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From Amazon.co.uk
The significance of Ed Wood, both man and movie, on the career of Tim Burton cannot be emphasised enough. Here Burton regurgitates and pays homage to the influences of his youth, just as he would continue to do with Mars Attacks! and Sleepy Hollow. Everything is just right, from the decision to shoot in black and white, the performances of Johnny Depp (as Ed) and Martin Landau (as Bela Lugosi), the re-creation of 1950s Hollywood and the evocative score by Howard (Lord of the Rings) Shore. The plot struck a poignant familiar chord with Burton, who saw the relationship between the Ed and Lugosi mirroring his own with Vincent Price. Most importantly Burton responded to the story of the struggling, misunderstood artist. For all Burton's big-budget blockbusters (Batman, Planet of the Apes), he still somehow retains the mantle of the kooky niche director. And in the mid-90s, this film actually represented the last vestiges of his independent film production. Fans can only hope he'll soon return to those roots soon.
On the DVD: Ed Wood on disc has a good group commentary in which Burton is interviewed rather than expected to hold forth on his own, making his insights alongside the screenwriters, Landau, and various production heads very worthwhile. Also worthy are the featurettes on Landau's Oscar-winning make-up, the FX and the Theremin instrument employed in the score. Best of all is an extremely exotic Music Video based on that score. This doesn't seem to be a new transfer of the film, but in black and white you're less likely to notice. --Paul Tonks
Product Description
Tim Burton directs the story of one of Hollywood's worst film directors, Ed Wood. Setting up shop in Tinseltown with plenty of enthusiasm but no discernible talent, Wood (Johnny Depp) is undeterred when his debut feature, cross-dressing drama 'Glen or Glenda' (in which he also stars) is a flop. He goes on to make 'Bride of the Monster', also a commercial and creative disaster, with ailing horror star Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), before embarking on his most grandiose scheme yet: 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'. Martin Landau won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the morphine-addicted Lugosi.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
"Ed Eood" is the true story of Hollywoods worst director, Edward D. Wood Jr. The plot centres around Ed's struggle to make succesful films, films which tell a story. Ed also likes to dress up in women's clothing. As funny as this may sound, Ed's cross dressing is strangely meloncholy. One feels genuinly sorrow for him because no one will accept him for who he is, not even his own wife. Despite poor reviews and his less than supportive wife, Ed remains passionate about his film making and never gives up, something which, at times, brings a tear to the eye.
Tim Burton directs the film and yet again he gets it spot on. Burton draws from classic horror films such as the Hammer Horror productions with great effect. The fact that the film is black and white provides moments of extreme noir a la Werner Herzog, while at the same time creating some crisp cinematography. In one particular scene Bela Lugosi casts a long, large shadow across the wall when putting on his cape, beautifully echoing a classic convention used in many a Dracula movie.
Ed Wood is funny, sad and heart warming. It's a film which provides genuine entertainment from start to finish. If your looking for something different then you have found it.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This black and white film potrays a true story about Ed Wood - who is said by many to be the worst director of all time. We follow Ed through part of his adult life while he is making films and dressing up in drag occasionally! Johnny Depp is excellent as the main character Ed. Ed Wood is optimistic and enthusiatic about film making and he is very likeable. We actually feel sorry for him as he is a good man and passionate about his work, although maybe not that good at it! He makes friends with ageing actor Bela Lugosi and he agrees to star in all Eds films.
If you like slightly oddball films or are always wanting to see something different rather than the typcial blockbuster movie then this might be worth your while. It is interesting and funny and it is refreshing to see a film so unique as this. The acting is fantastic and you may recognise quite a few faces (Johnny Depp, Sarah Jessica Parker and Bill Murray amoung them). I saw this film because i am an admirer of Depps work and was not disappointed.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Johnny Depp stars as Ed Wood, arguably the worst movie director of all time, in this amusing and at times, touching story of Ed's career in the fifties. Ed was an unparalleled optimist, enamored with movie-making; he possessed little talent, expertise, or money, but he and his little group of pals made cheap and very bad horror/sci-fi movies and loved it. The only star he ever worked with was Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), decades after his success as 'Dracula,' now drug-addicted and in failing health. Wood and Lugosi made several films together, the most (in)famous being, "Plan 9 From Outer Space," which was actually made after Lugosi's death.
Depp is extremely likable and sympathetic as the effervescent Wood. His quirky, driven personality and penchant for wearing angora sweaters seem entirely believable. Landau won a Best Supporting Oscar for his portrayal of the washed-up Lugosi; he's pathetic and grotesque and absolutely mesmerizing. Watching Ed throw together a whole movie in a few days is hilarious. For Ed, quality was in the mind of the beholder and he loved his movies.
This is a sweet, amusing, lightweight tale about a fascinating Hollywood character that may inspire you to see some of his movies. Recommended.
Depp is extremely likable and sympathetic as the effervescent Wood. His quirky, driven personality and penchant for wearing angora sweaters seem entirely believable. Landau won a Best Supporting Oscar for his portrayal of the washed-up Lugosi; he's pathetic and grotesque and absolutely mesmerizing. Watching Ed throw together a whole movie in a few days is hilarious. For Ed, quality was in the mind of the beholder and he loved his movies.
This is a sweet, amusing, lightweight tale about a fascinating Hollywood character that may inspire you to see some of his movies. Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wait! Pull the string! Pull the string!
This is easily my favourite Tim Burton film and one of my favourite Johnny Depp films too. The region-free US blu-ray will play fine on any blu-ray player (including UK and Europe... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Nick Deckard
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the funniest movies:
The DVD is great. Love the script, actors, movie! Great fun; great comedy. What can one say: Burton, Depp, etc.
Published 29 days ago by Thomas A. Lennhoff
4.0 out of 5 stars
The pursuit of a dream
This movie shows us how important it is to have dreams and fight for them,even if almost anyone understands.And Johnny Depp is a great actor!
Published 1 month ago by anazombie
5.0 out of 5 stars
super!!
i,d reccomend this film as it is, as we know the tale of the film producer, it has fun, sadness, and is touching with ed wood becoming a good friend to ageing movie star bela... Read more
Published 2 months ago by miss marilyn miller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Johnny Depp Fan
If it wasn't for Johnny Depp, I wouldn't have enjoyed this film so much. His acting is superb and he puts 100% into it. However, I was reminded of the Willy Wonka character.
Published 2 months ago by S. G. Stockham
5.0 out of 5 stars
ED WOOD, AND SO WOULD I!
More tough stuff from the master of noir. Burton's treatment of the Kennedy presidency is a masterclass in suspense and terror. Read more
Published 2 months ago by john dillon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
A enjoyable film showing the versatility of Johnny Depp which many younger viewers associate only with the Pirates of the Carrabean.
Published 6 months ago by pat neale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Although it's Burton's least known film, it's unquestionably his...
One of the most uplifting and light hearted films I have ever seen, Ed Wood is not only Tim Burton's best film, but also Johnny Depp's signature performance. Read more
Published 16 months ago by MaximumHeat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Very good service And happy with the speed it was delivered - you can't beat a good Depp film :) will enjoy it again and again
Published 20 months ago by Tinks83
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ed Wood
When i watched this film I didnt particularly enjoy it. No need for the Black and White, cheesy lines and (admittedly deliberatly) corny acting added to a rather far fetched plot. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2011 by Jim Jim
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