The Complete Kubrick [Paperback]

This is not a book about Kubrick; it is a book about Kubrick's films. Much has already been written about the director of The Clockwork Orange, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut, and debate still rages about his controversial reputation and auteur style. The Complete Kubrick takes one step back from the fray. Taking each of the director's three short movies and 13 features in turn, David Hughes provides entertaining and easy-to-read companion studies for all. Conversational but still perfectly informed, the writing here is accessible and witty; certainly Kubrick beginners could sit back, learn and enjoy this after stumbling across 2001--A Space Odyssey during a visit to Blockbusters. Introductions to the themes and underlying sub-plots inherent in each movie will interest both these guys and general film buffs, as will Hughes' insight into the casting choices, production, influences and reviews of the time. Fanatics will appreciate the definitive cast lists and fact sections, while everyone else can take a lighter look at Kubrick's influences--learning each film's most quotable lines, or spotting The Simpsons' Kubrick references for ever more. Chapters can be read in order or according to preference, as each represents a complete entity in itself. By introducing each film then completing the reader's knowledge of it--placing it in the cultural context of the time of its release (paying particular attention to the outcry films like A Clockwork Orange and Lolita provoked) Hughes succeeds also in providing insight into a filmmaker's vision and drive. There is an eight page section of small-scale photos to illustrate, plus a substantial list of sources and impressive bibliography at the end. --Helen Lamont

'The level of research is astonishing, the cornucopia of trivia original and the passion for the movies unstinting...'

'[The] user-friendly approach makes for an intensely satisfying read ... a genuinely informative page-turner'

'Anyone with an interest in film making is offered a definitive insight into the thinking behind some celluloid magic'

'A widely researched account of all the films (and the uncompleted projects) ... both fun to read and valuable for reference'

'Hughes' tome is far and away the best of the recent ejaculation of books about the auteur ... commendably exhaustive'

With just thirteen feature films in half a century, Stanley Kubrick established himself as one of the most accomplished directors in motion picture history. Kubrick created a landmark and a benchmark with every film; working in almost every genre imaginable, including film noir, war movie, SF, horror, period drama, historical epic, love story and satire - yet transcended traditional genre boundaries with every shot. Examining every feature film, from the early shorts through to classics such as Paths of Glory, Dr Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and finally, Eyes Wide Shut, The Complete Kubrick provides a unique insight into understanding the work of cinema's most enigmatic, iconoclastic and gifted auteur.

Synopsis
Includes Foreword by Peter Bogdanovich

Stanley Kubrick’s career spans nearly half a century. With only thirteen feature films he established himself as one of the most accomplished and respected directors ever. As a result of Kubrick’s death and the recent release of his controversial masterpiece A Clockwork Orange, there has been much renewed interest in the work of this notoriously private man.

The Complete Kubrick is a detailed analysis of all of Kubrick’s films, including the classics Spartacus, Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut, with an additional section covering his incomplete projects.

The Complete Kubrick examines the sources, production history, casting, music, themes and motifs, cut scenes and box office success of each film. David Hughes explores the controversy sparked by some of the films, with comments from the leading contemporary critics giving insight into the social contexts of the films. The personal opinions of those who worked closely with Kubrick are included and the author considers the apocryphal stories linked to particular films. For fans of Kubrick and cinema in general, this is an essential guide that will bring you to a deeper understanding of the man and his work.

David Hughes is a respected journalist, writer and broadcaster. His work has appeared in Empire, The Guardian, GQ, Sky and The Face. He has also sold a number of screenplays and acted as co-producer on movie documentaries.

I come to praise Kubrick, not to bury him.
THE COMPLETE KUBRICK was designed to provide an almost inexhaustible supply of entertaining and informative writing about the films of Stanley Kubrick. Note that I say 'the films' rather than the man himself - there are plenty of biographies of Kubrick, though we shall have to wait for Michael Herr's before a deservedly sympathetic portrait emerges.

In the meantime, THE COMPLETE KUBRICK is everything you'll need if you're looking for new ways to enjoy Kubrick's oeuvre.

With a foreword by Peter Bogdanovich, a comprehensive index, and countless quotes from hundreds of sources, THE COMPLETE KUBRICK can be dipped into, or read from cover to cover, depending on your mood.

Analytical without being anal, accessible rather than academic, exhaustive and entertaining, THE COMPLETE KUBRICK will tell you everything you need to know about Kubrick's films. And throw in a few Simpsons references for fun.

With detailed coverage of every Kubrick film from Fear and Desire to the forthcoming AI - yes, it really is that up to date - THE COMPLETE KUBRICK aims to be just that: complete.

I strongly believe that THE COMPLETE KUBRICK will provide both long-standing Kubrick fans AND recent converts with an indispensible guide to one of the greatest auteurs of all time.

But that's just me.

Let me know what you think.

David Hughes is a respected journalist, writer and documentary producer who has written for the Guardian, Face, Empire, Sky and Cinetantastique to name but a few. He is also creative director of the movie marketing company Picture Production Co. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.