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Entirely Up To You, Darling
The long awaited autobiography by one of the world’s best-loved actors and directors.
The story begins in 1983 with a famously weeping Attenborough accepting two Oscars when his film Gandhi broke all previous records to win a total of eight Academy awards. Hawkins, 67, is Attenborough’s publicist, confidante, co-producer and long-term business partner.
Attenborough will reflect on the highs and lows of a long life both in and out of the public gaze. Few know, for instance, that he once risked prison on a matter of conscience or that, as an air-gunner cameraman, he took part in bombing raids over Germany during the war. More poignantly, Attenborough will finally break his silence about his long-running friendship with Princess Diana, and the tsunami tragedy that robbed him of his eldest daughter and granddaughter in December 2004.
At 82, Richard Attenborough is the celebrity peer, happily married since 1945, reflecting on a lifetime of ceaseless activity as a film-star, director, producer, company chairman and charitable campaigner.
The story begins in 1983 with a famously weeping Attenborough accepting two Oscars when his film Gandhi broke all previous records to win a total of eight Academy awards. Hawkins, 67, is Attenborough’s publicist, confidante, co-producer and long-term business partner.
Attenborough will reflect on the highs and lows of a long life both in and out of the public gaze. Few know, for instance, that he once risked prison on a matter of conscience or that, as an air-gunner cameraman, he took part in bombing raids over Germany during the war. More poignantly, Attenborough will finally break his silence about his long-running friendship with Princess Diana, and the tsunami tragedy that robbed him of his eldest daughter and granddaughter in December 2004.
At 82, Richard Attenborough is the celebrity peer, happily married since 1945, reflecting on a lifetime of ceaseless activity as a film-star, director, producer, company chairman and charitable campaigner.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2008
7 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Richard Attenborough
28 books6 followersRichard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough /ˈætənbərə/, CBE (29 August 1923 – 24 August 2014) was an English actor, film director, producer and entrepreneur. He was the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
As a film director and producer, he won two Academy Awards for Gandhi in 1983. He has also won four BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. As an actor he is perhaps best known for his roles in Brighton Rock, The Great Escape, 10 Rillington Place, Miracle on 34th Street and Jurassic Park.
He was the older brother of Sir David Attenborough, the naturalist and broadcaster, and John Attenborough, who was an executive at Alfa Romeo.
As a film director and producer, he won two Academy Awards for Gandhi in 1983. He has also won four BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. As an actor he is perhaps best known for his roles in Brighton Rock, The Great Escape, 10 Rillington Place, Miracle on 34th Street and Jurassic Park.
He was the older brother of Sir David Attenborough, the naturalist and broadcaster, and John Attenborough, who was an executive at Alfa Romeo.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 8, 2021
Very few lives are as crammed with so many accomplishments as that of Richard Attenborough: actor (Brighton Rock, I'm All Right, Jack, The Great Escape, Seance On a Wet Afternoon, The Sand Pebbles, 10 Rillington Place, Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park) producer, director (A Bridge Too Far, Magic, Gandhi, Cry Freedom, Chaplin), of dozens of renowned films, he was also a chairman/on the Board Of Directors/Trustee of many institutions: The Actor's Chairitable Trust (TACT), The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, George V Fund For Actors, The Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, Royal Society Of The Arts, Chelsea Football Club, National Film School, University Of Sussex, BAFTA, Capital Radio, The Little Theatre, Leicester, The Tate Gallery, Channel Four Television, The British Film Institute, UNICEF, and many others. And apart from various awards, including BAFTA Best Actor Award, Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor Award, two Oscars for Best Film and Best Director for Gandhi, was also awarded a CBE, a Knighthood, The Ordre des Arts des Lettres, the Legion d'Honneur and a Life Peerage. On top of all that, he was cameraman on bombing runs over Germany in War War II and the father and grandfather of a large family. A truly interesting and eventful life. - BH.
November 22, 2018
Interesting, but all over the place like a frog on a hot rock. I prefer memoirs to be chronological, not dashing all over leaving me confused if I don't pick the book up for a day or so.
January 27, 2014
I've had a wonderful week immersed in this excellent book, which I found almost impossible to put down until I'd finished it!
Richard, in tandem with his long-time collaborator Diana Hawkins, takes us on a breezy & illuminating journey through his lengthy & illustrious career as actor, director, producer & motivator.
I loved how the style jumped around between certain eras around the central timeline; the memory of one thing sparking another, & how his unflagging years of persistence in taking Ghandi to the big screen finally came to fruition - relaunching his career into the next era.
The book is filled with many personal insights & highlights, as well as the expected memoirs on his life & the film industry as a whole (& gives a sobering account of the challenges of simply getting a film off the ground from scratch & finding a backer in the cynical world of Hollywood).
He meets many inspiring & powerful people along the way, & never gives up when all hope sometimes appears to be lost in the pursuit of his dreams.
I've read a good many autobiographies, but this is definitely one of the most enjoyable I've come across.
The writing styles of the two authors compliment each other perfectly, & you can see why Richard & Diana's personal & professional relationship endured for so many happy & successful decades.
There's personal tragedy too at the loss of his beloved daughter & granddaughter in the Thailand tsunami of 2004, & his surprising personal friendship with Princess Diana is also revealed too.
The accompanying photos throughout the book are excellent as well.
I feel so privileged that Richard has documented his life in this way, & allowed me a fascinating window into his life, work & personal world. These are the times!
Richard, in tandem with his long-time collaborator Diana Hawkins, takes us on a breezy & illuminating journey through his lengthy & illustrious career as actor, director, producer & motivator.
