Altman

by Kathryn Reed Altman, D'Agnolo Vallan Giulia, Martin Scorsese (Introduction)

For decades, Robert Altman fascinated audiences with pioneering films—among them M*A*S*H , Nashville , The Player , and Gosford Park —that combined technical innovation with subversive, satirical humor and impassioned political engage­ment. His ability to explore and engage so many different worlds with a single, coherent vision changed the landscape of cinema forever. This signature "Altmanesque" style is, in the words of Martin "as recognizable and familiar as Renoir's brushstrokes or Debussy's orchestrations."
Now, the Altman estate opens its archive to celebrate his extraordinary life and career in the first authorized visual biography on the iconoclastic director. Altman , by Altman’s widow Kathryn Reed Altman and film critic Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan, brims with photographs and ephemera, many culled from private family albums, and personal recollections of the director. Alongside the intimate illustrated story is a complete visual, historical, and critical narrative of Altman’s films and his process.
To honor the Altman trademark of using a wide cast of characters, Altman also features contributions from his collaborators and contemporaries including Frank Barhydt, E. L. Doctorow, Roger Ebert, Jules Feiffer, Julian Fellowes, James Franco, Tess Gallagher, Pauline Kael, Garrison Keillor, Michael Murphy, Martin Scorsese, Lily Tomlin, Alan Rudolph, Michael Tolkin, and Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Biography

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2014

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous tribute to Robert Altman and his fabulous (well, mostly!) list of films.
A spectacular and large scale Abrams edition with some excellent articles by notable film critics and fellow filmmakers.
Lots of wonderful behind-the-scenes stuff with an amazing range of photos of Altman, private and public.
Best of all: the extraordinary collection of stills, production paraphernalia and location material from all his movies with Altman totally immersed in every aspect of the filmmaking process.
Not all his films were favorites of mine but I truly thank him for creating so many wonderful films especially his classics from the 1970s: "MASH"; "McCabe & Mrs Miller"; "Nashville" and "3 Women"
A phenomenal film book that should be in every film buff's library.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this isn't the book to come to if you're looking for in-depth analysis or commentary on the films, it has its own charms to make up for it. There are interviews with Altman's friends and colleagues, reminisces from Altman's widow, and a wealth of family photos and on-set material. A beautifully designed book.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This large format, richly illustrated and detailed book about Robert Altman, my favorite film director of all time, who died a few years ago is a fascinating source of information for anyone who loved his films.

[Pablo]

Es un precioso coffee table book, repleto de fotografías personales y francamente únicas, que viene acompañado de rememoraciones, todo supervisado por la viuda de Robert Altman, Kathryn Reed Altman. Los textos de ella son inusuales porque son personales pero están estupendamente escritos. La gran académica italiana de Altman, Giulia D'Agnolo Vallan, es quien escribe los textos de análisis.

Entre las más bellas evocaciones se cuentan la de productores, guionistas (como Julian Fellowes), actores (hay un par de Michael Murphy) o la de Tess Gallagher, viuda de Raymond Carver. Extraordinariamente recomendable!

[Sherrie74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a major fan and admirer of Robert Altman I can not say enough about this book. Large enough to be called a Coffee Table book, it is extremely filled with personal and professional photos. Every photo has a mini description which is amazing. Reviews and filming details of most of his films give added insight. If you are an Altman fan .... it would be well worth it to get from your library or to find it to add to your personal library if you are a film addict.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table styled book that encompasses all of director Robert Altman's films with a very brief synopsis and history of each. The on set photos are great, but the best part are essays by noted actors and writers and critics. Also, each decade is capped by personal photo album selections with comments by his wife showing places, sets, and the huge family and friends.

[Christian Hamaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. An easy, informative read that told me things I already knew - and then added to them. I'd happily recommend this as an Altman primer to those just getting to know the filmmaker, but my heart is still with Mitch Zuckoff's ROBERT ALTMAN: THE ORAL BIOGRAPHY for the best overview (from multiple perspectives) of Altman.

[James Moore]

Heard about it from Blank Check reddit

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Nashville to Prairie Home Companion, Altman created many of my favorite films.

An excellent book about the person, his directing style, and the actors. RECOMMENDED.

[Cameron K]

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