Skywalking: The Life And Films of George Lucas

by Dale M. Pollock

Filled with revelations about the origins and making of American Graffiti, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Return of the Jedi, this only full-length biography of filmmaker and cinematic visionary George Lucas has been updated with a substantial new chapter that discusses the revamped Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition, the Star Wars prequels, the filming of the first installment, and the controversial ways in which Lucas's approach and success continue to alter the landscape of the film industry.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Star Wars, Media Tie In, History, Film, Pop Culture

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1984

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t the first time I’ve ever read this and I seriously doubt it’ll be the last - a comprehensive, well-written, nicely laid out biography of George Lucas from his birth up to completing “Return Of The Jedi” (the book was first published in 1983). It keeps pulling me back because the behind-the-scenes details of the films are unrivalled and certainly haven’t appeared in anything else I’ve read on Lucas. It doesn’t appear to pull too many punches, it features interviews with key players from 70s/early 80s cinema and, above all, it’s a gripping read. I was surprised, however, to learn when I started this re-read (I loaded it up to Goodreads.com and also had a look on the Net) that Lucas changed his mind about the book after it was published and is now openly scathing about it - strange, really, because I think he comes out of it well. Apparently, an updated edition appeared in 1999, with information about the prequels, but not much of the intervening 16 years (which would include the acrimonious divorce, amongst other things), but for me, this remains the definitive Lucas biography. A cracking read, well worth a look.

[Eric Gilliland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dale Pollock's informative biography of George Lucas provides a glimpse into the man who shaped the cultural imagination of late 20th century. Described as an aimless teenager with limited ambitions, he miraculously survived a car crash at age 17 and resolved to make something of himself. He cultivated an interest in movies and entered film school at UCLA.

Lucas flourished there and immersed himself in the film making process, with an emphasis on the process. The technical side of movie making fascinated him as he spent hours in the editing room with his own films and even editing for fellow students. His films were experimental and marked by their minimalism and disregard of narrative. In 1969, his student film THX-1138 won accolades for its innovative use of sound in an abstract dystopian tale. During those years he befriended Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, John Milius and many others who set the course of American film in the 1970s.

Coppola, a key figure in the life of Lucas (he based Han Solo on him), served as a Socrates to the UCLA students. He founded Zoetrope, an alternative studio for young independent directors. Pollock portrays the Lucas-Coppola friendship as one of alter egos: George the quiet, workmanlike artist and Coppola the gifted, but sometimes self-destructive visionary. Coppola produced THX-1138 (1971) and American Graffiti (1973). The success of the latter, gave Lucas the time and funding to write his space epic, originally titled The Star Wars.

A good portion of the book covers the years 1974-77. Lucas would spend hours in his office trapped in writer's block. He read comic books, fantasy, and science fiction for inspiration. The story went through an endless series of rewrites and character shuffling. Lucas wanted to create modern mythology set in space while using traditional motifs found in the epic tales of world literature.

The actual filming proved a harrowing experience as unrelenting pressure from the studio pushed Lucas to the verge of nervous breakdown. The challenges did not end with post-production either. He created his own special effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, to create the effects using miniature sets and motion control cameras. Once the effects were perfected and John Williams had completed the score all the elements of Star Wars started to gel together.

Released in May, 1977 Star Wars instantly captured the public's imagination. The movie offered a new hope to a generation raised in the shadow of Watergate and Vietnam. The New Age philosophy of "the Force" captured the zeitgeist as well. Box office records were shattered and the age of the summer blockbuster began.

After the success of Star Wars Lucas opted to let other directors and writers to make the sequels, although he retained creative control. With cohort Spielberg he produced the Indiana Jones trilogy and made some forays into television. A painful and expensive divorce from his wife Marcia Lucas (a highly respected film editor of Taxi Driver and Star Wars) led to to his absence from directing in the 1980s and 1990s.

Originally published in 1984, Pollock added a chapter covering Lucas's return to Star Wars in the 1990s. At times, he takes a critical tone towards Lucas for the simplistic morality in his stories, his reliance on action sequences, and an inability to achieve success outside of Star Wars.

Interestingly Apocalypse Now began as a George Lucas project. He made plans to start shooting in Vietnam on 8mm film as a cinema verite blurring the lines between fact and fiction. While Coppola's version produced a remarkable film, it is tempting to consider what Lucas had in mind. For years Lucas has spoke of plans to make "art" films no one will care about, but they have failed to surface. Is he pulling a Prince and leaving a vault of material unreleased? When looking back at his three films from 1970s THX-1138, American Graffiti, and Star Wars one sees an amazing potential to evolve into something more interesting than sequels, blockbusters, and special effects extravaganzas.

Of the New Hollywood directors, only Spielberg and Scorsese stayed on course. They were always the purest filmmakers and they continue making relevant films in the latter stage of their careers. At the moment, Lucas has settled into elder statesman status. He spent most of the 90s raising his children and returned to public view with the making of the prequel trilogy of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005). Last year he sold the rights of Star Wars over to Disney (a sad irony reflecting the times) who will release the much anticipated, Episode VII next year.

Nevertheless his legacy as a myth maker has shaped modern culture, but also his innovative marketing strategies through toys and comic books have left their mark as well. I only wish we had seen more of the 1970s spirit in his other work.

[Sistermagpie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book on George Lucas, about whom I knew the usual. The biggest surprise to me was realizing just how many well-known movies, especially in the 70s, he was involved in. I knew that he started out as a hotshot student at USC, but the book really puts across just how amazing a hotshot he was. Not just as a filmmaker but as a businessman--perhaps mostly as a businessman and general workman.

There's probably a whole other book to be written--or perhaps interesting movie to be made--about his relationship with Francis Ford Coppola who can't help but stand as the complete opposite of Lucas.

My edition was updated in 1999, which did lead to at least one down note as his first wife goes from seeming like a partner whose skill and mind he admires and trusts to someone complaining that her husband always saw her as a dumb valley girl who wasn't that bright.

[Lynne Stringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-term Star Wars fan, I enjoyed reading about the beginning of George Lucas' career and his rise to fame. He certainly is a fascinating subject. The only problem I had was that this book was written a while ago (at least, the version I read) and didn't cover his more recent life. It definitely wasn't this updated version. I wonder how far into the future this version goes?

[Kevin Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read, especially considering it came out right before Return of the Jedi, so much of Lucas's story was yet to be written.

[Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly intimate look into the mind and life of the man behind the most popular movie franchise of all time. This book pulls no punches, showing all of Lucas’s faults: his fights with Francis Ford Coppola, his dislike for dealing with people, his workaholism (the author himself notes that after its publication, George was “very unhappy” with the books portrayal of him). But ultimately the book is flattering, detailing the thoughts and ideas that make George Lucas one of the greatest storytellers of our time. His sense of responsibility for the minds of the kids who watch Star Wars, his strong moral compass (albeit secular), his understanding of mythology, sociology, and the power stories have on people/culture, and at the same time his understanding that movies don’t have to be so serious… that people go to the theater to be entertained not lectured to, all contribute to make George Lucas my favorite filmmaking mind alive.
Pollock was granted unbelievable access while writing this book. He gives incredibly interesting details and tidbits about the making of the Star Wars movies, yet the details never bog you down. It keeps moving from interesting story to interesting story.
This book is NOT a book about the making of Star Wars. It is, but it’s more than that. It’s really a look into the mind of George Lucas, focusing on the genius, quiet, unassuming man behind the powerhouse franchise. It’s crazy when you actually consider that Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Yoda, the Millennium Falcon, the Jedi, the Sith, the Clone army from Kamino…. and so much more… all came from the mind and imagination of one man.

[Joe B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for any fan of George Lucas and Star Wars. Even if you are not, then you will be educated on the what goes on behind the curtain in Hollywood. This book provides the reader keen insight to the story of George Lucas and a film student from USC becomes a film maker for all time. His ability to overcome all the obstacles in movie making is astounding. Call it luck or just fate, George made things happen. He put everything on the line to do things his way. His creative mind was the key to his success and how he could get every scene the way he wanted on the celluloid. Whether those at the studios opined what he wanted to do was going to make money didn’t matter to George. He just wanted to make his movie from his own mind’s eye and let the chips fall where they may. And they fell and never stopped falling. Preemptively making THX was a slap to his face when he lost all editing ability, then Graffiti with the same situation, but not with Star Wars. His wife had the gift and edit she did. The “science movie” as it was called by the Fox board was in the cusp of never being released. He was $4 million over budget, but Fox VP Alan Ladd, Jr. saw to it that Star Wars would make it because it was “The best movie ever made”. He took a $13 million investment from Fox and initially made $150 million and then made billions off of all the following films including all the sequels, prequels to not only Star Wars and Raiders, but also with ILM and the eventual sale to Disney that scrawny little nerdy wimpy kid from Modesto did it. Because you can never say cannot, but rather “No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

[Solomon Alexander]

"Skywalking: The Life And Films of George Lucas (Paperback)" is an excellent biography of the celebrated filmmaker George Lucas. Written by Dale Pollock, the book provides a detailed account of Lucas's life and work. The author has conducted extensive research, including interviews with Lucas's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as archival research, to create an engaging and informative portrait of the filmmaker.One of the things I particularly appreciated about the book is the author's insightful analysis of Lucas's films. Pollock delves into the creative process behind each film, exploring the themes and ideas that run throughout Lucas's body of work. This makes the book an excellent resource for fans of Lucas's films who want to gain a deeper understanding of his creative process.
Another thing I enjoyed about the book is the author's writing style. Pollock's prose is clear and concise, making the book accessible to both casual readers and film enthusiasts alike. He manages to balance a detailed account of Lucas's life and work with an engaging and readable narrative, making Skywalking: The Life And Films of George Lucas an enjoyable read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and it was a great book if you and anyone you know is interested in the life of George Lucas. I read this book because I was very interested in George Lucas’s life and I am a huge Star Wars fan. “Making movies is like the construction business. You are fighting all possible odds and everyone is seemingly against you” (Pollock 154). This quote was very interesting to me because it showed how hard making a movie is and it relates to the struggle George went through at the beginning with people not believing in him. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Star Wars or any of George Lucas’s work. It was a great biography and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Matthew Taggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun read. I loved the chapters dealing with the making of American Graffiti. Star Wars stuff was cool too, but most the world knows it now. It is interesting to see how many things were in George Lucas’s mind at the very beginning, and how much changed.

[Deedee]

Dewey 791.092
CLAY-HQ

[Daniel Grunfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite movie books. Honest, imaginative, resourceful, groundbreaking with more than a little, genuine but respectful controversy.

[Charlie Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest books about filmmaking are written by filmmakers.

[J. Gaudet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at the beginnings of the phenomena.

[Dan Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this when I was a kid and fascinated by all things pertaining to "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones. There is a new bio of George Lucas out, but it apparently draws heavily from this earlier one, which is still more or less definitive. A great behind-the-scenes story and an interesting portrait of Lucas as an artist and producer.

[A Cesspool]

everything you could want to know about the Original Trilogy (up through late-1990s; when the author last updated this text).
Post-90s Lucasfilm can be continued with J.W. Rinzler's essential The Making-of books, or the expansive Secret History of Star Wars.

Lucas' acrimoniou'ish divorce is only briefly summarized (via aforementioned 1999 afterword). Most remarkable, Gary Kurtz's supposed botched producing [née: budgets] on Empire Strike Back (alleged by Episode VI-producer/Lucas stooge & hatchetman, Howard Kazanjian ...but not until [weeks] after Kurtz's 2018-passing) is totally missing here. Considering Pollock's No-stone-unturned reporting (here, and with the Los Angeles Times), I srsly wonder his take on Kazanjian's Empire/Kurtz accusations? Or, if 1983-Lucas intervened and requested Pollock not record Kurtz's colossal mismanagement with Lucasfilm's funds (during Episode V's location production) -- out of appropriate certainty it might only torpedo Kurtz's newly launched independent producing outfit (post-Lucasfilm)?

[Simon Papousek]

En absolut læseværdig biografi hvad enten man er til Star Wars, Hollywoods Golden Age eller blot ønsker at læse biografier. Den kommer rundt i hele George Lucas' liv, hvor fortællingen dog er forankret i hans filmarbejde - ikke al mulig sladder om hvad han synes om hvem og hvad. Den holder sig således til filmuniverset og særligt afsnittene om tilblivelsen af Start Wars fylder naturligvis mest og er det mest interessante. Særlig reaktionerne og tiden umiddelbart efter premieren på "A New Hope" er ret sjovt. Her forsøgte Lucas egenhændigt at fjerne samtlige kopier - SAMTLIGE - af en julefilm til tv. Den var simpelthen så ringe og så langt fra Lucas univers. Filmen ligger tilgængelig på youtube...! Eneste hage ved bogen er, at den er skrevet i 1983 og altså på samme tid som "Return of the Jedi" fik premiere - derfor behandles denne film ikke nær så indgående som de to forrige, hvilket er ærgerligt. Men der er vist en senere udgave af bogen på markedet som behandler tiden efter "Return".
Læs den - jeg nød hver en side.

[Jesse Graves]

Skywalking was a good book about the creator of Star Wars. The book started when he was around 30 years old and ended when he was about 65. It went through everything when he was a kid and how he grew up. It was explaining how George Lucas was thinking and how he explained things on paper. It goes through his adult hood when he married Marcia and then he got a divorce and then he wrote how that changed his life and how it changed his story's. He talks about his obsession with movies and how they are boring without special effects because special effects means a story that is not boring, that is one of his famous quotes too. The book starts and ends when George explains how he got into a wreck in high school and it almost killed him and severely injured him. He thought that it changed his course in his career and then he became the most famous filmmaker of all time.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great revelations of this book (at least until the new Star Wars movies made it common knowledge) is that George Lucas is a terrible screenwriter. This book even contains a couple of abysmal excerpts that thankfully didn't make it to the final cut of The Empire Strikes Back.

On the flip side, the book reveals a very human soul, a good and often generous spirit, and an ambitious auteur. I enjoyed accounts of the early days when Lucas, along with Coppola and Spielberg, were upstarts. The book also shares insights into Lucas's family life. He proves to be an interesting figure, gifted in many areas of filmmaking, and the beneficiary of talented company.

This was an enjoyable look across much of Lucas's career.

[Maclaine]

An excellent, contemporaneous look into the life and mind of George Lucas just on the brink of mega-success. When the book was written, Return of the Jedi was in the middle of shooting. It examines the pressure Lucas was under to wrap up his huge story and deliver another blockbuster. It goes into great detail about his early life, his initial struggles as a film maker and how that affected his later work, and ultimately his emergence as one of the top Hollywood film makers of all time. There's also quite a bit of information regarding the business and financial dealings of his films. Overall, a very interesting snapshot of a talented, driven, and stubborn man at a time in his life when he still felt unproven.

[Kass Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read. I don't normally read bios, but I do the the movies of this person and so wanted to know more about where he got his storytelling quality. It was quite interesting to read of this new breed of Hollywood creativity.

[Natalya · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know, if you think about it, George Lucas isn't really that interesting a person.

[Nikel27 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deutsche Ausgabe von 1983

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a hardback edition of this book that was published some time in the 80s.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago, so it would be interesting to read the new edition, which includes more recent information.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

A well-written book besmirched by false information. George has denounced this unauthorized biography for containing too many untruths.

[Luke Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I had to read it a couple years ago. I found out a lot of information, but it needs to be updated. It was also a little dry at points.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The description of this, however, is wrong, it has not been updated, with prequel information--it is the original Ballatine Books paperback.

[Serdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of Lucas and his career, although it ends right after "Jedi". An updated version may never come as Lucas cut ties with the author later on.