I loved how the style jumped around between certain eras around the central timeline; the memory of one thing sparking another, & how his unflagging years of persistence in taking Ghandi to the big screen finally came to fruition - relaunching his career into the next era.
The book is filled with many personal insights & highlights, as well as the expected memoirs on his life & the film industry as a whole (& gives a sobering account of the challenges of simply getting a film off the ground from scratch & finding a backer in the cynical world of Hollywood).
He meets many inspiring & powerful people along the way, & never gives up when all hope sometimes appears to be lost in the pursuit of his dreams.
I've read a good many autobiographies, but this is definitely one of the most enjoyable I've come across.
The writing styles of the two authors compliment each other perfectly, & you can see why Richard & Diana's personal & professional relationship endured for so many happy & successful decades.
There's personal tragedy too at the loss of his beloved daughter & granddaughter in the Thailand tsunami of 2004, & his surprising personal friendship with Princess Diana is also revealed too.
The accompanying photos throughout the book are excellent as well.
I feel so privileged that Richard has documented his life in this way, & allowed me a fascinating window into his life, work & personal world. These are the times!
January 14, 2019
I read this book primarily because of the brief period I worked at Goldcrest Films whilst "Gandhi" was being filmed. The first part of the book was therefore a wonderful read for me, as I got to read much more about what went on.
Splitting the book between two voices - that of Lord Attenborough and Diana Hawkins - did add to the story (that of Gandhi) as Attenborough admits that he has a habit of putting things in to boxes in order to maintain positivity. Diana Hawkins had no such habit, so she provided much of the missing detail.
The first half was a very interesting read for me, the second - less so.
Splitting the book between two voices - that of Lord Attenborough and Diana Hawkins - did add to the story (that of Gandhi) as Attenborough admits that he has a habit of putting things in to boxes in order to maintain positivity. Diana Hawkins had no such habit, so she provided much of the missing detail.
The first half was a very interesting read for me, the second - less so.
October 20, 2019
Good book
I enjoyed reading this book on Richard Attenborough as I think he was a great Actor and Film Director. However as the chapters are quite long I got lost confused as to who was talking as it was either Richard Attenborough or two other people who's names escape me. There is a fair bit of humour in the book.
I enjoyed reading this book on Richard Attenborough as I think he was a great Actor and Film Director. However as the chapters are quite long I got lost confused as to who was talking as it was either Richard Attenborough or two other people who's names escape me. There is a fair bit of humour in the book.
February 11, 2023
This is a tale from behind the scenes of some popular movies. I enjoyed reading the background of the author and the peek into the life of his, as popular, older brother David who has been for many years a presenter for the BBC's numerous wildlife series
January 15, 2014
This is my second attempt at reading this book. I will point out that while I enjoyed Diana Hawkins and her sections, this review is based on Attenborough and his writings. The first time I skimmed through half of it and left it there for about a year. I can honestly say I am thrilled this happened because I really enjoyed this book the second time round. I don't think I would have appreciated the first time. It covers a huge amount of his life in film but I was disappointed that they completely washed over his time filming A miracle on 34th street, a firm Christmas favourite and the role that brought him to my attention in the first place. I enjoyed the back and forth between Attenborough and Diana Hawkins although it was a bit confusing at time going from the 1950's to 2000 and then going back again. I wish it had gone chronologically but that's only a minor flaw in my opinion.
What surprised me the most was amount I learned from Attenborough's travel tales. He mentions a number of well-known figures and I was shocked to learn of some of their flaws which for one person in particular have been glossed over for the most part. You get a glimpse into the early roles of other actors including Robert Downey jr which was thoroughly enjoyable.The Political side was the aspect which least appealed to me. There was also a lot of back and forth and lengthy discussions with company heads which was slightly monotonous but it didn't let the book down an awful lot.
The sections on Princess Diana and on losing one of his daughters were quite moving and you could feel his pain. I loved the pictures included throughout the story. They helped to break it up and I enjoyed seeing Attenborough in his various roles. The last picture included was the perfect choice.
Overall it is one of my favourite autobiographies to date.
What surprised me the most was amount I learned from Attenborough's travel tales. He mentions a number of well-known figures and I was shocked to learn of some of their flaws which for one person in particular have been glossed over for the most part. You get a glimpse into the early roles of other actors including Robert Downey jr which was thoroughly enjoyable.The Political side was the aspect which least appealed to me. There was also a lot of back and forth and lengthy discussions with company heads which was slightly monotonous but it didn't let the book down an awful lot.
The sections on Princess Diana and on losing one of his daughters were quite moving and you could feel his pain. I loved the pictures included throughout the story. They helped to break it up and I enjoyed seeing Attenborough in his various roles. The last picture included was the perfect choice.
Overall it is one of my favourite autobiographies to date.
July 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was written in a very engaging style. I never realised so much effort went into getting movies made. The background to getting both Gandhi and Cry Freedom made is very interesting. Dick comes across as a likeable, straight talking, passionate workaholic. The shame is he never got to do the Thomas Paine biopic. It makes me want to revisit his whole directorial output.
January 27, 2016
A fabulously empowering book to read. The sort that lives with you forever. Age and disability mean nothing to this man who has the same lust for life, vim and vigor that is normally associated with men half his age.
A must have book.
A must have book.
January 19, 2016
A great read!! Lovely book. Highly recommended.
November 9, 2009
That this wonderful actor never noticed a thing outside his own head - the most useless theatrical memoir ever written.
July 21, 2014
I found it really difficult to get into this book and so i gave up. Not really my type although in sure other people would enjoy it very much.
October 8, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed it from the very first page!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews