What do you think?
Rate this book
Beauty and the Beast: The Story of Nastassja and Klaus Kinski
BEAUTY AND THE THE STORY OF NASTASSJA AND KLAUS KINSKI is one of the most remarkable of all show-business stories... ranging from rags to riches, from Germany to Hollywood to the international jet-set, from unbridled sexual licence to drink and drugs, huge success and eventual failure... a story of artistic and emotional conflict between a lovely, highly talented daughter and her ferocious, uniquely talented father... the true, contemporary story of... BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
- GenresBiography
150 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2011
10 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 5, 2019
Years ago, when I subscribed to “Premiere” magazine, it would contain feature articles that provided condensed timelines, factual reports, rumors and brief comments from “people in the know.” When I finished reading, I definitely had a better idea of the “What,” although the “Why” was often open to speculation.
That was very, very similar to the experience I had reading BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE STORY OF NASTASSJA AND KLAUS KINSKI. Aside from having enjoyed many of their performances (and, of course, having seen the famous “python” photo many times), I knew very little of their background stories. Then, while watching the supplemental material on a Blu-ray disc, a comment was made that the director really wanted Klaus Kinski for the lead role. But, when asked if Kinski would be interested, the actor asked how long he would be required on the set each day. He would be happy to perform, but he could only guarantee his ability to perform for about two-hours a day! That immediately caused me to want to know more.
Unfortunately, this book did not contain that story. And in the description of what it was like to work on Paul Schrader’s CAT PEOPLE, no mention was made of the almost non-stop drug use that was verified by several crew members who contributed to the supplemental materials. Drugs were mentioned, but the focus was on whether or not Nastassja had an affair with Schrader.
So, it is certainly useful as an overview. Indeed, the stories of Klaus Kinski’s behavior both on and off the stage or set was quite revealing. (For all of his brilliance ... and he did some brilliant work ... he was likely a sociopath.) For tales of Nastassja, the writer is content to relate mostly press accounts with very little contributions from anyone “who was there.” Again, the “Why” is missing.
On the plus side, it caused me to add some titles to my film watch list. Seeing them after reading this should provide some enhancement to my enjoyment.
That was very, very similar to the experience I had reading BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE STORY OF NASTASSJA AND KLAUS KINSKI. Aside from having enjoyed many of their performances (and, of course, having seen the famous “python” photo many times), I knew very little of their background stories. Then, while watching the supplemental material on a Blu-ray disc, a comment was made that the director really wanted Klaus Kinski for the lead role. But, when asked if Kinski would be interested, the actor asked how long he would be required on the set each day. He would be happy to perform, but he could only guarantee his ability to perform for about two-hours a day! That immediately caused me to want to know more.
Unfortunately, this book did not contain that story. And in the description of what it was like to work on Paul Schrader’s CAT PEOPLE, no mention was made of the almost non-stop drug use that was verified by several crew members who contributed to the supplemental materials. Drugs were mentioned, but the focus was on whether or not Nastassja had an affair with Schrader.
So, it is certainly useful as an overview. Indeed, the stories of Klaus Kinski’s behavior both on and off the stage or set was quite revealing. (For all of his brilliance ... and he did some brilliant work ... he was likely a sociopath.) For tales of Nastassja, the writer is content to relate mostly press accounts with very little contributions from anyone “who was there.” Again, the “Why” is missing.
On the plus side, it caused me to add some titles to my film watch list. Seeing them after reading this should provide some enhancement to my enjoyment.
September 9, 2012
Astoundingly bad writing, nauseating repetitions that would garner a small child a failing grade, blatant misuses of the word "irony" (most simply confuse it with what is a coincidence, but here the writer seems to just insert it anywhere) and the weird statement that Quincy Jones "died in the year 2000".
2012 and he’s still around.
One would have to assume the author didn’t bother to reread his manuscript nor have anyone beyond the grade of kindergarten look at it before hitting "send to printer".
2012 and he’s still around.
One would have to assume the author didn’t bother to reread his manuscript nor have anyone beyond the grade of kindergarten look at it before hitting "send to printer".
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews