The Conversations is a treasure, essential for any lover or student of film, and a rare, intimate glimpse into the worlds of two accomplish...
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Jul 07, 2011
Chris
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Fascinating, poetic, philosophical look at the Art of Film Editing.
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Jul 07, 2011
Susan
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Fascinating discussions focussing on film and sound editing between author/poet Michael Ondaatje and film editor/sound editor/director/writer/translator Walter Murch who worked on Godfather Parts 1-3, The Conversation, and Apocalypse Now with Francis Ford Coppola;The English Patient with Anthony Minghella; restoration of Orson Wells' A Touch of Evil based on Wells'notes; Return to Oz which Murch co-wrote and directed, etc. The conversations provide insight into the considerations, craft and sub
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Jul 07, 2011
Kristin
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This was an amazing book. Granted, you do need to be a little bit of a film geek--and maybe a literature geek--to enjoy it to some extent. But, as someone who has been really intrigued by the art of editing film, this book provides incredible insight into the philosophy and practices of the remarkable Walter Murch.
Murch has edited the Godfather series, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now redux, The English Patient, The Talented Mister Ripley, and many others. This book offers some colo More...
Murch has edited the Godfather series, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now redux, The English Patient, The Talented Mister Ripley, and many others. This book offers some colo More...
Jul 07, 2011
Steev
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I found this book in a free box in front of my house, but i would have paid lots for it if i came across it in a store. It was quite water-damaged, which is sort of a shame because not only is it full of wise and interesting words but it's really well-designed and appointed with numerous photos and frame grabs from the numerous incredible films that Murch has worked on, illustrating the concepts being talked about.
Basically, anyone who makes films, especially editors, should read th More...
Basically, anyone who makes films, especially editors, should read th More...
Jul 07, 2011
Gerald
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I don't usually like Q&A-style interviews, but this book is a notable exception because it's more like eavesdropping on a private conversation between two very savvy colleagues. Murch has some original and intriguing things to say about the ways he approaches his art (like theorizing that movie music reinforces an existing emotion--rather than inspiring one). Here's looking forward to his next book--the one in which he posits his notational scheme for cinema. It sounds like a crackpot idea, rath
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Jul 07, 2011
Jim
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Film/sound editor extraordinaire Walter Murch supplies the stories, acclaimed author Michael Ondaatje asks the questions in this fine book chock-full of behind-the-scenes knowledge and technique. Murch already shared ideas that are now part and parcel of the art of film editing in his book 'In the Blink of an Eye,' but this book gets more personal and delves into the relationships WM shared with other LA luminaries of the late 60s/early 70s like Coppola and Lucas. It's fascinating to learn mor
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Aug 11, 2011
Benedict
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The best book about the art of film editing ever written. Worth reading for anyone involved in the TV/film industry.
Jul 07, 2011
I’ve become enamored with two books from my Film Form class, this is one of them. The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film has been inspiring and thought-provoking every time I pick it up. It’s made the monotonous train rides to NY much more enjoyable. Even though its title suggests that it’s written for editors and filmmakers, I think anyone that’s interested in film (beyond the casual viewer) or artists of any medium would get something out of this book. Murch has a fascinat
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Jul 07, 2011
Jamil
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Fascinating. The record of four conversations between the author, Michael Ondaatje and the subject, Walter Murch, film editor, sound mixer, director, renaissance man, on an endless stream of topics related directly and tangentially to the art of editing film. From Orson Welles ("For my style, for my vision of the cinema, editing is not simply one aspect: it's the aspect. The notion of 'directing' a film is the invention of critics like you..") to Rilke ("The point of life is to
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Jul 07, 2011
André
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Walter Murch is my hero when it comes to editing. He is so talented, and so reflected upon his choices in editing. In this interview - or rather, conversation, his brilliance and talent really shows. His not just an editor - he lives, breathes, and really understands films, how they work, what they can achieve and how they best tell the important point of life.
It's a very fascinating conversation. Both on films and other things as well... definately worth a read.
It's a very fascinating conversation. Both on films and other things as well... definately worth a read.
Jul 07, 2011
laura
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I am less interested in Murch's relationships other LA filmmakers of the late 60s/early 70s (e.g. Coppola and Lucas), and more interested in a how a story can be edited to different effect. To the extent the book discussed editing, I liked it. He discusses sound in a way that I had never thought about it. The book made me want to see a number of movies over again and see if I could tell anything about their editing.
Jul 07, 2011
Suju
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A fascinating conversation between two creative individuals with wide-ranging interests and tastes. While there are passages that could be construed as "advice" to a filmmaker, it's much more of a free form dialogue with worthwhile insights along the way, as well as some behind-the-scenes tidbits about the making of "The Conversation," "The English Patient," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Godfather" movies.
Jul 07, 2011
Judi
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Walter Murch is an interesting, insightful, well read, well rounded guy who draws from unexpected resources. I think even though this book is on the surface about editing films, he's so interesting and has such unique views on life, human behavior and emotion that I think the book just might hold the interest of even those who are not involved or interested in the film industry.
Jul 07, 2011
Fred
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gave up on this one because i just hadn't seen enough of the movies walter murch edited to get as much out of it as i could. still, i salute any book that turns a spotlight on the interesting and under-written-about profession of film editing. a good companion piece for this book might be the movie modern romance in which albert brooks plays an editor.
Jul 07, 2011
Benedict
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Easily one of the best theory books I've read, its interview style makes it very easy to understand their concepts about sound, editing and other extremely interesting topics. The fact that Walter Murch is "the man" when it comes to talking about these topics makes it even easier to accept what is beng hypothesised.
Jul 07, 2011
Amy
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These conversation with Walter Murch delve into the art of film editing. It is fascinating to get such a master's point of view. Murch grants us behind the scenes access to his art, and it is presented in such an accessible way that you don't have to be in the industry to enjoy it.
Jul 07, 2011
Bill
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If you are interested in editing and sound, this is the book for you.
If you are interested in film (like I am) than you should start to get the flavor by about page 250. I think it'd be hard to get through this if you're not a professional editor or a sound engineer.
If you are interested in film (like I am) than you should start to get the flavor by about page 250. I think it'd be hard to get through this if you're not a professional editor or a sound engineer.
Jul 07, 2011
Angela
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I really enjoyed this. It was like getting to eavesdrop on a conversation between two really smart and interesting people. And, while the conversations centered on film editing, they also ranged all over the place from quantum physics to architecture.
Jul 07, 2011
Josh
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Great fun read between a now deceased author and the editor who cut some of the greatest movies made in the modern film era, including one of the author's own stories, The English Patient. I loved every page of it and never wanted it to end.
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Jul 07, 2011
Marie
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I loved this book - even if you can't follow all of the movie references, it is still one of the best books I have ever read about movie making, the power of sound, editing, story telling and the amazing art that goes into great film=making.
Jul 07, 2011
Orin
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I read this a while ago and I'm returning to it since I just read The English Patient and finally watched the movie. It was excellent without having the prerequisites. I can only imagine what it will be like now.
Jul 07, 2011
Chris
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A fantastic book-length interview that finds the pulse beneath the art of film and sound editing. I reread it every time I'm editing a project, and Walter Murch always gives me fresh insights and inspiration.
Jul 07, 2011
Linera
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very useful way to think about revision, also I learned so much about editing. Murch edited The Godfather movies, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now, and met Ondaatje during the filming of The English Patient.
Jul 07, 2011
Estevan Carlos
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Murch offers the most intelligent discussion on practical relationships between sound and other artforms. His discussion is both philosophical and regards hands on experience.
Jul 07, 2011
Lucas
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Some fascinating insights into a very powerful mind. Murch wrote piano music based on the movement of stellar bodies in our solar system.... What a guy!
Jul 07, 2011
Tav
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Essential essentials for sound and film editors. All-around inspiring in his approach, and packed with great back-stories to some of the works.
Jul 07, 2011
Intriguing and informative. Very much about editing for sound and moving image, but with implications that ripple out. Recommended.
Jul 07, 2011
Amy
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The most fantastic book on the art of editing around. A must read for anyone working with audio, audio editing, or film. Genius.
