Burton on Burton

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Pages: 208 (Paperback)

Editor: Mark Salisbury

ISBN: 0571229263

Pub: Faber and Faber

Pub date: 2006-03-02

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 42844

Editorial Review:

Hollywood's relationship with Tim Burton has always been a little uneasy. A fiercely individual artist working within the constraints of the studio system, Burton has made some incredibly successful films--notably the 1989 blockbuster Batman and its first sequel--but the industry just doesn't know what to make of him. In the Foreword to this book, Burton favourite Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow) observes that "I have never seen someone so obviously out of place fit right in. His way."
Taking the form of an extended interview, Burton on Burton allows the director space to discuss his films, and to digress where this seems illuminating; it also includes an impressive selection of film stills and Burton's drawings. Mark Salisbury does not so much question Burton, as guide the director through his own career, commenting where necessary but managing never to seem intrusive. Burton discusses his childhood and his often unhappy time at Disney ("I would sit in the closet a lot of the time and not come out"), before moving on to offer a fascinating insight into his idiosyncratic body of work.

Burton comes across as a man in love with "the joy of creating", but one who is refreshingly lacking in pretensions. He describes himself as a "commercial director", taking the financial investment which is put into his films very seriously, and saying of his work that "I'm very wary of analysing it too intellectually." At the same time, he has a genuine enthusiasm for cinema, discussing his influences--which range from Godzilla to Fellini--but stressing that he never aims for a literal homage to a favourite film. The director's enthusiasm is infectious. This an essential volume for Burton's fans, and an entertaining read for anyone else--it's hard not to like a director who (discussing Mars Attacks) declares that "It seemed like a good idea to just blow away celebrities with ray-guns." --John Oates

Reader Reviews:

Good, Not Excellent. (9/14 people found this helpful)

As Director Tim Burton leads us through his Dark & Mysterious life through the lens, he talks freely on the tones and depth of his work, including his earlier shorts 'Vincent' and 'Frankenweenie'. Beginning with an intriguing foreword by Actor Johnny Depp that tells all on his first encounter with Burton and their friendship as it stands. Written in interview form and full of Burton's own conceptual art, stills from movies and most interestingly his break through in the Disney Studio's. A bit depressing as if we are made to feel sorry for him, but a good book nevertheless.

Like its subject... dark, involved, and challenging (14/15 people found this helpful)

If you've seen Tim Burton in a broadcast interview, chances are that you know that he is not the most fluid of speakers, and for this reason I approached this extended interview with trepidation. However, beneath the sombre dust-jacket is an energetic and lively human being, who infuses the most simplistic life experiences with an infectious enthusiasm which makes this book an absolute joy.

The prose simply sparkles with intelligence, and probably just scratches the surface of his brilliance. Burton impresses with his underlying sense of artistic integrity, but amazes with his heartfelt discussions about art and character. He wants you to share the sense of fun that these experiences have given him, and speaks passionately on many aspects of life. Here is someone not afraid to relate the most pedantic details if he considers them to have impacted his vision, and this is where the book excels most. In many ways, the talk about his actual films is comparatively mundane when compared to recollections of the experiences that shaped them.

Topped off with a selection of Burton's distinctive artwork, this is a fine addition to the library of any movie fan, and it will leave you in awe of one of a cinematic talent that defies categorisation. In the foreword, Johnny Depp calls Burton a genius, and having read the man's take on the world, I think that it's a label I wouldn't argue with. This book is an exemplary example of the interview form, and proof that the best medium for preserving discussion will always be the written page.

Light on Graphics, heavy on text (6/10 people found this helpful)

It should be noted that this is an interveiw with Burton where he discusses his artistic philosophy, his life, his inspiration, and the making of his movies. There are few pictures, and they are small. Burton fans will really enjoy getting to know him as a person, but those expecting good pictures of his art will be dissapointed.

This was an awesome book filled with words by Burton himself (5/8 people found this helpful)

The reason I'm only giving this a nine is because all though this was an easy reading book with insight on many of my favorite movies it lacked information on Burton himself. This book was more of a "Burton on Burton's movies" rather then on himself. I loved this book and I thought it had great pictures and great stories of what went on behind the movies and how they came to be, but I was expecting this to be more of a biography. But for any Burton fan...this is something exciting to read that you really must have.

I Really, Really, Really, Really like Tim Burton. (4/11 people found this helpful)

After reading this really, really, really, really, really good autobiography, I have only one thought... I wish Tim Burton was my dad.

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