During his forty-five-year career; William Wyler (1902--1981) pushed the boundaries of filmmaking with his gripping storylines and innovative depth-of-field cinematography. With a body of work that includes such memorable classics as Jezebel (1938); Mrs. Miniver (1942); Ben-Hur (1959); and Funny Girl (1968); Wyler is the most nominated director in the history of the Academy Awards and bears the distinction of having won an Oscar for Best Director on three occasions. Both Bette Davis and Lillian Hellman considered him Americas finest director; and Sir Laurence Olivier said he learned more about film acting from Wyler than from anyone else.In William Wyler; Gabriel Miller explores the career of one of Hollywoods most unique and influential directors; examining the evolution of his cinematic style. Wylers films feature nuanced shots and multifaceted narratives that reflect his preoccupation with realism and story construction. The directors later works were deeply influenced by his time in the army air force during World War II; and the disconnect between the idealized version of the postwar experience and reality became a central theme of Wylers masterpiece; The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).None of Wylers contemporaries approached his scope: he made successful and seminal films in practically every genre; including social drama; melodrama; and comedy. Yet; despite overwhelming critical acclaim and popularity; Wylers work has never been extensively studied. This long-overdue book offers a comprehensive assessment of the director; his work; and his films influence.
#2726670 in eBooks 2014-02-04 2014-02-04File Name: B00AEV86HO
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The series on PBS is excellent. I had to purchase the writing on my ...By Love4015The series on PBS is excellent. I had to purchase the writing on my Kindle of Mr. Poliakoff because I couldnt wait to find out the ending The acting is great but I do have questions about certain scenes and characters. The Lady? that the camera focuses on in the crowd several times peaks my interest. Maybe the TV series final will have the answers.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Vivid Evocation of a Hitherto Undiscovered Aspect of British HistoryBy Dr. Laurence RawBased on a hitherto undiscovered aspect of British history; DANCING ON THE EDGE tells of the fortunes of an African-Caribbean jazz band in 1930s upper-class British society. Louis Lester serves an apprenticeship in the United States; then takes London by storm with the help of talented singers Jessie and Carla. Initially managed by Wesley; who drives a hard bargain but manages to offend just about everyone; the band is eventually guided by white fixer Stanley; who just so happens to run one of Londons leading music papers; a rival to the much better-known "Melody Maker." Poliakoff has a fascinating story to tell of a basically racist society that nonetheless embraces the Louis Lester jazz band; which provides the kind of music than no one has ever heard before. The band are so successful that they even attract the interest of the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII). At the same time polite society has a seamy underbelly; if anyone dares to question the idea of white supremacy; then they are summarily dealt with. This rule applies to white and nonwhite people alike. The television series attracted mixed reviews on its premiere in February and March 2013; after having read Poliakoffs excellent screenplay; I am rather nonplussed as to why DANCING ON THE EDGE generated this kind of reaction.