint would be that the author included a substantial amount of color comments and adjectives that may or may not be authentic.That's the "popular" part of the history, since the primary sources usually lask such extensive descriptions that truly enable the reader to appreciate the times, terrors, hardships, and successes.Nonetheless, I gave the book five stars.There is much to learn here. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! American Gangster is a 2007 crime film directed by Ridley Scott adapted from a New York magazine story "The Return of Superfly", by Mark Jacobson, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Washington portrays Frank Lucas, a real-life gangster from Harlem who smuggled heroin into the United States on American service planes returning from the Vietnam War. Crowe portrays Richie Roberts, a detective attempting to bring down Lucas' drug empire. Filming was done on location in New York City. American Gangster was released in the United States and Canada on November 2, 2007. The film was also nominated for two Academy Awards, including a notable Best Supporting Actress nomination for Ruby Dee who appears on screen for less than 10 minutes. ... Read more

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The official tie-in to the movie directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe and Albert Finney—a Twentieth Century Fox release.

Love, laughter, wine, and the glorious landscape of Provence abound in this movie from director Ridley Scott, who conceived the idea for this story with his Provençal neighbor Peter Mayle. Mayle then went on to write the novel on which the movie is based.

The film's stars, Russell Crowe and Albert Finney, and its talented international cast and crew are beautifully portrayed in these pages, which also include an exclusive Q&A with Scott and Mayle, passages from the Marc Klein screenplay, a synopsis of the story, and fascinating behind-the-scene notes about the filmmaking, winemaking, and Provence. Includes over 130 beautiful production photos and illustrations.

A Good Year tells the story of Max Skinner (Crowe), a London-based investment expert who inherits a small wine estate in the Luberon from his bon vivant uncle, and must take a break from daily warfare in the City to settle things. Max wants to sell and run, but once in Provence, his plans fall apart.

The benevolent spirit of his late Uncle Henry (Finney), a lovely and feisty restaurant owner (Marion Cotillard), a mysterious young American (Abbie Cornish), a passionate winegrower (Didier Bourbon), and the magical region itself all conspire to keep Max at Château La Siroque, where he ultimately discovers the man he might have been. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a good year a good book

Loved the movie, loved the book, wished it had more pictures of the chateau in it.

Winemaking culture comes to life under this treatment
A GOOD YEAR was set in France and celebrates life in a blend of romance and comedy filmed on scene: both fans of the movie and newcomers will find most accessible a recap of the story, blending over a hundred color photos with interviews with authors Ridley Scott and Peter Mayle. Winemaking culture comes to life under this treatment and A GOOD YEAR is thus recommended for both film libraries and any with an interest in winemaking history and French culture - and comedy.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

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With films like Gladiator, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down, director Ridley Scott has shown his mastery of cinematic storytelling that is epic in dimension but with a deeply personal core. In Kingdom of Heaven, he turns to the Crusades—that world-shaping 200-year collision between Europe and the East—to frame the tale of a young Frenchman who defies all odds to become a knight, then lives out what that glorious title really means. "I'd always wanted to make a movie about knights and medieval times, the Crusades especially," says Scott. "Historically, the knight—like the cowboy or the policeman—has given us great opportunities to tell stories about a hero."

With the cry "God wills it!" Pope Urban II in 1095 urged Christian Europe into a frenzy to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem, conquered by Muslim armies that swept through the Middle East in the 7th century. Thousands answered the call, from kings to peasants, and in the ensuing waves of war ancient cities fell to bloody sieges, Christian kingdoms were founded in the Holy Land, and unspeakable atrocities were committed on both sides. Between the Second and Third Crusades, however, two visionary leaders—King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and the Saracen general Saladin—forged a short-lived peace amid the carnage.Drawn into this immense drama is the young blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom). Fleeing his village under a death sentence, and fleeing his own demons as well, Balian joins forces with a great knight, Godfrey of Ibelin (Liam Neeson), who swears him to serve King Baldwin and up-hold the truce—that fragile "kingdom of heaven." On reaching the Holy Land, Balian falls under the spell of the king's sister, Sibylla (Eva Green), and becomes embroiled in a struggle for the kingdom's soul, as the dying king is assailed by extremists bent on war. Ultimately, Balian must choose between his love and his sense of knightly honor. And when Jerusalem faces its greatest peril, he must use all his wits and courage to defend it against staggering odds.

Scott and his production team scale new heights in creating worlds on film: building vast sets on locations in Morocco and Spain, peopling them with international stars and thousands of extras, enhancing filmed action with state-of-the-art effects. Scenes of medieval warfare, breathtaking in scale and realism, feature weapons and machines that were carefully researched and built for real. This splendid companion book, illustrated with more than 200 photos, drawings, and Scott's own storyboards, documents this landmark production behind the scenes and before the cameras. But it also delves into the details of storycrafting that give Kingdom of Heaven its solid historical grounding, and includes a lively primer on the Crusades that will expand readers' appreciation of both the film and the history behind it. With more than 200 photographs and illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A companion piece to the film
"Kingdom of Heaven" is one of my favorite films, with luscious cinematography, glorious music, a good story with political intrigue and a historical perspective combines for a gritty and realistic portrayal of the fall of Jerusalem in 1187."Kingdom of Heaven: The Ridley Scott Film and the History Behind the Story" is a behind the scenes look at the making of this epic Crusader film.

The book consists of 11 chapters, arranged in two parts, as well as a foreword by Ridley Scott.Part One, "Kingdoms in the Holy Land" discusses the history of the crusades, story development and pre-production. Despite the book's subtitle, the history chapter is very lightweight, and is unlikely to satisfy many readers interested in the Crusades.However, the book does provide a further reading section, which includes The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades (Oxford Illustrated Histories), likely to be one of the better available resources on the Crusades.Part Two of the book, entitled "Swords and Stones", brings Balian's story to life by delving into the actual production of the film, with chapters on working on location ("Kingdom of Heaven" was mainly filmed in Morocco and Spain), the script, costumes, set and armour design (one of the more interesting chapters) as well as post-production.

It is accepted that Scott took certain liberties with history in making "Kingdom of Heaven".Such liberties are usually necessary for cinematic reasons and for audience clarity, and these, and the reasoning for this, are mentioned. For example, characters' names and, in some cases characterisations of an individual, may diverge from their historical counterparts.Such examples are discussed in the chapter on casting, "Casting the Kingdom", which is another one of the more interesting chapters of the book. It makes one appreciate the difficulties that filmmakers face in bringing a story based on real people to the big screen.

Lavishly illustrated with stills from behind (and in front of) the camera, conceptual art and sketches, as well as some contemporary artwork (mainly in the history chapter), this makes a good companion piece to accompany the film.

awesome movie - Kingdom of Heaven!!!!
this is an awesome product to get if you saw and liked the movie "Kingdom of Heaven".wonderful behind-the-scenes shots.the pics are awesome!!! not to mention the fact that Orlando Bloom, one of my fave actors, is in it!!

One of Ridley Scott's Masterpieces
If you enjoyed Gladiator you should love Kingdom of Heaven. It has all the thrills and color and then some...and it's far more authentic. This is an epic film filled with color and colorful characters. This book points out the details and should really be inspiring to up and coming film makers. The use of flags and banners is especially strong. I think you'll learn a lot more about the Art of film making from this book, a superb collection. Try it!

Recommended for fans of the film
The latest entry in the acclaimed "Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook" series, Kingdom Of Heaven: The Ridley Scott Film And The History Behind The Story is the definitive film documentary of "Kingdom of Heaven", the large-scale historical epic about the Crusades that pitted the forces of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem against the armies of the Saracen general Saladin. Directed by Ridley Scale and starring Orlando Bloom, the commentary is in two major parts: "Kingdoms in the Holy Land: The Crusades and the Film Story" and "Swords and Stones: How Kingdom of Heaven Was Made". This informative guide to the film and its making is enthusiastically recommended for fans of the film, as well as professional, academic, and community library Cinematic Studies reference collections.

AMAZING BOOK!!!!!!!!!
I already saw this movie three times. It's sooooo amazing. The book has lots of beautiful pictures and interesting information about the movie.
For everybody who loves the movie, this book is a must have. And of course the screenplay which is coming out in june. ... Read more

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Ridley Scott's previous films have demonstrated his mastery of cinematic storytelling that is epic in dimension but with a deeply personal, human core. In KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, he turns to the Crusades: that world-shaping 300-year collision between Europe and the East. With this film, Ridley Scott and the veteran production team with whom he worked on GLADIATOR - including the same production designer, art and costume directors, and cinematographer - surpass all their earlier achievements in creating historical worlds onscreen. This official companion book chronicles their achievements in building astounding sets on location in Morocco and Spain, peopling them with a brilliant international cast and thousands of extras, and then seamlessly merging filmed action with the latest special effects technology and re-creation of authentic period weapons - along with the casting, story-crafting, editing and scoring that make a Ridley Scott epic so satisfying to filmgoers on all levels. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Companion book to the film
Kingdom of Heaven is the story of Ridley Scott's film and the history behind the tale told in the film. It is a companion book to the movie and is extremely well done. The emphasis in the book is on the production of the film itself as it was put together in several places around the world. Books like this one normally leave me feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the effort that goes into making an epic film such as this one, and this book was no exception. Casting, costumes, sets, script, action scenes, editing, finances, etc. The list is endless, and the book covers all areas.

If you enjoyed the film Kingdom of Heaven and want to know more, then you will not go wrong with this book. It is well laid out with lots of graphics and paints an extremely interesting picture of how the film was made.

Commendable
This book provides a nice insight of the research and preparation required to make an accurate representation of the story context. The project is presented using a personal and friendly approach such as a personal diary and using paper, pictures, and graphics of very good quality. The level of detail helped me to appreciate better the movie. For my taste it would be better if it had included the complete original story to read. ... Read more

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This second edition of Retrofitting Blade Runner contains a new essay by Leonard Heldreth, an addendum to the bibliography, and an essay by William Kolb, "Reconstructing the Director's Cut."

This book of essays looks at the multitude of texts and influences which converge in Ridley Scott's film Blade Runner, especially the film's relationship to its source novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Essays that , like, prove it's amazing and stuff
For the ignorant fools who didn't know what they were watching the first 168 times around, this book has essays with subtexts and subconcious imagary that will blow your mind.

A box office failure shined to gold by looking-back critics and an army of fans, Blade Runner is now the requisite sci-fi inspiration film.It's still a stylish but bleak, cold film and has rightfully earned its supercult status.A lot of people responded to it in their own way.

The book has plenty of food for thought, but it gets to be much after a while.Authors compare the various themes in Blade Runner and use this as a springboard for ruminations on Frankenstein, feminism, film noir, you name it, Blade Runner has it.Slave narrative, horror film, it's in there.And there's room for an updated version as plenty of published material has appeared since this book did in the early 90s.Recommended for the obsessed Blade Runner fan--and there is no other kind.

Fascinating and Exhaustive
I thought my 10 year career as Blade Runner appreciator would have overturned all the 'stones' of interest - and yet this book yields countless articles many of which containing subtleties and revelations totally new to me. Of course, if you're not a major blade runner fan you'll want to become one first.

Oxygen for any Blade Runner fan
A must have for any die hard BR fan. Well crafted essays and opinions covering every angle a fan could ever hope for. Reads similar to a textbook. If only Scott could release a DVD version of BR this detailed.

A difintive analysis of 'Blade Runner'.
This book is a must-have for Blade Runner fans. Wonderfully written essays. Desser's article comparing the film to John Milton's poem/novel Paradise Lost and Frankenstein is a writing at its mind-bending best.

One of the finest books about this amazing film
If you are looking for info about the making of BLADE RUNNER you'd best look elsewhere, but if like me you want to read intelligent analysis of this amazing film then this book is one of the finest you'll find. Therange of the essays is wide, looking at every facet of the film; thescript, music, symbolism and much more. I've read many books on the subjectof BLADE RUNNER and this one was one of the most enlightening andinformative. There is more to BLADE RUNNER than you might think - and thisbook will show you in considerable detail. Highly recommended for fans ofthe film. ... Read more

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The five-volume Scott Report in Arms to Iraq was remarkable in that entailed a lengthy investigation into all three branches of British government. In this study, distinguished experts carefully examine the report and contribute incisive insights into the people, processes, and policy considerations involved. ... Read more

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In this lavish thirtieth-anniversary tribute to the blockbuster film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, New York Times bestselling author J. W. Rinzler draws back the curtain to reveal the intense drama and magnificent wizardry behind the hit movie—arguably the fan favorite of the Star Wars Saga.
 
Following his The Making of Star Wars, the author has once again made use of his unlimited access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its hidden treasures of previously unpublished interviews, photos, artwork, and production mementos. The result is a comprehensive behind-the-scenes, up-close-and-personal look at the trials and triumphs, risks and close calls, inspiration, perspiration, and imagination that went into every facet of this cinematic masterpiece. Here’s the inside scoop on:
 
• the evolution of the script, from story conference and treatment to fifth draft, as conceived, written, and rewritten by George Lucas, famed science-fiction author Leigh Brackett, and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan

• the development of new key characters, including roguish hero Lando Calrissian, sinister bounty hunter Boba Fett, and iconic Jedi Master Yoda

• the challenges of shooting the epic ice planet battle in the frozen reaches of Norway and of conjuring up convincing creatures and craft—from tauntauns and snowspeeders to Imperial walkers

• the construction of a life-sized Millennium Falcon and the swamp planet Dagobah inside a specially built soundstage in Elstree Studios

• the technique behind master Muppeteer Frank Oz’s breathing life into the breakthrough character Yoda

• the creation of the new, improved Industrial Light & Magic visual effects facility and the founding of the now-legendary Skywalker Ranch
 
In addition, of course, are rare on-the-scene interviews with all the major players: actors Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and David Prowse; director Irvin Kershner; producer Gary Kurtz; effects specialists Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston, and Phil Tippett; composer John Williams; and many others. Punctuating the epic account is a bounty of drawings, storyboards, and paintings by Ralph McQuarrie, Joe Johnston, and Ivor Beddoes, along with classic and rare production photos. An added bonus is a Foreword by acclaimed director Ridley Scott.
 
The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is a fittingly glorious celebration of an undisputed space-fantasy movie milestone. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Love the book, but...
But the matte painting in the lovely "centerfold" spread of 296 to 297 is from Return of the Jedi, not TESB. Im just saying...

The Making of Star Wars:The Empire Strikes Back
America's Galactic Foreign Legion: Book 1: Feeling Lucky (Volume 1)

A bit pricey, but a good read.

WARNING WARNING WARNING
PLEASE READ!
It is with a heavy heart that I write this -Let this be a WARNING to everyone who has purchased or thinking of purchasing this book.

For Starters - I pre-ordered this book several months ago.When it finally arrived I set it down on my coffee table, opened it up and to my HORROR discovered that the binding had ripped away from the spine at page 3!I contacted Amazon for a return/replacement and that worked out very easily.Before shipping the book back I looked through it and was amazed at the photos, 75% of which I have never seen before!I tried to read the text, but my aging eyes prevented me from reading without assistance.Like most 1st Generation Star Wars Fans who are in their 40's my eyesight isn't what it used to be.The font is too small and the print too light.They could have at least used `Black' as the Color font and not some silver-grey! So, I shipped the book back.

Less than 4 days later; I received my replacement book.I opened it and to my dismay and horror discovered the exact same problem!The Binding had torn from the pages on Page 3!At first I thought it was the exact same book I had sent back.(It wasn't)So, once again I went through the steps and returned the book via UPS in a very easy procedure (Kudos to Amazon for making that part easy)I also sent an email to customer service and received a kind, but frustrating response saying that they would not replace the book, but rather refund my credit card for the order.They are also going to investigate to see if it is indeed a manufacturing defect.

So, with that said I say to everyone who has purchased this book to examine the binding at the Spine especially around Page 3.If you have an issue contact Amazon.Hopefully the Manufacturer will fix this problem (and change the Font Color).I still plan on buying this book as it is that good.I will also look forward to the inevitable Making of Return of the Jedi edition that more than likely will be published in the next few years (Probably around 2013 to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of Jedi.)

So I give the books content5 Stars -
The Binding/Manufacture/Quality of the construction of the book itself 0 Stars
and Amazon 5 Stars for service.

Great fan book: great pixtures, great info!
Really great book, its part 2 of the old trilogy. I've got both books and i'm really happy to have them in my collection.

Why?

-Great hardcover book
-Great pictures
-Great quality of the paper and pictures
-Backgrounf information on known facts but lots of unknown facts

This book is finished and fitst in everyones bookshelf who love star wars!

Part 3 the return of the Jedi is coming...????

Greatest book ever!!
It is a wonderful book for film fans, and a must have for Star Wars fans.
It's big and loaded with facts and behind the scenes information and it goes well beyond just Empire.
Reprints many of Lucas notes as he was creating the story for all films.
The pictures are to die for, for fans as many depict the cast practicing and just hanging out.Kind of details everything that transpired during the making of this film. ... Read more