The Cinema of Stanley Kubrick

by Norman Kagan

Stanley Kubrick never lived to see the release of Eyes Wide Shut, the sensational film based on a novella by Viennese author Arthur Schnitzler. With a discussion of that film and a new overview of Kubrick's life and career, Norman Kagan completes his classic study of the enigmatic filmmaker. Eyes Wide Shut was only the latest in a string of successes over nearly five decades: The Killing, Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, and Full Metal Jacket. Now completely up to date, this third edition of The Cinema of Stanley Kubrick remains the first book to chronicle all of Kubrick's work. The films are examined in detail, from conception through camera work, acting, set and costume design, dialogue, music, and editing. Popular and scholarly critical responses are included to show the unusual unity of Kubrick's work and his unique legacy.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Reference

249 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Keith LaFountaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting perspective on Kubrick's filmography (excluding Eyes Wide Shut, as that had not been released by the time this was written). However, I was left disappointed as the vast majority of chapters (each one concerning a different film by Kubrick) just summarized each film. Each chapter only had two to three paragraphs of history or analysis (which is what I was hoping the entire book would be).

Still, it is an interesting look at Kubrick's filmography, and his themes.

[Naperdog · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thick academic study of the master filmmaker, it reads somewhat like a dissertation. Kagan identifies five themes found throughout his films which are interesting to consider when you think about his films. I especially like the theme of the failure of intelligence and the errors of emotion - that sounds like real life to me. For film aficionados.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Filmbücher schrieb man einst anders, aber gefühlt 60% auf detaillierte (aber, wie im Fall Barry Lyndon, auch gern sehr fehlerhafte) Inhaltsangaben zu verpulvern, ist schon etwas seltsam und wenig produktiv.

[Michael Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though this book does contain some interesting information and analysis on all but one of Kubrick’s films, the author spends way too much time in each chapter describing the the films scene-by-scene (and often incorrectly).

[Afra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It certainly has some good analysis. However, the long-winded description of film plots drives my interests down. Read this one in Chinese.

[Matt Gunderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much focus on the main plots of each film. Reading the title, one would assume that the reader has seen Kubrick's film, having an overly thorough plot-outline seeming unnecessary. The interpretive analyses of the selected critics were in fact interesting, but not exactly what I was hoping to read about. I wanted lean more on Kubrick's own interpretations of each film. The book's structure was though formulated well, in an organized and coherent manner, making it pretty accessible

[Christopher]

I felt this devoted too much space/weight to the reviews/reviewers. At least that's the lasting impression I have of this book. Didn't feel like the real information had as much weight as the roundup of opinions for each film.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it discusses about his inspirations about every movies that he made... inspiring!

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE filmmaking master.

[Kevino · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple walk through of all Kubrick movies, this book does not delve into deeper subtext or make connections between works.

[Timothy Limner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary of each of Kubrick's films through 'Full Metal Jacket', nothing more.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A by-the-numbers review of Kubrick and his films. No in-depth analysis

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skipped the summaries of movies, they are useless. The book did provide some information I don't know.