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Kubrick: The Complete Films
Past, present, future: the world through Kubrick's eyes: The incomparable career of a cinematic genius
One of the most esteemed filmmakers of all time, Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) was also one of the most enigmatic. He broke into the film scene at the age of 26 with the ambitious, independently produced Killer’s Kiss and within a few years was working with the likes of Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, and Peter Sellers on seminal movies such as Lolita and Spartacus. Having gained the support of actors, producers, and movie studios with his early efforts, Kubrick garnered the creative control he needed to produce uncompromising masterpieces such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Clockwork Orange, and Barry Lyndon. Polishing off 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut just before his untimely death, Stanley Kubrick left behind a puzzling and positively brilliant body of work.
One of the most esteemed filmmakers of all time, Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) was also one of the most enigmatic. He broke into the film scene at the age of 26 with the ambitious, independently produced Killer’s Kiss and within a few years was working with the likes of Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, and Peter Sellers on seminal movies such as Lolita and Spartacus. Having gained the support of actors, producers, and movie studios with his early efforts, Kubrick garnered the creative control he needed to produce uncompromising masterpieces such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Clockwork Orange, and Barry Lyndon. Polishing off 1999’s Eyes Wide Shut just before his untimely death, Stanley Kubrick left behind a puzzling and positively brilliant body of work.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 19, 2023
"Anyone who has ever been privileged to direct a film knows that, although it can be like trying to write 'War and Peace' in a bumper car at an amusement park, when you finally get it right, there are not many joys in life that can equal THAT feeling.". -- film director Stanley Kubrick, on page 9
Although not an especially prolific director - only thirteen features and three short documentaries over the course of 47 years - Kubrick still made an indelible impression with his somewhat limited but very respectable filmography. His early works such as the racetrack robbery gone-wrong The Killing and the anti-war Paths of Glory, both tight b&w marvels that clocked in at under 90 minutes, soon gave way to the Technicolor epics like Spartacus and 2001: A Space Odyssey and then a quartet of decidedly mature and occasionally controversial fare with A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, and Eyes Wide Shut. Duncan's Stanley Kubrick: The Complete Films documents these aforementioned movies, plus includes biographical content and a fair amount of quotes from the man himself, notable because he was something of a recluse from the mid-1960's onward after moving to Great Britain and not sitting for filmed interviews. Being issued by the Taschen label also means a copious amount of photographs, and this book does not disappoint - there are plenty of familiar and/or little-seen production or publicity shots, as well as rare behind-the-scenes stills, with my favorite being a crane shot from Spartacus, showing an assembled Roman legion standing at attention . . . and just beyond the facade of 'ancient' buildings you can see the golf course that borders the Universal Studios property in suburban Los Angeles - movie magic at its finest! ;-)
Although not an especially prolific director - only thirteen features and three short documentaries over the course of 47 years - Kubrick still made an indelible impression with his somewhat limited but very respectable filmography. His early works such as the racetrack robbery gone-wrong The Killing and the anti-war Paths of Glory, both tight b&w marvels that clocked in at under 90 minutes, soon gave way to the Technicolor epics like Spartacus and 2001: A Space Odyssey and then a quartet of decidedly mature and occasionally controversial fare with A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, and Eyes Wide Shut. Duncan's Stanley Kubrick: The Complete Films documents these aforementioned movies, plus includes biographical content and a fair amount of quotes from the man himself, notable because he was something of a recluse from the mid-1960's onward after moving to Great Britain and not sitting for filmed interviews. Being issued by the Taschen label also means a copious amount of photographs, and this book does not disappoint - there are plenty of familiar and/or little-seen production or publicity shots, as well as rare behind-the-scenes stills, with my favorite being a crane shot from Spartacus, showing an assembled Roman legion standing at attention . . . and just beyond the facade of 'ancient' buildings you can see the golf course that borders the Universal Studios property in suburban Los Angeles - movie magic at its finest! ;-)
February 10, 2017
When Taschen (the book publisher) really turns it out—I mean balls-to-the-wall and full-tilt boogie—their books are astonishing, comparable in fact to the works of art they often celebrate. But there are also the lesser Taschen efforts, which are usually quite ordinary and (in the case of Paul Duncan's Stanley Kubrick) more like glorified theater programs for an artist's career. You know... typical promotional bullshit—a 'collector's item'—an advertising phrase that implicitly accuses you of being an inadequate Kubrick groupie if you don't run out, buy it, and throw your brassiere at it.
This book gallops through Kubrick's career with grainy photographs and superfluous textual blather and doesn't really bring very much new to the table for Kubrick fans. It should be categorized strictly as fan memorabilia rather than as a serious or thoroughgoing work. It's something a twentysomething year old 'dude' would buy right after he saw A Clockwork Orange for the first time. He'd put it out on his Urban Outfitters coffee table next to the vintage orange-glass bong and his artfully splayed tickets to the next Decemberists concert. People would see it and think, 'Oh. That.' And he'd be all, like, 'Did you see Clockwork? That shit was sick, son.'
When I say that a young man would put this on his coffee table, I am implying that the young man doesn't have much style because this is one of the not-so-attractive books put out by Taschen. The cover is decorated with its 25th anniversary design and a standard-issue font and binding. The photograph from 2001 isn't really what I would have picked for a cover myself, but taste is subjective. And these cover designs (for Duncan's Hitchcock: ditto) are subjectively awful and utilitarian.
As of this writing, I have seen all of Kubrick's films except Fear and Desire, Killer's Kiss, The Killing, and Spartacus, but Spartacus is slowly inching its way up my Netflix queue (and I am waiting for the imminent release of The Killing by Criterion). The only one that I out-and-out did not like was Full Metal Jacket, which felt hokey and ordinary for Kubrick. Lolita is unsatisfying (and Peter Sellers almost ruins it), but it sits squarely on the fence between goodness and badness. 2001: A Space Odyssey and Dr. Strangelove are unqualified masterpieces. The Shining meanwhile is a minor masterpiece, marred only by a few small fumbles here and there. I am saying all of this to show that I am indeed a Kubrick fan, although perhaps not of the most rabid stripe. Therefore, I had to buy this book. My non-possession would have impugned my integrity as a Kubrick fan. MARKETING: WIN.
This book gallops through Kubrick's career with grainy photographs and superfluous textual blather and doesn't really bring very much new to the table for Kubrick fans. It should be categorized strictly as fan memorabilia rather than as a serious or thoroughgoing work. It's something a twentysomething year old 'dude' would buy right after he saw A Clockwork Orange for the first time. He'd put it out on his Urban Outfitters coffee table next to the vintage orange-glass bong and his artfully splayed tickets to the next Decemberists concert. People would see it and think, 'Oh. That.' And he'd be all, like, 'Did you see Clockwork? That shit was sick, son.'
When I say that a young man would put this on his coffee table, I am implying that the young man doesn't have much style because this is one of the not-so-attractive books put out by Taschen. The cover is decorated with its 25th anniversary design and a standard-issue font and binding. The photograph from 2001 isn't really what I would have picked for a cover myself, but taste is subjective. And these cover designs (for Duncan's Hitchcock: ditto) are subjectively awful and utilitarian.
As of this writing, I have seen all of Kubrick's films except Fear and Desire, Killer's Kiss, The Killing, and Spartacus, but Spartacus is slowly inching its way up my Netflix queue (and I am waiting for the imminent release of The Killing by Criterion). The only one that I out-and-out did not like was Full Metal Jacket, which felt hokey and ordinary for Kubrick. Lolita is unsatisfying (and Peter Sellers almost ruins it), but it sits squarely on the fence between goodness and badness. 2001: A Space Odyssey and Dr. Strangelove are unqualified masterpieces. The Shining meanwhile is a minor masterpiece, marred only by a few small fumbles here and there. I am saying all of this to show that I am indeed a Kubrick fan, although perhaps not of the most rabid stripe. Therefore, I had to buy this book. My non-possession would have impugned my integrity as a Kubrick fan. MARKETING: WIN.
July 9, 2021
A lot of reviewers on here clearly don't think much of this book, but on first impressions I'm already giving it four stars. As is so often the case, for such an important director, there is a singular lack of good books available, but then again, it all depends on what you're looking for in a book, doesn't it? Kubrick was an obsessive, a recluse, a very private man. Even his immediate family didn't seem to know him very well. So it's really not likely that there will be any great revelations about him 20+ years after his death if you ask me.
I've bought two or three other Kubrick books in the past and don't have them anymore because they were disappointing and I didn't want to give them houseroom. This one looks better to me. I think I'll be keeping it.
***
I finished this last night and will stand by what I said earlier. A worthy addition to my cinema bookshelf.
I've bought two or three other Kubrick books in the past and don't have them anymore because they were disappointing and I didn't want to give them houseroom. This one looks better to me. I think I'll be keeping it.
***
I finished this last night and will stand by what I said earlier. A worthy addition to my cinema bookshelf.
March 23, 2021
Uma viagem cronológica pelos filmes de Stanley Kubrick, com o resumo de cada um deles, acompanhada de fotografias retiradas dos filmes e das suas filmagens. O mais interessante são os comentários do próprio Kubrick sobre a arte do cinema (retirados de outros locais), e algumas histórias do início da carreira do realizador. Infelizmente, não há muito deste conteúdo de curiosidades, limitando-se o livro praticamente a fazer sinopses desnecessárias dos filmes e a apresentar imagens (alternando sem lógica entre cores e preto branco no mesmo filme), imagens estas que preferimos ver em movimento, a dançar ao som da música e da nossa imaginação.
November 25, 2023
2.5 Stars!
“We are capable of the greatest good and the greatest evil, and the problem is that we often can’t distinguish between them when it suits our purpose.”
Reader beware this is a veritable spoiler frenzy. Considering the gravity of the subject matter, the standard of writing seems pretty flat and dull, particularly in the opening parts, though in fairness, it does pick up a little as we get further into Kubrick’s career.
The author gets into the duality and dichotomy going on throughout much of the director’s movies. We learn some insight, but you can’t help feeling that this really has a cut and paste feel about it, and leaves you feeling that you've viewed another middle of the road documentary, without really learning anything new about the man or his work.
“The best education in film is to make one.”
So overall this is interesting enough, with some decent photos and images, without getting into any great detail. This isn’t one of Taschen’s better offerings, rarely if ever did this get above mediocre.
“We are capable of the greatest good and the greatest evil, and the problem is that we often can’t distinguish between them when it suits our purpose.”
Reader beware this is a veritable spoiler frenzy. Considering the gravity of the subject matter, the standard of writing seems pretty flat and dull, particularly in the opening parts, though in fairness, it does pick up a little as we get further into Kubrick’s career.
The author gets into the duality and dichotomy going on throughout much of the director’s movies. We learn some insight, but you can’t help feeling that this really has a cut and paste feel about it, and leaves you feeling that you've viewed another middle of the road documentary, without really learning anything new about the man or his work.
“The best education in film is to make one.”
So overall this is interesting enough, with some decent photos and images, without getting into any great detail. This isn’t one of Taschen’s better offerings, rarely if ever did this get above mediocre.
January 19, 2023
merci gianni part 3👍
April 3, 2019
This book was very interesting and I learnt a lot about Stanley Kubrick such as his family, how he got into making films, his detail for every little thing in his films. I also found his relationship with his actors very interesting as Kubrick would go to extreme measures to get the best performance out of them. This book was interesting and entertaining,I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Stanley Kubrick or film , I gave it 4 stars out of five.
February 5, 2017
Interesatísimo análisis sobre la obra y vida de Kubrick. No profundiza demasiado pero si deja las puertas abiertas a seguir investigando e interesándote por el maestro; con una fotografía y fotogramas de una calidad enormes. Una joyita.
February 11, 2021
I was not impressed. Colorful cover, culled from 2001 climax. Book adds nothing new.
December 20, 2016
Magnífica biografía de uno de mis directores de cine preferidos, con análisis de sus películas, su modo de acercarse, progresar y destacar en el séptimo arte y anécdotas de rodaje que consiguen que su lectura sea muy amena. Además he descubierto cómo afectó la "caza de brujas" a las películas de Kubrick, ya que Dalton Trumbo fue uno de sus guionistas en Espartaco, sin acreditar y cobrando honorarios inferiores a los habituales por ser sospechoso de comunismo, eso sí. Puede que me replantee alguna que otra interpretación mía anterior de la obra de este genio.
June 27, 2020
I was always fascinated by Kubrick's movie when I was in grade school. And repeatedly watched his movies and read about behind scene stories. As an adult, I learn to appreciate them more and began to understand them, so I thought.
The book reveals the deeper meaning of his movies, most important, the common thread in all of his films. I would have given a five-star rating, but the sudden ending of the book soon after Kubrick's death, make me feel cheated.
I would recommend to anyone who wants to be a writer, this is a must-read.
The book reveals the deeper meaning of his movies, most important, the common thread in all of his films. I would have given a five-star rating, but the sudden ending of the book soon after Kubrick's death, make me feel cheated.
I would recommend to anyone who wants to be a writer, this is a must-read.
May 29, 2018
I'm all in favour of my biographies being short ones, and here that's perfectly in keeping with the script-light approach of some of the subject's films. No, this would never pass as a book ''by'' Stanley Kubrick, but as one about him it touches all the bases, and the pictorial element is as strong as you'd expect from this publisher.
June 30, 2021
There are some great photos in here, right near other, pixelated crappy photos.
The essay/s is/are nice, and I even learned a new way to look a Kubrick.
Basically, this is a nice website in book form.
The essay/s is/are nice, and I even learned a new way to look a Kubrick.
Basically, this is a nice website in book form.
April 7, 2020
More pictures than words, but I enjoyed looking at them.
October 9, 2020
Fantastic though a small book
January 2, 2022
Maravilloso trabajo visual y de información. Fotografía perfecta
August 20, 2023
Nothing special, but pretty to look at!
December 28, 2024
Text ***
Stills and photos *****
Stills and photos *****
Want to read
July 18, 202521 t7
December 20, 2015
Es adecuado, tal vez mejor indicado para quienes quisieran conocer la filmografía de Stanley Kubrick que para los fanáticos del director.
El libro tiene el mínimo de análisis y de trivia respecto del desarrollo de la carrera del director y las producciones que dirigió. No es, después de todo, una biografía. Lo que sí van a encontrar es un set de fotografías de buena calidad, ideal para recordar cintas en los momentos en que no se puede acudir a su fuente: las películas.
El libro tiene el mínimo de análisis y de trivia respecto del desarrollo de la carrera del director y las producciones que dirigió. No es, después de todo, una biografía. Lo que sí van a encontrar es un set de fotografías de buena calidad, ideal para recordar cintas en los momentos en que no se puede acudir a su fuente: las películas.
October 10, 2014
Je suis un tres grand fan de Stanley Kubrick. Le point fort du livre sont le tres grand nombre de photos des films et tournage des oeuvres de Kubrick. Le point faible est qu'on apprends des choses sur l'homme mais trop peu. Plus d'info aurait du paraitre sur ses methodes de travail sur sa vie familiale.
January 26, 2016
Un agile testo, purtroppo non privo di inesattezze e refusi, che ripercorre la vita e la carriera di Kubrick, prezioso soprattutto per le numerose foto, stampate con la consueta cura dalla Taschen, molte delle quali inedite. Particolarmente interessanti le foto a colori dai set di Orizzonti di Gloria e Lolita.
February 8, 2017
Great pictures, but the text is kind of simple minded - reads like summaries of others' more thoughtful work, prone to grand generalization. Also insists Eyes Wide Shut is Kubrick's most "emotionally mature" work : bullspit.
December 1, 2011
Beautifully designed overview of Kubrick's career as one of the world's most iconoclastic and capable directors. It's not deep in its assessments, and it's got a few typos and other goofs. But it's a fine basic text and the photos included are generally first rate.
September 10, 2008
Another fine text in a series on great filmmakers.
February 17, 2012
A great insight into one of the most talented directors in history. Movie fans must read.
June 10, 2012
Beautifully laid out photography along with just about everything I wanted to know about Kubrick without any added nonsense.
October 10, 2012
An okay book with some terrific pictures. Not for the hardcore Kubrick fan but for the beginners just starting to dip their toes into his work.
March 21, 2013
Good read on Stanley Kubrick. Doesn't really go in depth as I would've liked it to, but nonetheless a very good read for a Kubrick fan, or just a fan of overall film.
March 31, 2013
Always good to look at some BIG PICTURES
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews