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Conversations With Filmmakers Series
George Lucas: Interviews
A director, producer, and writer, George Lucas is the power behind "The Force." The son of a conservative small-town businessman, he grew up to become arguably the most identifiable and popular filmmaker in the history of the medium. Yet unlike his more publicly engaged contemporaries, Lucas rarely grants reporters an audience.
This first book of Lucas's interviews affords fans and students of film and science fiction a rare opportunity. Editor Sally Kline collects conversations from the reticent director spanning Lucas's entire career, from the making of his first film, 1971's THX-1138, through American Graffiti, the triumph of the Star Wars trilogy, and even a 1999 interview given while awaiting the release of Star Wars: Episode One--The Phantom Menace.
In interviews from venues such as Rolling Stone, Playboy, and American Film, Lucas reveals his distrust of the Hollywood establishment, his love for making movies, and his unambiguous values and how those values translate into the epic clash between good and evil created when he explores characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.
Lucas revolutionized the movie industry and created the most successful film series of all time. Along with films of his close friend Steven Spielberg, Lucas's releases invented the notion of blockbuster movies. Before the end of the millennium, he could count the loyal fans of the Star Wars trilogy in the millions.
This first book of Lucas's interviews affords fans and students of film and science fiction a rare opportunity. Editor Sally Kline collects conversations from the reticent director spanning Lucas's entire career, from the making of his first film, 1971's THX-1138, through American Graffiti, the triumph of the Star Wars trilogy, and even a 1999 interview given while awaiting the release of Star Wars: Episode One--The Phantom Menace.
In interviews from venues such as Rolling Stone, Playboy, and American Film, Lucas reveals his distrust of the Hollywood establishment, his love for making movies, and his unambiguous values and how those values translate into the epic clash between good and evil created when he explores characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.
Lucas revolutionized the movie industry and created the most successful film series of all time. Along with films of his close friend Steven Spielberg, Lucas's releases invented the notion of blockbuster movies. Before the end of the millennium, he could count the loyal fans of the Star Wars trilogy in the millions.
- GenresFilmNonfictionBiography
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2012
I just got finished reading a great book on George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. I am not sure why I started watching this series a couple weeks ago but I had a huge desire to do so. I guess it has to do with the re-release of Star Wars Episode 1 in 3D.
Either way, I picked up this book. And I was fascinated by it. By both the depth that he goes into to make his films as well as just the deep annoyance he finds the establishment of Hollywood. I never knew how much went into a film before reading this film and honestly I still have no idea about what all it takes.
This book really makes me want to do more with my music and my creativity because it shows just how determined we must be in order to bring our dreams to life.
I was very encouraged by this book and really wish that each of you would be blessed by the determination and work ethic of someone like George Lucas. Even if you don't appreciate his films (which I don't want to associate with it if you hate Star Wars - just kidding, but seriously), you can appreciate the fact that he brought his dreams to life.
The book also showed me many things that I had no clue about. Lucas always went with his gut and had to take many cuts because he wanted things to be a certain both in his films and in his contracts. Example would be that George Lucas gave up a huge portion of his salary (circa $500,000) in order to keep the merchandising rights to Star Wars. This single choice led him to be worth almost 2 billion dollars. Think of all the books, toys, movies, TV shows, and Burger King meals that have endorsed Star Wars.
Either way, I picked up this book. And I was fascinated by it. By both the depth that he goes into to make his films as well as just the deep annoyance he finds the establishment of Hollywood. I never knew how much went into a film before reading this film and honestly I still have no idea about what all it takes.
This book really makes me want to do more with my music and my creativity because it shows just how determined we must be in order to bring our dreams to life.
I was very encouraged by this book and really wish that each of you would be blessed by the determination and work ethic of someone like George Lucas. Even if you don't appreciate his films (which I don't want to associate with it if you hate Star Wars - just kidding, but seriously), you can appreciate the fact that he brought his dreams to life.
The book also showed me many things that I had no clue about. Lucas always went with his gut and had to take many cuts because he wanted things to be a certain both in his films and in his contracts. Example would be that George Lucas gave up a huge portion of his salary (circa $500,000) in order to keep the merchandising rights to Star Wars. This single choice led him to be worth almost 2 billion dollars. Think of all the books, toys, movies, TV shows, and Burger King meals that have endorsed Star Wars.
May 3, 2013
Not so much a book in itself as a collection of interviews from the 70s up until the late 90s. It's especially interesting to look at some of the ways Lucas changes over the years--the most striking of which is pointed out in the introduction. He goes from directing, to saying how much he hates directing and was glad to produce, to saying how he just wound up producing, to saying he's really a director. It's not dishonest so much as a believable change of heart after so many years away from the job.
September 15, 2013
Interesting earlier interviews from the 70's and 80's. last couple were opinion pieces and not really interviews. otherwise would be 5 stars.
September 11, 2023
“Don’t let Star Wars take over your lives ... The point of the movie is to get on with your lives, to take that challenge. To leave your uncle’s moisture farm, go out into the world, change it, and save the universe." George Lucas
February 14, 2017
An amazing insight to Lucas the best way possible - extant interviews through his life and career. Solid stuff.
August 24, 2025
Really great book
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews