Sir Michael Caine: The Biography

by William Hall

With more than 80 films to his name, including Alfie, A Bridge Too Far, Educating Rita, and The Cider House Rules, a prestigious knighthood, two Oscars, and countless other awards, Michael Caine is one of the most esteemed actors of his day. Having maintained the balance of critical respect and unswerving popularity, he has established himself as a performer of the highest rank. In this in-depth biography, William Hall, who has known Caine since his earliest days in acting, sketches a picture of a man who has achieved his amazing success through a mixture of innate talent, cool charm, barbed wit, and shrewd intelligence. He also reveals a man who has known his share of difficult times, including the poverty of his earliest years and the pain of discovering his long-lost brother in a psychiatric hospital. Written with Michael Caine’s full cooperation, this is a compelling and affectionate portrait.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

William Hall was biographer, broadcaster and critic. He is the author of more than a dozen biographies, including Michael Caine, James Dean, Frankie Howerd, Larry Adler and Dick Emery.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it immensely. It makes me want to watch more Michael Caine movies besides just Alfie! I think I would like Mr . Caine as a friend! Very down to earth and entertaining.

[ElaineY · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; MAY 17, 2017
Narrator: Andrew Wincott

Thoroughly enjoyed following Sir Maurice Micklewhite along his journey through an impoverished childhood, the hard road to success and yet able to preserve his humanity and have a happy home life. It is always fun (for me, anyway, though some people, oddly enough, consider it name-dropping) to hear about these struggling actors struggling together back when they were desperate and penniless, practically. In Caine's case, his fellow struggling actors were Terence Stamp, Roger Moore, Peter Sellers et al. The first two would congregate at their favorite bar with Caine, other out-of-work actors and hopefuls, all waiting for That Role to be offered to them.

I enjoy biographies and usually read/listen to both the biography and the autobiography. I find I like seeing their lives through their own eyes as well as through someone else's, in many cases the latter being more informative. I will borrow Caine's autobiography, What's It All About next.

Andrew Wincott did an exceptional job narrating the book, employing his own voice for the narrative and imitating Caine's when the actor was speaking. Wincott did the other actors' voices, too, though they weren't as good as his Caine impersonation (but his Roger Moore did sound a little like him).

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have always quite liked Mr Caine in the movies that I have seen. Unfortunately, the introduction by the author, Mr Hall, came across as so sycophantic that I was immediately suspicious of anything that followed. I probably would have preferred Mr Caine's own efforts to document his life even if it meant involving a ghost writer. Still looking for a rival to Mr David Niven. As I didn't manage to summon up the interest to finish the book, I am unable to recommend at this time. 'When the unit moved back to civilisation that bar would be dismantled and disappear as quickly as it had been built"

[miaaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing actor, that's why when I spot the book I said to myself I have to have it. So who's Michael Caine? In his own words:
"I had no middle-age crisis, no hang-ups. I'm stable because I have never have to lie. I've worked hard for my success, so I have no guilt about it. Funny thing, but when I was poor people used to say to me, 'If you ever become rich, boy, money won't make you happy.' But now I am full of money, and perfectly happy. I have all I ever wanted - to become a millionaire, to be a big film star, to become the best actor I could possibly be. I sleep like a baby, I don't think I dream at all. And I beat the system, didn't I?"

[NuttyRachy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't think I can finish this book. So far it's all just about name dropping and rounding off the film titles, half of which I've watched, and talking about people who I've never heard of. Started getting a bit more interesting when it started talking about his childhood, concentrating on his mother... but honestly I found that I switched off and stopped taking it all in. Maybe just not written right for me as I would very much like to know more about Michael Caine, but for now... I can wait.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book rather dull at times and slightly repetitive. Caine doesn't come across as the most female friendly person, but I realise that the man is a product of his times and upbringing.
There is no doubt that the man has had a interesting life and career, but I don't feel this book conveys it quite well enough.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a digital library loan and I really didn't like the narrator so gave up.

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fawning. Boring

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Think the fella who did the Marilyn Monroe one could have possibly done a better job.

It read alright.. But got a tad dull after a while.. sir Michael caine is so interesting... But i felt this didn't do him justice...

2019 reading challenge - A favourite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - 2015 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge - A non-fiction book

[Lorna Arancibia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting life story

[Derek Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid trudge through Caines life and career, which reminded me of some of his films I’ve yet to rewatch (the Harry Palmer trilogy principally) and quite a few I’ve wisely steered clear of.

For me his best film is Get Carter, while the best film in which he appears is Children Of Men.

Rather a lot of emphasis on money and how much Caine deserved his wealth and success. I don’t dispute that but it doesn’t especially add to the narrative to keep on saying this (even if it’s Surmichael being directly quoted a lot of the time, which it is!)

[Hon. Peter J. Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Depiction Of My Favorite Actor, Michael Caine

A Good biography of my favorite actor, Michael Caine with insight into his rise to fame in the British class system of the 60's.