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Kevin Brownlow
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David Lean Paperback – 17 Nov. 1997

by Kevin Brownlow (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 88 ratings
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In the course of his career, David Lean created some of the most unforgettable images in cinema history: the terrifying opening graveyard sequence in Great Expectations, the poignant railway farewell in Brief Encounter, the shimmering desert of Lawrence of Arabia and the frozen expanses of revolutionary Russia in Dr Zhivago.

Film-maker and historian Kevin Brownlow spent many hours with Lean, who talked openly about a career which lasted over 50 years. Furthermore, Lean's family and friends - from the son from whom he was estranged, to the women who loved him - talk frankly about his complex personality: a man who was charming, self-deprecating, autocratic and ruthless, and yet surprisingly generous. Brownlow's definitive biography of Lean leaves the reader with an understanding of the man and an appreciation of his cinematic achievement.

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  1. Print length
    848 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Faber & Faber
  4. Publication date
    17 Nov. 1997
  5. Dimensions
    17.4 x 4.7 x 24.6 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    9780571191680
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0571191680
  8. See all details
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Product description

Book Description

David Lean by Kevin Brownlow, re-issued for the David Lean Centenary in 2008.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0571191681
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Faber & Faber; Main edition (17 Nov. 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 848 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780571191680
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0571191680
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.4 x 4.7 x 24.6 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 88 ratings

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Kevin Brownlow

Kevin Brownlow

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
88 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and detailed, with an insightful biography of David Lean. They describe it as a comprehensive account that never becomes boring. The illustrations are appreciated for their authenticity.

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4 customers mention ‘Readability’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging despite its length. They say it's well worth reading if you are interested in David Lean. The biography is written with Lean's cooperation by someone who knew him.

"...Great book, it's a lengthy tome but well worth reading if you are into David Lean." Read more

"A massive book written with David Lean's cooperation by someone who knew him very well over a long period...." Read more

"A full biography but also a mighty tome..." Read more

"Excellent read - eventually...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Biography’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the biography thorough and detailed, without sagging.

"A brilliant biography, almost too detailed, but oh what a horrible person...." Read more

"...This is no dry biography; like Lean's own films, Brownlow's words help narrate a life that was epic in scale...." Read more

"A full biography but also a mighty tome..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Detail’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's detailed account of an inspiring film genius and storyteller. They find it well-illustrated and a brilliant biography.

"A brilliant biography, almost too detailed, but oh what a horrible person...." Read more

"...Lean discussing his life and work in the course of writing this well illustrated, definitive account...." Read more

"Amazingly detailed book, about a truly inspiring film genius and story teller. Written by somebody who really understands the film industry." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Andrew Leisk
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant biography, almost too detailed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2016
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    A brilliant biography, almost too detailed, but oh what a horrible person. Sorry David you are still my favourite director but you are not a nice person. Great book, it's a lengthy tome but well worth reading if you are into David Lean.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jocular
    5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on this great film director.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2018
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    A massive book written with David Lean's cooperation by someone who knew him very well over a long period. Brownlow spoke to many of his subject's friends and colleagues as well as spending hours with Lean discussing his life and work in the course of writing this well illustrated, definitive account. Although it is long, it is never boring and I found it difficult to put down.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Nicholas Casley
    4.0 out of 5 stars "Mr Lean wants more scum"
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2013
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    This is a review of the paperback edition, published in 1997. The book comprises fifty chapters. There is nine-page introduction by the author, Kevin Brownlow, that sets out how he came to write the biography and why he adopted the oral style that he has. Only Peter O'Toole refused to speak to him.

    The oral style that Brownlow adopts - not only with Lean but when interviewing his lovers and friends, his colleagues and acquaintances - brings a more personal feel to the story. For instance, "When I asked David to tell me about `The Passionate Friends', his reply was prefaced by a scowl like thunder and an immensely long David Lean Silence." (Note the initial capitals.)

    Brownlow had extensive conversations with Lean prior to his death and so is able to convey Lean's life from his subject's point of view. But this is no hagiography; Brownlow is critical where he needs to be. As indeed is Lean himself: he tells Brownlow, "I've always been convinced I was a second-rater ... I've always thought, `This is some sort of fluke'."

    As well as tales of triumph and of woe, there is much humour too, such as when making `Hobson's Choice' in Salford, a shout went out declaring "Mr Lean wants more scum". As for woe, Lean himself seems to have had a different woman for each film, excusing himself by asserting that, "If you want to make a good movie, get yourself a new, wonderful woman and that movie will be fifty if not seventy percent better." Lean's meanness is also on display, crossing names off credit lists because he did not particularly like the persons concerned.

    Thankfully, there is more time spent than usual on a biographer's subject's early years. Thus, it is only in chapter three that Lean gets to see his first film, in 1921 when he was thirteen. (I did not realise David Lean had such strong Cornish ancestry, but this should not have been such a surprise considering the contours and look of his face.)

    By chapter ten, each chapter is oriented to a certain film, and the book becomes less a personal biography of the man and more a history of the making of his films. At the same time, we learn about the personalities involved as well as the skills and tricks involved in his film-making that make his oeuvre so distinctive. The great films receive multi-chapter attention: there are two chapters each assigned to `Kwai' and `Ryan's Daughter', three for `Lawrence', four for `Zhivago'. There are two also assigned to the ill-fated `Bounty' project.

    Despite its size and detail, this biography never sags. This is partly due to the subject-matter of course, with its larger-than-life film producers, the constant stream of women, and the fall out from Lean's own working methods. But the book's strength also lies in how Brownlow has put his story together. This is no dry biography; like Lean's own films, Brownlow's words help narrate a life that was epic in scale.

    There are illustrations in the text, but it is the separate plates that really catch the eye. The book also contains the expected filmography, as well as a bibliography, endnotes. and full index.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A full biography but also a mighty tome
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 November 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I am looking forward to reading this book. However, I didn't check to see how large it was and how heavy! I bought it to read on my holidays but it was far too cumbersome. Nevertheless I will enjoy reading it in the dar, cosy Winter nights.
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  • K. Walters
    5.0 out of 5 stars You will not find a better book on this legendary film director.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 September 2018
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    Amazingly detailed book, about a truly inspiring film genius and story teller. Written by somebody who really understands the film industry.
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  • Evil Spirit
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Way of Lean
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2024
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    I purchased this paperback on the 12th August 2011 in HMV Chester for £7 and finished reading it today the 16th April 2024. He died on the 16th April 1991. I began reading in January this year and soon ordered the David Lean Centenary Collection on dvd.

    He was able through contacts, through his handsome good looks and gentlemanly charm to get on in the movie Industry which for him began when pictures were moving silently. Orchestra pits in Picture Palaces were everywhere.

    Now the landscape is one of richness, of material wealth and colour television screens. He wanted you mesmerised by what you were viewing not just a story to safely tell yourself and your interacters.

    Everything these days seems like its been studied and calculated. The Liz Truss effect is swept away under the carpet, even allowing such an abject failure to profit from her ignorance by writing a book of denial about it! For she has the face and the voice. David Lean had an inbuilt natural talent for visual interest and emotional contact. What is the use of knowledge without imagination?

    Imagination only requires expression. That’s were a free society helps. If its constrained to money at every turn then it detaches from reality like Truss and company. Playing the words like so many pieces on a chessboard. Each move strategic. None connected to living life. Studied but not real.

    Lean was a failure at life. It is my conclusion from this excellent book. So many wives, women, children he hardly met. He was the camera. And we have our lives succeeding in the experience of his work.

    Whilst it was a belated pleasure to read the paperback with so many often colour pictures I was also dismayed to see its unavailable on kindle or any other UK reading device. Let them read of another world. Imagination without bounds.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read - eventually.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 May 2015
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    Hard work to start with but stick with it - it's worth it!
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  • Wingate
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent biography
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2020
    Kevin Brownlow has written an excellent biography of Lean,who comes across as self indulgent,selfish,self centered and an egomaniac.So excellent qualification to be a film director.He was often generous but equally could be mean spirited to his wives.His problem seemed to be that elephants overtook his films.He became pampered by producers and when his films didn't perform they wouldn't give him what he wanted.For Nostromo Spielberg got him $20million from Warners he then asked for a further $10 million so Warners walked away.For this he blamed Spielberg and wouldn't talk to him.Lean was an unpleasant man.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • lboy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 20 December 2016
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    great
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  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Biography of a great film maker!
    Reviewed in the United States on 28 April 2013
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    This book will satifsy any and all questions about the life and filmography of David Lean. Well researched, it provides meticulous details about Mr. Lean's upbringing, early career, successes and failures and multiple marriages. With deep insight and analysis of most if not all of Mr. Lean's works from his early years to later, the book provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the world's greatest filmmakers! I definitely recommend this to anyone studying film or just an admirer of Mr. Lean's! The book also provides some wonderful candid photos of Mr. Lean as well as stills from his many movies. Well done biography and fun to read!
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  • 白い夜明け
    5.0 out of 5 stars 評伝の決定版
    Reviewed in Japan on 16 June 2005
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    それにしても、でかくて分厚い。読むべし。
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  • Sweetums
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written.
    Reviewed in the United States on 26 August 2024
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    This is a very well written and researched book that gives the reader a clear look at David Lean. 800+ pages of small print, so it's and epic that tells the story of an epic director.
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  • olingerstories
    4.0 out of 5 stars Educational Treatment of Lean and His Films
    Reviewed in the United States on 22 August 2008
    Verified Purchase
    Brownlow's massive biography does a very good job of painting a comprehensive picture of the great Lean--arrogant, demanding, selfish, and absolutely brilliant first as an editor and then as a director. Lean had no patience for what did not forward the story, and his movies were the better for it. One gets the impression, however, that the same was true for individuals in his life who did not help him achieve his own goals.

    A bit clunky at times in regards to readability, this is still a first rate book. The sections on Brief Encounter, the Dickens' films of the 40s, and Lawrence are excellent.
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