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Stardust: The Visual Companion
Neil Gaiman’s critically-acclaimed adult fairy tale makes the leap from novel to screen in this spectacular new movie starring Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Rupert Everett, Peter O’Toole, Sienna Miller and Ricky Gervais.
Tristran Thorn vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. His quest leads over an ancient wall, into a magical realm strange beyond imagining…
This stunning hardcover volume follows the storyline of the movie, with commentary & interviews with the starry cast and the crew, enchanting color photos, and beautiful, fully painted production art, the full magical screenplay and an exclusive introduction by Neil Gaiman.
Tristran Thorn vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. His quest leads over an ancient wall, into a magical realm strange beyond imagining…
This stunning hardcover volume follows the storyline of the movie, with commentary & interviews with the starry cast and the crew, enchanting color photos, and beautiful, fully painted production art, the full magical screenplay and an exclusive introduction by Neil Gaiman.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 10, 2007
8 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Jones
276 books345 followersStephen Jones is an eighteen-time winner of the British Fantasy Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 11, 2009
If you haven't watched the movie, watch it. It's a very good movie, comically fun and charming.
This book is like the audio commentary that goes with the DVD, except it packs more interesting details. The advantage of a book in this case is, it enjoyed at a more leisurely pace.
Although Amazon stated that this book is hard covered, the copy I have in my hands is actually soft covered. Not much difference really, since it doesn't take away anything.
This is a "Making of" book. The process of creating the movie is well documented. You'll get to read about every minute detail that happens on set, like how much it cost Neil Gaiman to write the story — A blue Watermans fountain pen, two notebooks and many cups of tea.
There's the evolution of the story from its illustrated form to its movie equivalent. This book has what makes "Making of" books great, it explains the story and everything else related to the story. You'll understand from character casting, scene composition to prop designs that all linked back to the story and add to it in some way.
The book is also rich in comments from Neil Gaiman, the directors and actors. That's like following these people on set while they are filming.
Plenty of high quality movie stills, some concept sketches and paintings are included. At the end of the book, the movie script is included. But note that this is not an art book. The focus of the book is on bringing you behind the camera into the production process.
This review was first published on parkablogs.com. There are more pictures and videos on my blog.
This book is like the audio commentary that goes with the DVD, except it packs more interesting details. The advantage of a book in this case is, it enjoyed at a more leisurely pace.
Although Amazon stated that this book is hard covered, the copy I have in my hands is actually soft covered. Not much difference really, since it doesn't take away anything.
This is a "Making of" book. The process of creating the movie is well documented. You'll get to read about every minute detail that happens on set, like how much it cost Neil Gaiman to write the story — A blue Watermans fountain pen, two notebooks and many cups of tea.
There's the evolution of the story from its illustrated form to its movie equivalent. This book has what makes "Making of" books great, it explains the story and everything else related to the story. You'll understand from character casting, scene composition to prop designs that all linked back to the story and add to it in some way.
The book is also rich in comments from Neil Gaiman, the directors and actors. That's like following these people on set while they are filming.
Plenty of high quality movie stills, some concept sketches and paintings are included. At the end of the book, the movie script is included. But note that this is not an art book. The focus of the book is on bringing you behind the camera into the production process.
This review was first published on parkablogs.com. There are more pictures and videos on my blog.
March 16, 2021
I recently re-watched Stardust on Netflix, so I decided it was time to tackle this book once again, too. I remember buying it for £1 at Forbidden Planet's megastore in London, never had an ounce of regret about that.
The book follows the chronology of the film, explains what happens, and goes behind the scenes on all levels. There are numerous interviews with the cast and crew, Vess and Gaiman, a lot of drawings, stills and other art from the film, background information about the filming process, differences with the book and why they were made... All in all, 160 pages filled to the brim with exactly what you might want to know. That is then followed by the entire script, including some bits and pieces that were, in the end, cut out from the final film version. The only annoying thing, really, is that this book was published before the movie was released, so every quote is accompanied by phrases such as 'reveals X', while by now everyone has seen the film of course, so nothing is 'revealed' anymore, but fine. I'm just being difficult now.
