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Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History
Welcome to Jurassic Park! Discover the cinematic evolution of the Jurassic Park trilogy, with this deluxe book celebrating the saga’s massive impact on pop culture.
Director Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park unleashed an island of awe-inspiring dinosaurs, captivating audiences worldwide. Grossing over $900 million worldwide, the film ushered in a whole new age of digital visual effects and would go on to enthrall generations of moviegoers.
The most comprehensive book about the Jurassic Park trilogy to date, Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History begins with an in-depth account of the making of Spielberg’s original film, including rare and never-before-seen imagery and exclusive interviews with key creatives. Readers will then unearth the full history of the trilogy, from The Lost World: Jurassic Park to Jurassic Park III, through unprecedented access to the creative process behind the films. Fans will also find a fascinating look at the wider world of the saga, including video games, toys, comics, and more, exploring the lasting legacy of the movies and their influence on pop culture.
Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History will be the last word on the most epic saga in movie history—the definitive behind-the-scenes book that fans have been waiting for.
Director Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park unleashed an island of awe-inspiring dinosaurs, captivating audiences worldwide. Grossing over $900 million worldwide, the film ushered in a whole new age of digital visual effects and would go on to enthrall generations of moviegoers.
The most comprehensive book about the Jurassic Park trilogy to date, Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History begins with an in-depth account of the making of Spielberg’s original film, including rare and never-before-seen imagery and exclusive interviews with key creatives. Readers will then unearth the full history of the trilogy, from The Lost World: Jurassic Park to Jurassic Park III, through unprecedented access to the creative process behind the films. Fans will also find a fascinating look at the wider world of the saga, including video games, toys, comics, and more, exploring the lasting legacy of the movies and their influence on pop culture.
Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History will be the last word on the most epic saga in movie history—the definitive behind-the-scenes book that fans have been waiting for.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 2021
32 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 27, 2022
Lots of info, pictures and goodies. Too bad the collectibles are attached to the pages by sticky gum, which leaves stains in the paper. Some chapters about the games and further legacy of JP could have been more elaborate. But a must-have for any JP fan like myself!
February 22, 2022
Page 525 and 523 are literally my brain 24/7 like any moment assume I am thinking about that
September 19, 2023
What a fantastic book the Jurassic Park visual history is. It’s beautiful, almost interactive in its design with inserts and pictures galore and full of interesting facts and behind the scenes nuggets.
I’m fond of all three movies and the balance is just right, focusing mostly on the main first instalment with slightly less page space allocated to each of the sequels (but no less fascinating!). The fourth and final chapter on memorabilia, comics, games and toys is also immense.
Recommended?: I read this to coincide with my cinematic rewatch for the 30th anniversary and it certainly didn’t disappoint. A must read for all JP fans.
I’m fond of all three movies and the balance is just right, focusing mostly on the main first instalment with slightly less page space allocated to each of the sequels (but no less fascinating!). The fourth and final chapter on memorabilia, comics, games and toys is also immense.
Recommended?: I read this to coincide with my cinematic rewatch for the 30th anniversary and it certainly didn’t disappoint. A must read for all JP fans.
January 9, 2022
A masterpiece! This book is what every « movie book » ought to be. With a crazy abundance of details, anecdotes, insights, quotes, memories, pictures and paper memorabilia, it was a real page turner. This book encompasses the whole Jurassic Park adventure in 250 pages, with a very cool design and the participation of Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum themselves.
I wish most books about the art and making of cult movies were this good, as it’s probably on of the best - if not THE best - book I’ve read in this category. If you are or know a Jurassic Park fan, this is definitely a must read 🦖
I wish most books about the art and making of cult movies were this good, as it’s probably on of the best - if not THE best - book I’ve read in this category. If you are or know a Jurassic Park fan, this is definitely a must read 🦖
February 18, 2022
This book is mostly about the making of the first three Jurassic Park movies, with the emphasis on the first film. It is loaded with pictures, drawings and details about how the films were created, and includes shorter sections on merchandising, theme park rides, comic books, and more. There is also a lot of inserts in the form of drawings, tickets, storyboards and so on. Although interesting, I found these inserts rather annoying in that they covered up the illustrations and text in the book and were also stuck in with blobs of clear glue which left a stain on the pages they were attached to. Otherwise, a great book which gives a lot of insight into the making of the Jurassic Park movies.
September 25, 2024
Excellente lecture!
Je me doutais que j'allais aimer feuilleter les pages de ce guide car il est truffé d'illustrations et de storyboards. Je ne m'attendais pas à un contenu aussi dense avec tant d'informations sur les coulisses des films! C'était super intéressant à découvrir, que ce soit la vision de Spielberg, le ressenti des acteurs ou encore l'aspect très technique de ces films.
Vraiment un super livre à avoir quand on est fan de Jurassic Park. Mille mercis à mon frère pour ce cadeau 🩷
Je me doutais que j'allais aimer feuilleter les pages de ce guide car il est truffé d'illustrations et de storyboards. Je ne m'attendais pas à un contenu aussi dense avec tant d'informations sur les coulisses des films! C'était super intéressant à découvrir, que ce soit la vision de Spielberg, le ressenti des acteurs ou encore l'aspect très technique de ces films.
Vraiment un super livre à avoir quand on est fan de Jurassic Park. Mille mercis à mon frère pour ce cadeau 🩷
February 28, 2025
4.5/5 more interviews with the cast members would be welcomed and the add in collectible things from the back to the future book are better than what’s in here. I’m nitpicking. Wonderful book to commemorate a monumental moment and achievement in movie history.
November 4, 2024
Feels like it was written for me
January 8, 2022
Mr. Mottram, after careful consideration I've decided *to* endorse your book.
April 6, 2022
I’m a huge fan of Spielberg, Jurassic Park & “Making of” material so I was excited to get my hands on this “not quite coffee table” book … & whilst I enjoyed it, it left me a little disappointed.
That’s not to say it’s not a well researched book or in any way not attractive. The content is spot-on & refreshingly honest. So many books of a similar format portray the subject matter as perfect & James Mottram doesn’t shy away from not just the problems that the sequels encountered, but the fact the movies subsequently suffered in terms of entertainment, especially JP 3 … although I’m not sure any book could reflect quite how bad Crichton’s Lost World novel turned out & how even Spielberg would struggle to recreate movie magic like he did with the original.
There are two major gripes with the book, the primary one being the horrible “amazing special items” & the manner of how they’re attached to the otherwise lovely pages. Why publish an otherwise attractive book, squarely aimed at collectors, and effectively ruin it with splodges of silicone.
Yuk.
Additionally, but somewhat understandable, is the fact that all 3 movies pretty much get equal billing however there’s but one paragraph referring to the new trilogy, which have had next to no coverage when it comes to printed “making of” material. I know it’s a JP & not JW book but there just feels a little imbalance.
Whilst the content is great, anyone that owns the original Jody Duncan books covering the first two movies, won’t learn, or see, anything new but if you are a fan, & want a nicely wrapped up summary of all things original trilogy, you’ll do far worse than pick this up.
That’s not to say it’s not a well researched book or in any way not attractive. The content is spot-on & refreshingly honest. So many books of a similar format portray the subject matter as perfect & James Mottram doesn’t shy away from not just the problems that the sequels encountered, but the fact the movies subsequently suffered in terms of entertainment, especially JP 3 … although I’m not sure any book could reflect quite how bad Crichton’s Lost World novel turned out & how even Spielberg would struggle to recreate movie magic like he did with the original.
There are two major gripes with the book, the primary one being the horrible “amazing special items” & the manner of how they’re attached to the otherwise lovely pages. Why publish an otherwise attractive book, squarely aimed at collectors, and effectively ruin it with splodges of silicone.
Yuk.
Additionally, but somewhat understandable, is the fact that all 3 movies pretty much get equal billing however there’s but one paragraph referring to the new trilogy, which have had next to no coverage when it comes to printed “making of” material. I know it’s a JP & not JW book but there just feels a little imbalance.
Whilst the content is great, anyone that owns the original Jody Duncan books covering the first two movies, won’t learn, or see, anything new but if you are a fan, & want a nicely wrapped up summary of all things original trilogy, you’ll do far worse than pick this up.
October 8, 2023
Siendo Jurassic Park mi película favorita, amé este libro desde la primera página. Una biblia para cualquier fanático de esta saga, pero también del cine en general.
Ya enamora desde la presentación: un librazo enorme, tapa dura y con fotografías a todo color.
Un viaje que va desde principios de los años 90 hasta la llegada del siglo XXI y que abarca la producción y realización de cada una de las películas de la trilogía original.
La crónica es muy pormenorizada, desde la preparación para cada escena, los sets, las revisiones del guion, y haciendo gran hincapié en los efectos especiales totalmente innovadores que cambiaron la industria para siempre.
Cuenta con comentarios y entrevistas desde el propio Spielberg, pasando por casi todo el elenco de las 3 películas, hasta los realizadores técnicos menos conocidos por el público general.
Como si faltara algo, un detalle no menor: la inclusión de diferentes elementos de memorabilia (storyboards, sketches, arte conceptual, diseños descartados, etc.) que enriquecen aún más cada página.
Para cualquiera que le interese conocer el detrás de cámara y la cocina de una mega producción de Hollywood, como así también volver a reencontrarse con una trama que ya forma parte del inconsciente colectivo de toda una generación, es un libro para atesorar en la biblioteca de cualquier cinéfilo.
Ya enamora desde la presentación: un librazo enorme, tapa dura y con fotografías a todo color.
Un viaje que va desde principios de los años 90 hasta la llegada del siglo XXI y que abarca la producción y realización de cada una de las películas de la trilogía original.
La crónica es muy pormenorizada, desde la preparación para cada escena, los sets, las revisiones del guion, y haciendo gran hincapié en los efectos especiales totalmente innovadores que cambiaron la industria para siempre.
Cuenta con comentarios y entrevistas desde el propio Spielberg, pasando por casi todo el elenco de las 3 películas, hasta los realizadores técnicos menos conocidos por el público general.
Como si faltara algo, un detalle no menor: la inclusión de diferentes elementos de memorabilia (storyboards, sketches, arte conceptual, diseños descartados, etc.) que enriquecen aún más cada página.
Para cualquiera que le interese conocer el detrás de cámara y la cocina de una mega producción de Hollywood, como así también volver a reencontrarse con una trama que ya forma parte del inconsciente colectivo de toda una generación, es un libro para atesorar en la biblioteca de cualquier cinéfilo.
August 9, 2023
Jurassic Park had a massive effect on me. I was 12 when it came out, we queued round the block on premiere night in my home town and didn't get in. So we went back the next day and caught an afternoon show and annoyingly sat behind a kid who explained to his mum what was about to happen throughout the entire movie (presumably his second viewing). Still, it sunk it deeply and was instrumental in my love of movies and I've watched it more times than I can recall. I very much enjoy the second film and equivocate about the third (I do like the aviary sequence).
This big old hardcover does a generally excellent job of recounting the first film while touching on the next 2 sequels (to a slightly less comprehensive extent as you go through). Packed with behind the scenes details, not afraid to show the bad bits and chock full of imagery, some of which I've never seen. I know a fair bit about the first film and I was still discovering new facts.
My main gripe, like many on here, is the extras attached in with blobs of glue leaving marks on the pages. I could have done without that.
Still, an excellent book and great for fans of the original films.
This big old hardcover does a generally excellent job of recounting the first film while touching on the next 2 sequels (to a slightly less comprehensive extent as you go through). Packed with behind the scenes details, not afraid to show the bad bits and chock full of imagery, some of which I've never seen. I know a fair bit about the first film and I was still discovering new facts.
My main gripe, like many on here, is the extras attached in with blobs of glue leaving marks on the pages. I could have done without that.
Still, an excellent book and great for fans of the original films.
January 12, 2025
An outstanding compendium of anecdotes bristling with quotes from recent interviews with the key players, cast and crew. The first half of the book is dedicated to the first film, and it contains all the detail a die-hard fan could ask for: casting decisions, shooting schedules, location work, all interleaved with the much-storied development of new effects techniques. The second two films receive less lavish but still detailed attention; you really have to feel for Johnston et al. on JPIII; what a nightmare.
My favourite aspect of this book is how you get a sense of people's personalities by reading their interviews. DP Dean Cundey and stop-motion puppeteer Phil Tippett are not at all intimidated by Spielberg's legacy and often dish on hidden details. Laura Dern is thoughtful and articulate and has interesting things to say, at length; Jeff Goldblum totally phones it in.
There are removable printouts in occasional pages, which is kind of fun, but I'm still figuring out what to do with them.
Overall an outstanding guide, up-to-date and definitive, and a perfect gift for the JP fan in your life.
My favourite aspect of this book is how you get a sense of people's personalities by reading their interviews. DP Dean Cundey and stop-motion puppeteer Phil Tippett are not at all intimidated by Spielberg's legacy and often dish on hidden details. Laura Dern is thoughtful and articulate and has interesting things to say, at length; Jeff Goldblum totally phones it in.
There are removable printouts in occasional pages, which is kind of fun, but I'm still figuring out what to do with them.
Overall an outstanding guide, up-to-date and definitive, and a perfect gift for the JP fan in your life.
June 6, 2022
A pretty fantastic overview of the first three films in the franchise, with more than a few design elements (including a fold-out brochure and full park badge replica) that zapped my (terrible) lizard brain back to being 5 years old and begging my parents to see this in theaters.
And the content included here is actually pretty forthcoming with regards to what went right and wrong on each shoot, to varying degrees. For example, I don't think I ever realized how dangerous the hurricane that hit during the shoot of the first film actually was. Laura Dern recollects standing on the beach with Neill and Goldblum, and watching the sky grow blacker and blacker, until suddenly they were 3 feet deep in the storm surge and had to bolt for cover. That's horrifying!
And the content included here is actually pretty forthcoming with regards to what went right and wrong on each shoot, to varying degrees. For example, I don't think I ever realized how dangerous the hurricane that hit during the shoot of the first film actually was. Laura Dern recollects standing on the beach with Neill and Goldblum, and watching the sky grow blacker and blacker, until suddenly they were 3 feet deep in the storm surge and had to bolt for cover. That's horrifying!
June 13, 2025
Calling this the 'ultimate' visual history is the perfect way to describe this detailed behind the scenes look at the Jurassic Park film trilogy.
Each film is given extensive coverage, from sections about animatronocd, casting, music, sound design, marketing--to name just a few.
Jurassic Park (the original film) is my favourite film if all time, so this was a treat for me. The introductions by Sam Neill and Laura Dern are also a nice bonus. They're clearly both passionate about the films, even after all these years.
Each film is given extensive coverage, from sections about animatronocd, casting, music, sound design, marketing--to name just a few.
Jurassic Park (the original film) is my favourite film if all time, so this was a treat for me. The introductions by Sam Neill and Laura Dern are also a nice bonus. They're clearly both passionate about the films, even after all these years.
June 29, 2025
Now this book I really enjoyed, I highly recommend it to those who are fans of the original Jurassic Park movies.
What I liked: Now what I enjoyed was the process of them making the movies, and deciding who to cast, and what dinosaurs to use.
What I didn't like: I didn't like how in the 3rd movie it was all chaos, like it says in here it seems like they didn't have a script, and were just making things up as they went along.
What I liked: Now what I enjoyed was the process of them making the movies, and deciding who to cast, and what dinosaurs to use.
What I didn't like: I didn't like how in the 3rd movie it was all chaos, like it says in here it seems like they didn't have a script, and were just making things up as they went along.
July 24, 2022
I love these huge making of books. This one is broken up into four chapters, the first three covering the original films, with the fourth covering all the merchandise including toys, video games, and comics. It’s a fun read filled with great photos, unseen concept art, and text of anecdotes about production and filming. Highly recommended for any fan of Jurassic Park. Volume 2 coming this fall!
December 10, 2022
A very complete overview with loads of artworks and goodies from the first 3 Jurassic Park movies! A must have for all fans as it is very in depth about the 'making of' and gives a lot of behind the scenes anecdotes and facts. Minus points for the goodies being glued into the book which leaves stains on the paper.
4,5/5🌟
4,5/5🌟
October 15, 2023
It’s big, it’s bulky but it’s worth it because it’s so full of behind the scenes info (and some inserts of storyboards and other interesting things).
I would easily recommend this to fans of the Jurassic Park franchise.
Only took me so long to get through because I knew I couldn’t take this one out and about to read when I had time.
I would easily recommend this to fans of the Jurassic Park franchise.
Only took me so long to get through because I knew I couldn’t take this one out and about to read when I had time.
July 12, 2025
Pretty much everything you can learn about the first three Jurassic Park films. It's a must read for fans with plenty of tidbits and anecdotes that you won't find anywhere else. I'd rate this 4.5/5 with my only criticism being the final section on merchandising/pop culture being too short as it could have included more.
November 21, 2021
This will likely be my Book of the Year.
March 12, 2022
I loved this so much, and now I can't wait for the next one about the "World" trilogy!
May 4, 2022
great book
July 21, 2022
So COOL!
January 29, 2024
A fantastic journey through the making of the saga, with supercool goodies inserted.
A must for whose who ever wish to visit Jurassic Park !
A must for whose who ever wish to visit Jurassic Park !
July 20, 2025
EL LIBRO MÁS CARO QUE ME HE COMPRADO Y EL QUE MÁS FELIZ ME HA HECHO CON DIFERENCIA 💖💖💖
July 17, 2022
Libro que me ha encantado, como el de regreso al Futuro. Nos cuenta todo el entresijo de la grabación, así como antes y después. Y nos trae material extra
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews