Stanley Kubrick

by Phillips, Gene D.

• ISBN13: 9781578062973
• ISBN10: 1578062977
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Mississippi

Summary

From his first feature film,Fear and Desire(1953), to his final, posthumously releasedEyes Wide Shut(1999), Stanley Kubrick excelled at probing the dark corners of human consciousness. In doing so, he adapted such popular novels asThe Killing,Lolita,A Clockwork Orange, andThe Shiningand selected a wide variety of genres for his films -- black comedy (Dr. Strangelove), science fiction (2001: A Space Odyssey), and war (Paths of GloryandFull Metal Jacket). Because he was peerless in unveiling the intimate mysteries of human nature, no new film by Kubrick ever failed to spark debate or to be deeply pondered.Kubrick (1928-1999) has remained as elusive as the subjects of his films. Unlike many other filmmakers he was not inclined to grant interviews, instead preferring to let his movies speak for themselves. By allowing both critics and moviegoers to see the inner workings of this reclusive filmmaker, this first comprehensive collection of his relatively few interviews is invaluable. Ranging from 1959 to 1987 and including Kubrick's conversations with Gene Siskel, Jeremy Bernstein, Gene D. Phillips, and others, this book reveals Kubrick's diverse interests -- nuclear energy and its consequences, space exploration, science fiction, literature, religion, psychoanalysis, the effects of violence, and even chess -- and discloses how each affects his films. He enthusiastically speaks of how advances in camera and sound technology made his films more effective.Kubrick details his hands-on approach to filmmaking as he discusses why he supervises nearly every aspect of production. "All the hand-held camerawork is mine," he says in a 1972 interview aboutA Clockwork Orange. "In addition to the fun of doing the shooting myself, I find it virtually impossible to explain what I want in a hand-held shot to even the most talented and sensitive camera operator. "Neither guarded nor evasive, the Kubrick who emerges from these interviews is candid, opinionated, confident, and articulate. His incredible memory and his gift for organization come to light as he quotes verbatim sections of reviews, books, and articles. Despite his reputation as a recluse, the Kubrick of these interviews is approachable, witty, full of anecdotes, and eager to share a fascinating story.Gene D. Phillips, S.J., is a professor of English at Loyola University in Chicago, where he teaches fiction and the history of film. He is the author of many notable books on film and is a founding member of the editorial board of bothLiterature/Film QuarterlyandThe Tennessee Williams Journal. He was acquainted with Stanley Kubrick for twenty-five years.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Chronology	xiii
Filmography	xvii
The Hollywood War of Independence	3	(6)
Colin Young
Stanley Kubrick and Dr. Strangelove	9	(8)
Elaine Dundy
Beyond the Stars	17	(4)
Jeremy Bernstein
Profile: Stanley Kubrick	21	(26)
Jeremy Bernstein
Playboy Interview: Stanley Kubrick	47	(28)
Eric Nordern
A Talk with Stanley Kubrick about 2001	75	(5)
Maurice Rapf
The Film Director as Superstar: Stanley Kubrick	80	(25)
Joseph Gelmis
Mind's Eye: A Clockwork Orange	105	(3)
John Hofsess
Kubrick Country	108	(8)
Penelope Houston
Kubrick's Creative Concern	116	(10)
Gene Siskel
Modern Times: An Interview with Stanley Kubrick	126	(14)
Philip Strick
Penelope Houston
Stop the World: Stanley Kubrick	140	(19)
Gene D. Phillips
Kubrick's Grandest Gamble: Barry Lyndon	159	(12)
Martha Duffy
Richard Schickel
Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam War	171	(6)
Francis Clines
Candidly Kubrick	177	(12)
Gene Siskel
The Rolling Stone Interview: Stanley Kubrick	189	(16)
Tim Cahill
Index	205