8.3/10
The book follows the chronology of the film, explains what happens, and goes behind the scenes on all levels. There are numerous interviews with the cast and crew, Vess and Gaiman, a lot of drawings, stills and other art from the film, background information about the filming process, differences with the book and why they were made... All in all, 160 pages filled to the brim with exactly what you might want to know. That is then followed by the entire script, including some bits and pieces that were, in the end, cut out from the final film version. The only annoying thing, really, is that this book was published before the movie was released, so every quote is accompanied by phrases such as 'reveals X', while by now everyone has seen the film of course, so nothing is 'revealed' anymore, but fine. I'm just being difficult now.
8.3/10
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July 22, 2009در صورت تمایل، جهت مشخصات فیلمی که بر اساس این کتاب ساخته شده است؛ میتوانید از لینک زیر استفاده بفرمایید
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0257360
May 24, 2017
Stardust is a fairy tale for adults which I first read way back in 1998. I wondered if it still had any appeal. Would I still like it? Does it still retain its charm? The answer is yes.
Stardust starts with Dunstan Thorn – every nine years the Faerie market takes place on the perimeter of Wall, the town which is named after the wall which surrounds it. Dunstan rents out his cottage to a stranger in exchange he will receive his ‘Heart’s Desire’ like in all good fairy stories, plus rent for the cottage.
The next day in the market, he meets Una, a princess imprisoned by the witch called Semele. He purchases a glass snowdrop from her and with a kiss he gives the flower to his fiancée Daisy. That night, Dunstan meets Una in the woods and makes love to her. A month later, Dunstan marries Daisy. In a short time Dunstan receives a baby in a basket, his and Una's son, Tristran Thorn.
From this point on the main focus of the story moves on 18 years. Young Tristran Thorn who is half Faerie himself, raised by his father and Daisy, who he believes is his mother. Tristran seeks the love of Victoria Forester ‘the most beautiful girl for a hundred miles around.’ Whilst walking her home one night they see a shooting star. He vows to bring it to her in exchange for a kiss and her hand in marriage. Victoria thinks Tristran will never actually fulfill his promise. With the help of his father Dunstan, Tristran eludes the guards at the gate of Wall and enters Faerie.
When Tristran finds the star he learns that it is not a rock but a beautiful young woman, named Yvaine, whose leg was broken from the fall. Tristran explains to Yvaine his situation and feeling insulted Yvaine refuses, so Tristran consequently ties her to him using a magical chain to bring her to Victoria. However, during the journey returning back to his town, Wall, Tristran and Yvaine learn that there are other evil folks after her, as her heart provides long-life and eternal beauty when consumed.
The writing in Stardust is beautiful. Gaiman manages to weave subtle slices of magic throughout the story. It’s full of delicate and ethereal prose, colourful characters and lots of dark and shadowy corners. The character of Tristan comes across as a little goofy and clueless, but his earnestness makes him likable. His infatuation with Victoria makes him an endearing character as most of us have felt the same about someone at some point in our lives and it certainly makes him easier to relate to. Yvaine however is the complete opposite, sharp-tongued and a little naive, but a good match for Tristan and for a while they have many humorous verbal sparring matches.
Toward the end of the novel Tristran learns that his love for Victoria was just infatuation and realises what he has got in Yvaine. Stardust is an absolutely charming read full of adventure, quick wit, elegant prose. It will make you laugh and is an outstanding and timeless story, just like all Faerie tales should be.
Stardust starts with Dunstan Thorn – every nine years the Faerie market takes place on the perimeter of Wall, the town which is named after the wall which surrounds it. Dunstan rents out his cottage to a stranger in exchange he will receive his ‘Heart’s Desire’ like in all good fairy stories, plus rent for the cottage.
The next day in the market, he meets Una, a princess imprisoned by the witch called Semele. He purchases a glass snowdrop from her and with a kiss he gives the flower to his fiancée Daisy. That night, Dunstan meets Una in the woods and makes love to her. A month later, Dunstan marries Daisy. In a short time Dunstan receives a baby in a basket, his and Una's son, Tristran Thorn.
From this point on the main focus of the story moves on 18 years. Young Tristran Thorn who is half Faerie himself, raised by his father and Daisy, who he believes is his mother. Tristran seeks the love of Victoria Forester ‘the most beautiful girl for a hundred miles around.’ Whilst walking her home one night they see a shooting star. He vows to bring it to her in exchange for a kiss and her hand in marriage. Victoria thinks Tristran will never actually fulfill his promise. With the help of his father Dunstan, Tristran eludes the guards at the gate of Wall and enters Faerie.
When Tristran finds the star he learns that it is not a rock but a beautiful young woman, named Yvaine, whose leg was broken from the fall. Tristran explains to Yvaine his situation and feeling insulted Yvaine refuses, so Tristran consequently ties her to him using a magical chain to bring her to Victoria. However, during the journey returning back to his town, Wall, Tristran and Yvaine learn that there are other evil folks after her, as her heart provides long-life and eternal beauty when consumed.
The writing in Stardust is beautiful. Gaiman manages to weave subtle slices of magic throughout the story. It’s full of delicate and ethereal prose, colourful characters and lots of dark and shadowy corners. The character of Tristan comes across as a little goofy and clueless, but his earnestness makes him likable. His infatuation with Victoria makes him an endearing character as most of us have felt the same about someone at some point in our lives and it certainly makes him easier to relate to. Yvaine however is the complete opposite, sharp-tongued and a little naive, but a good match for Tristan and for a while they have many humorous verbal sparring matches.
Toward the end of the novel Tristran learns that his love for Victoria was just infatuation and realises what he has got in Yvaine. Stardust is an absolutely charming read full of adventure, quick wit, elegant prose. It will make you laugh and is an outstanding and timeless story, just like all Faerie tales should be.
February 20, 2013
I didn't think this was necessarily a bad book, but I do agree that it's not as good as the movie. If I'd read it before watching the movie, I might have given it 5 stars. The book has most of the points that the movie did, except there are major changes to each point that just made the whole thing more exciting in the movie. There wasn't really a climax in the book, or at least not one that I could feel in my bones. Probably the most important difference was that, in the book, there's no time limit on the journey. In fact, Tristran is gone for nearly half a year in the book. The whole business with the witches was also incredibly anti-climatic and disappointing as well.
All together, I don't regret reading the book, but it was just an alright book. Nothing super spectacular, and it definitely didn't capture my heart like the movie did. Neil Gaiman actually did kind of an awful job of portraying the romance that grew between Tristran and Yvaine.
All together, I don't regret reading the book, but it was just an alright book. Nothing super spectacular, and it definitely didn't capture my heart like the movie did. Neil Gaiman actually did kind of an awful job of portraying the romance that grew between Tristran and Yvaine.
April 2, 2008
Neil gaiman is one of my favorite authors. He has a creative way of twisting his stories into something previously unimagined. Stardust is a perfect example. He takes what should be a standard fairy tale and twists it into an amazing adventure. Seven brothers who must win the throne by being the last man standing, a fallen star who turns out to be a sarcastic girl, an enslaved princess and a boy who sets out on his quest with one goal in mind and returns home a year later on a compleatly different quest. I do have to admit, the movie is better. I like the end of the book, but it does seem anticlimatic on the surface, and some of the charaters who make a brief apearance in the book, are developed and make the movie delightful. Either way they are both worth your time. I have not read the grafic novel version but am sure it is wonderful as well.
September 7, 2011
This is the romantic story of Tristran who travels in the land of faerie to find a star that fell when he knelt to propose to the beautiful Victoria who says she will accept him when he brings her the star. His adventures are many but the dauntless young man survives all and finds the star linking her to him with a silver chain. Yvaine hates Tristran and he plans to take her home to Victoria but when he saves her life from the witch queen she is bound to him forever. The two travel to the wall which he crosses to visit his family and the lovely Victoria who vows to keep her promise in spite of the fact that she loves someone else. This is a romantic read most appropriate for young readers.
June 8, 2015
Stardust is one of the most underrated films of the 00's, it is (in my opinion) this generation's "The Princess Bride". Although somewhat different from Neil Gaiman's book, the changes all[1] make the film a better film. This book goes behind the scenes of the movie's production, with lovely photos and production design sketches showing how they chose the look of sets, costumes, and visual effects. The costumes in particular are amazingly detailed, and small interviews with the designer give extra hints that you wouldn't notice at a glance. The book finishes with the screenplay, which is interesting if only for the scenes that didn't make the final cut.
[1] Well apart from Ricky Gervais, I could have done with another actor in that role. But that's my personal opinion.
[1] Well apart from Ricky Gervais, I could have done with another actor in that role. But that's my personal opinion.
September 6, 2007
Full of beautiful stills, both from the film and from the backlot, as well as art from the original graphic novel, conversations with director Matthew Vaughn, author Neil Gaiman, artist Charles Vess, actors Charlie Cox and Claire Danes, and fascinating bits of trivia about the filming process, this book is a great read for anyone who enjoyed the movie. Be careful, though; the entire story is eventually spoiled, so watch the movie and read the novel first.
September 8, 2008
I saw the movie and loved it so I thought I would like the book just as much. This book is nothing like the movie. Not that being different is a bad thing. It shocked me so much that I had a hard time getting into at first. Also there are a few sex moments and some language. I am used to the oh so happy ending of the movie that I was let down. Maybe I would like it more if I had not see the movie first.
April 15, 2010
A great companion to the movie Stardust. I loved the movie, but didn't like the original book as much. For me this bridged the gap a bit, explaining why certain things had been changed, and also a lot of commentary from Neil Gaiman about his original version. Also a lot of other neat information about the making of the film, casting, locations, costumes, etc. etc. All in all pretty neat, and a pretty quick read considering the size.
January 3, 2009
It could maybe be 5 stars but I can't finish reading the book because pages 85- something or other are in there twice and the pages that should be in that spot are missing... grrr! Update: I got a new book and finished it, I really liked it but I'm still giving it 4 stars. There are some things I liked better in the movie and some things I liked better in the book
August 22, 2007
This book talks about the making of the movie "Stardust". It was a pretty good book. I wished they would have told more of how things were done rather than just explain the plot. But they did have good bits from different people they interviewed. So overall it was worth reading.
April 20, 2008
A very imaginative love story.. another Gaiman's finest book ever publish :) and the movie itself, though some scenes were changed and deleted, I can say that the twist and turns of events still leaped my heart out :)
April 23, 2008
yay neil gaiman!
i only wish i'd read it first before seeing the film version. the film was good but not true to the book in the ending, and i hate the hollywood-ized bastardization of good text.
fun read though!
i only wish i'd read it first before seeing the film version. the film was good but not true to the book in the ending, and i hate the hollywood-ized bastardization of good text.
fun read though!
April 28, 2008
Stupid.Cheesy.should've stopped reading by the 40th page. Fairytalelike(good, but in this case, in an exaggerated way.) All characters have very intensified personalities. Better as a movie, probably.
June 28, 2008
I just finish to read this book but after i watch the movie is like the fairytale for a adult with a beautiful and imagination, but to bad the ending i rather to choose the movie more clear but if you like Neil Gaiman you should read it (but in my opinion after u read it please watch the movie ^^)
December 25, 2008
Quite a long book and with quite small font, but one of my favorite books. I saw the movie before I read the book and the book was very different to the movie. I actually liked the book better than the movie, but I recommend the movie as well as the book.
April 14, 2009
Love, Love, Loved the movie so I thought I'd pick up the book. Two sexual encounters I did not appreciate. This was not the case of the book being better than the movie. I will stick with the movie and bypass the book.
September 17, 2012
An adult version of Fairy Tale. When I read this I find very doubtful Tristan's courtship to Victoria, whom I find unworthy for her. But I really love the relationship between Tristan and Yvaine including the part where she insults him in their meeting.
August 20, 2007
Excellent book for those who loved the movie!! It has great full color pictures as well as the screenplay in the back.
December 20, 2007
Original. Costume. Sketches. All I needed to know.
April 5, 2008
A nice story. Quick read.
August 27, 2008
Lots of fascinating information about the costumes and landscapes, as well as the intent behind the characters! The pictures were really nice too.
September 24, 2008
Wasn't as good as I thought. :( a very rare occasion when I prefer the movie over the book : / but it was still entertaining enough. I would suggest just sticking to the movie though ;)
September 16, 2009
such a great fantasy novel.
April 26, 2015
Love learning about the behind the scenes efforts of films but this book made me love the film more than I already do :) would now love to read the original book!
September 6, 2007
Tritran Thron is in search of a star for her heart's desire.
It is love. :)
It is love. :)
January 27, 2009
i loved the movie but i loved the book way way more if your a fantacy lover you should read it
March 28, 2009
Not as good as the film but worth reading. I liked the humour that was added to the film
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews