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Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work
Guillermo del Toro is a complete and intimate study of the life and work of one of modern cinema's most truly unique directors, whose distinct aesthetic and imagination are unmatched in contemporary film.
Widely regarded as one of the most imaginative directors working in cinema today, Guillermo del Toro has built up a body of work that has enthralled movie fans with its dark beauty and edge-of-the-seat set pieces.
In this book, acclaimed author Ian Nathan charts the progression of a career that has produced some of contemporary cinema’s most revered scenes and idiosyncratic characters. This detailed examination looks at how the strands of del Toro’s career have woven together to create one of modern cinema’s most ground-breaking bodies of work.
Delving deep into del Toro's psyche , the book starts by examining his beginnings in Mexico, the creative but isolated child surrounded by ornate catholicism and monster magazines, filming stop motion battles between his toys on a Super-8 film camera.
It follows him to film school, where we learn of his influences, from Kafka to Bunuel, and explores his 1993 debut Cronos , the independent horror debut which draws on the religious and occult themes which would recur throughout del Toro's work.
It goes on to cover his development as a director with 1997's Mimic , his blockbuster success with the Hellboy films and goes on to study the films which have cemented his status as a legendary auteur, Oscar award winners Pan's Labrynth and T he Shape of Water, as well as his sci-fi masterpiece Pacific Rim , as well as looking at his exciting upcoming projects Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio .
An enlightening look into the mind of an auteur blessed with a singular creative vision, Guillermo del Toro analyses the processes , themes and narratives that have come to be recognised as distinctly del Toro, from practical effects to an obsession with folklore and paganism. It looks into the narrative techniques , stylistic flourishes and creative decisions which have made him a true master of modern cinema.
Presented in a slipcase with 8-page gatefold section , with scores of illuminating photographs of the director at work on set as well as iconic stills from his films and examples of his influences, this stunning package will delight all Guillermo del Toro devotees and movie lovers in general.
Unauthorised and Unofficial.
Widely regarded as one of the most imaginative directors working in cinema today, Guillermo del Toro has built up a body of work that has enthralled movie fans with its dark beauty and edge-of-the-seat set pieces.
In this book, acclaimed author Ian Nathan charts the progression of a career that has produced some of contemporary cinema’s most revered scenes and idiosyncratic characters. This detailed examination looks at how the strands of del Toro’s career have woven together to create one of modern cinema’s most ground-breaking bodies of work.
Delving deep into del Toro's psyche , the book starts by examining his beginnings in Mexico, the creative but isolated child surrounded by ornate catholicism and monster magazines, filming stop motion battles between his toys on a Super-8 film camera.
It follows him to film school, where we learn of his influences, from Kafka to Bunuel, and explores his 1993 debut Cronos , the independent horror debut which draws on the religious and occult themes which would recur throughout del Toro's work.
It goes on to cover his development as a director with 1997's Mimic , his blockbuster success with the Hellboy films and goes on to study the films which have cemented his status as a legendary auteur, Oscar award winners Pan's Labrynth and T he Shape of Water, as well as his sci-fi masterpiece Pacific Rim , as well as looking at his exciting upcoming projects Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio .
An enlightening look into the mind of an auteur blessed with a singular creative vision, Guillermo del Toro analyses the processes , themes and narratives that have come to be recognised as distinctly del Toro, from practical effects to an obsession with folklore and paganism. It looks into the narrative techniques , stylistic flourishes and creative decisions which have made him a true master of modern cinema.
Presented in a slipcase with 8-page gatefold section , with scores of illuminating photographs of the director at work on set as well as iconic stills from his films and examples of his influences, this stunning package will delight all Guillermo del Toro devotees and movie lovers in general.
Unauthorised and Unofficial.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
21 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Ian Nathan
27 books108 followersIan Nathan is the popular, London-based author of Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth, The Coen Brothers: The Filmmakers and their Films, Alien Vault, Terminator Vault, and many other books, many of which have really long titles.
He is the former editor of Empire Magazine.
If you live in the UK, you may also know from from the Discovering Film series on Sky Arts television extolling the virtues of classic film stars and directors, and he can also be heard on Talk Radio every Friday afternoon, mostly berating the state of current movies. He is just about younger than this makes him sound.
He is the former editor of Empire Magazine.
If you live in the UK, you may also know from from the Discovering Film series on Sky Arts television extolling the virtues of classic film stars and directors, and he can also be heard on Talk Radio every Friday afternoon, mostly berating the state of current movies. He is just about younger than this makes him sound.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 29, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous!
Being a fan of Guillermo del Toro's work, when I saw this available on Vine, I requested it right away and here we are. This review is for: Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work (Iconic Filmmakers Series).
This is a gorgeous volume, with a stunning booksleeve, and it features those shiny, glossy pages with photos of all kinds of del Toro goodness. This edition covers del Toro's early years, and then there are sections devoted to Hellboy, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water and more.
There are magnificent photos from old pulp covers, to del Toro's quirky, cozy, super awesome home, (complete with secret rooms behind bookcases), and all kinds of dark creatures from del Toro's own magnificent imagination.
I do realize that this is an unauthorized and unofficial edition, so that does make me wonder as to the veracity of some of the things discussed here. However, I think a lot of things presented here are common knowledge for the most part, except for the information in the early years chapter.
If you know a del Toro fan that isn't much of a reader, this might be a great gift for them, because the photos are fabulous and you almost can't help but read the provided captions. Seriously, the beautiful photos here really steal the show. With this book on your coffee table, you will never be looking for something to discuss if you're entertaining.
Being a fan of Guillermo del Toro's work, when I saw this available on Vine, I requested it right away and here we are. This review is for: Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work (Iconic Filmmakers Series).
This is a gorgeous volume, with a stunning booksleeve, and it features those shiny, glossy pages with photos of all kinds of del Toro goodness. This edition covers del Toro's early years, and then there are sections devoted to Hellboy, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water and more.
There are magnificent photos from old pulp covers, to del Toro's quirky, cozy, super awesome home, (complete with secret rooms behind bookcases), and all kinds of dark creatures from del Toro's own magnificent imagination.
I do realize that this is an unauthorized and unofficial edition, so that does make me wonder as to the veracity of some of the things discussed here. However, I think a lot of things presented here are common knowledge for the most part, except for the information in the early years chapter.
If you know a del Toro fan that isn't much of a reader, this might be a great gift for them, because the photos are fabulous and you almost can't help but read the provided captions. Seriously, the beautiful photos here really steal the show. With this book on your coffee table, you will never be looking for something to discuss if you're entertaining.
November 7, 2021
I’m a fan of this director’s work, so I was more than a little excited to read this book looking back through del Toro’s movies to discuss influences and motifs.
From author Ian Nathan’s somewhat breathless, fervent opening text, I could tell he, too, is a fan of this not easily categorizable storyteller. Once I made it past the introduction, I found the author’s approach a little calmer, less reverential, and settled in to enjoy the look at del Toro’s work, and to a lesser extent, his life. Having seen most of del Toro’s films, I could appreciate Ian Nathan’s analyses, as well as the views into the director’s life and influences:
During his childhood in Guadalajara, del Toro fell in love with monster movies, Lovecraft’s works, comics, horror and gothic dramas, and fairy tales, all of which have made appearances, either obviously, or as the foundations, of his stories. In fact, the director has often woven a number of his loves together, from his first film, “Cronos” (a creepy and unusual take on vampires, and the first appearance of Ron Perlman in his movies), to the beautifully conceived merman in “The Shape of Water”.
While his movies are visually stunning, they’re also ways for del Toro to weave in ongoing themes and concerns: his passion for Lovecraftian beasties, his wrestling with Catholiscm, his concerns about fascism, and the relationships between fathers and sons, while often employing the language and look of fairy tales (not the family-friendly Disneyfied stories, but the original, often horrifying, brutal and grim stories).
I loved the many quotes by the director sprinkled throughout the book, as well as the photos, and enjoyed this retrospective look at one of my favourite visual storytellers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group- White Lion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
From author Ian Nathan’s somewhat breathless, fervent opening text, I could tell he, too, is a fan of this not easily categorizable storyteller. Once I made it past the introduction, I found the author’s approach a little calmer, less reverential, and settled in to enjoy the look at del Toro’s work, and to a lesser extent, his life. Having seen most of del Toro’s films, I could appreciate Ian Nathan’s analyses, as well as the views into the director’s life and influences:
During his childhood in Guadalajara, del Toro fell in love with monster movies, Lovecraft’s works, comics, horror and gothic dramas, and fairy tales, all of which have made appearances, either obviously, or as the foundations, of his stories. In fact, the director has often woven a number of his loves together, from his first film, “Cronos” (a creepy and unusual take on vampires, and the first appearance of Ron Perlman in his movies), to the beautifully conceived merman in “The Shape of Water”.
While his movies are visually stunning, they’re also ways for del Toro to weave in ongoing themes and concerns: his passion for Lovecraftian beasties, his wrestling with Catholiscm, his concerns about fascism, and the relationships between fathers and sons, while often employing the language and look of fairy tales (not the family-friendly Disneyfied stories, but the original, often horrifying, brutal and grim stories).
I loved the many quotes by the director sprinkled throughout the book, as well as the photos, and enjoyed this retrospective look at one of my favourite visual storytellers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group- White Lion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
October 21, 2021
Nice coffee table book for the Guillermo del Toro fans. Half biography and half filmography, it also contains a lot of nice pictures from his life, his movies of course and even some nice shot of his personal library, which I like very much. Del Toro is a very imaginative filmmaker that have produce maybe not always the best movies, but always some of the most original fantastical takes of the last decades and his films totally deserve to be watch. This book is nothing extraordinary, but it’s well done and fun to read or just look in it from time to time.
October 16, 2021
trigger warning
This is a beautiful coffee table book about Guillermo del Toro and his art. We have a short introduction to how he wound up getting into the field, and then the chapters are sorted into the big movies, Hellboy 1 and 2 sharing a chapter, as do Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.
I chose to not mark this as fully read because I leafed through this, reading some chapters, then ignoring some about movies I haven't seen yet.
We have footnotes and pictures from the movies, or from exhibitions.
You see the author's love of Guillermo del Toro's work on every single page.
If you're looking for a gift and know the person you've in mind shares said love, this would be a great pick.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
This is a beautiful coffee table book about Guillermo del Toro and his art. We have a short introduction to how he wound up getting into the field, and then the chapters are sorted into the big movies, Hellboy 1 and 2 sharing a chapter, as do Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.
I chose to not mark this as fully read because I leafed through this, reading some chapters, then ignoring some about movies I haven't seen yet.
We have footnotes and pictures from the movies, or from exhibitions.
You see the author's love of Guillermo del Toro's work on every single page.
If you're looking for a gift and know the person you've in mind shares said love, this would be a great pick.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
December 2, 2021
I have been in love with Guillermo del Toro's mind since I first saw Pan's Labyrinth. According to some I might have been to young for it, but being only a few years older than its main character Ofelia, I was actually the perfect audience for its blend of horror and fantasy, it's combination of reality and magic. I have seen many of del Toro's other films since and never lost that love. Naturally Ian Nathan's deep-dive would be the perfect read for me. Thanks to Quarto Publishing, White Lion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Few filmmakers are as open about their passion and craft as Guillermo del Toro. He is an unashamed fanboy, a man who loves comics, films, and books. He does not hide his inspirations, never belies the brilliance of other people's work. While all these influences inspire him, he has his own tone and style that bleeds through in every single project he has worked on. Whether it is a superhero movie (pre-Marvel) like Blade II, a balls-to-the-wall funride like Pacific Rim, or a beautiful yet clinic analysis of fascism, like The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth, it is all sumptuous and full of depth. So how does he do it? How does he move so freely between genres? How does he recover from losing out on The Hobbit or his hoped for The Count of Monte Cristo? Ian Nathan to the rescue with many answers and suggestions! His Guillermo del Toro is full of passion and admiration, quoting extensively from del Toro's own interviews and thoughts and paying close attention to the details of his films. Throughout each of these chapters we get the voice of del Toro himself, giving us insights into the life events that occurred alongside his creations. What stood out to me most, however, was the strong thread of creative friendships throughout del Toro's career. He is no jealous auteur, not the kind of genius who side-eyes other people's creations. He collaborates, takes feedback, enjoys pushback and gives support himself.
Guillermo del Toro is roughly divided by his films, dedicating a chapter to each that chronicles the joys and struggles of creating the film, the nastiness of the Hollywood business, the painstaking process of crafting his elaborate sets, and the sometimes instantaneous bursts of creativity del Toro is capable of. Starting of with a chapter on the man himself, his childhood in Mexico with a bohemian mother and a strictly religious grandmother, we get a sense of the violence he witnessed on the streets and the beauty he found in monsters. It all comes together to inspire his first film, Cronos. Nathan explains the long journey to this film, the budget issues, the industry constraints, the friendships forged and the lessons learned. His next film, Mimic, saw him attempt working in Hollywood to unhappy results. Working under an unpleasant Bob Weinstein, del Toro learned some tough lessons but was not defeated. Nathan then tracks the depth in The Devil's Backbone and the fun and expertise behind Blade II. Hellboy (the first and the sequel) remains a fun riot full of depth and details, a story of a truly human demon. Pan's Labyrinth must remain my eternal favourite and it truly feels like a film in which so many things came together for del Toro. It was followed by a slow period, however, full of unfinished projects and frustrated dreams. But Pacific Rim came in to bust through any creative and financial blocks that may have been in del Toro's way. Crimson Peak was another highlight for me, a lover of Gothic literature, a film full of ghosts, but about ghosts. Nathan's penultimate chapter focuses on the triumph that was The Shape of Water, a stunning film in which many of the lessons we see del Toro learn come together. A final chapter focuses on his upcoming films, Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.
Ian Nathan does a brilliant job at guiding a reader through the labyrinth of Guillermo del Toro and his work. For a man who is so open about his creative process, del Toro is surprisingly difficult to encapsulate in a single sentence due to his broad work. Does he make fantasy films? or is he a gore-lover? Is it all big machines and pretty houses? Or is it thoughts on fascism and masculinity? Nathan is a capable guide, letting del Toro's own statements speak for themselves but providing the right kind of background and callbacks to help the reader understand the man. He is also not afraid to criticize the man, however, which is key in a book like this, which can too easily stray into mindless fawning. He picks out the lessons del Toro had to learn, the potential flaws in certain films, and the way in which del Toro's extensive world-building and attention to detail can overpower a plot. But this just makes for a fascinating show of progress and development. White Lion Publishing was kind enough to send me a physical copy of the book and I'm utterly delighted to let you know it is absolutely stunning. The book is protected by a beautiful slipcase adorned with the same stunning cover. The book is easy to hold, despite it's size and is beautifully bound, which makes it easy to leave through. The images cover entire pages or form a sort of collage, fitting very well with Nathan's text on the page. It gives you the impression of a scrapbook, or, even better, of del Toro's own leather notebooks in which he jots down his ideas. It makes Guillermo del Toro both beautiful to look at and interesting to read.
Ian Nathan's Guillermo del Toro is an invaluable insight into this master's work and life. It is a must for any del Toro fan, but also an intriguing read for anyone interested in the art of film-making, the pressure of creation, and the endless corridors of a master's mind.
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
Few filmmakers are as open about their passion and craft as Guillermo del Toro. He is an unashamed fanboy, a man who loves comics, films, and books. He does not hide his inspirations, never belies the brilliance of other people's work. While all these influences inspire him, he has his own tone and style that bleeds through in every single project he has worked on. Whether it is a superhero movie (pre-Marvel) like Blade II, a balls-to-the-wall funride like Pacific Rim, or a beautiful yet clinic analysis of fascism, like The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth, it is all sumptuous and full of depth. So how does he do it? How does he move so freely between genres? How does he recover from losing out on The Hobbit or his hoped for The Count of Monte Cristo? Ian Nathan to the rescue with many answers and suggestions! His Guillermo del Toro is full of passion and admiration, quoting extensively from del Toro's own interviews and thoughts and paying close attention to the details of his films. Throughout each of these chapters we get the voice of del Toro himself, giving us insights into the life events that occurred alongside his creations. What stood out to me most, however, was the strong thread of creative friendships throughout del Toro's career. He is no jealous auteur, not the kind of genius who side-eyes other people's creations. He collaborates, takes feedback, enjoys pushback and gives support himself.
Guillermo del Toro is roughly divided by his films, dedicating a chapter to each that chronicles the joys and struggles of creating the film, the nastiness of the Hollywood business, the painstaking process of crafting his elaborate sets, and the sometimes instantaneous bursts of creativity del Toro is capable of. Starting of with a chapter on the man himself, his childhood in Mexico with a bohemian mother and a strictly religious grandmother, we get a sense of the violence he witnessed on the streets and the beauty he found in monsters. It all comes together to inspire his first film, Cronos. Nathan explains the long journey to this film, the budget issues, the industry constraints, the friendships forged and the lessons learned. His next film, Mimic, saw him attempt working in Hollywood to unhappy results. Working under an unpleasant Bob Weinstein, del Toro learned some tough lessons but was not defeated. Nathan then tracks the depth in The Devil's Backbone and the fun and expertise behind Blade II. Hellboy (the first and the sequel) remains a fun riot full of depth and details, a story of a truly human demon. Pan's Labyrinth must remain my eternal favourite and it truly feels like a film in which so many things came together for del Toro. It was followed by a slow period, however, full of unfinished projects and frustrated dreams. But Pacific Rim came in to bust through any creative and financial blocks that may have been in del Toro's way. Crimson Peak was another highlight for me, a lover of Gothic literature, a film full of ghosts, but about ghosts. Nathan's penultimate chapter focuses on the triumph that was The Shape of Water, a stunning film in which many of the lessons we see del Toro learn come together. A final chapter focuses on his upcoming films, Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.
Ian Nathan does a brilliant job at guiding a reader through the labyrinth of Guillermo del Toro and his work. For a man who is so open about his creative process, del Toro is surprisingly difficult to encapsulate in a single sentence due to his broad work. Does he make fantasy films? or is he a gore-lover? Is it all big machines and pretty houses? Or is it thoughts on fascism and masculinity? Nathan is a capable guide, letting del Toro's own statements speak for themselves but providing the right kind of background and callbacks to help the reader understand the man. He is also not afraid to criticize the man, however, which is key in a book like this, which can too easily stray into mindless fawning. He picks out the lessons del Toro had to learn, the potential flaws in certain films, and the way in which del Toro's extensive world-building and attention to detail can overpower a plot. But this just makes for a fascinating show of progress and development. White Lion Publishing was kind enough to send me a physical copy of the book and I'm utterly delighted to let you know it is absolutely stunning. The book is protected by a beautiful slipcase adorned with the same stunning cover. The book is easy to hold, despite it's size and is beautifully bound, which makes it easy to leave through. The images cover entire pages or form a sort of collage, fitting very well with Nathan's text on the page. It gives you the impression of a scrapbook, or, even better, of del Toro's own leather notebooks in which he jots down his ideas. It makes Guillermo del Toro both beautiful to look at and interesting to read.
Ian Nathan's Guillermo del Toro is an invaluable insight into this master's work and life. It is a must for any del Toro fan, but also an intriguing read for anyone interested in the art of film-making, the pressure of creation, and the endless corridors of a master's mind.
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
October 19, 2021
What an exceptional and fascinating glimpse into the world of such a visionary Director.
I have loved Guillermo del Toro for many years now and can remember my first love being his film Cronos and so getting to read this, albeit unofficial, has been a lovely journey through the mind and creative genius that is Guillermo del Toro.
It is amazing to get an insight into the things that influenced him such as life growing up in Mexico, his religion/religious beliefs, the relationships with his family, and the real-life horrors he witnessed and was subjected to.
We also get to read about how he found his love of film, starting as a film critic, learning aspects of his craft from legends of the industry, all the way to his Directorial debut and his Oscar win.
This book is also filled with stunning scenes from his films including the heartbreakingly beautiful Pans Labyrinth and also the spectacular The Shape of Water. And not to forget, the iconic posters and pictures from many a classic horror movie, that can be felt and seen reflected in his work.
The man is undoubtedly a living legend with a mind that is filled with terror, darkness, pain, but also such beauty, humour, and kindness. He is truly one of a kind.
The limits of this man's mind are endless. He is able to take such contrasting ideas/genres like folklore, fairytale, and horror, fuse them together to then create the mesmerizing wonders we see on our screens. It's absolutely mind-blowing.
I really enjoyed reading more about my favourite director and seeing the stunning images that accompany this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley & White Line Publishing (an imprint of The Quarto Group)
My review will be on my bookstagram account (piggindani_reads) & Amazon.
Please forgive me, I don’t know how to link these pages xo
I have loved Guillermo del Toro for many years now and can remember my first love being his film Cronos and so getting to read this, albeit unofficial, has been a lovely journey through the mind and creative genius that is Guillermo del Toro.
It is amazing to get an insight into the things that influenced him such as life growing up in Mexico, his religion/religious beliefs, the relationships with his family, and the real-life horrors he witnessed and was subjected to.
We also get to read about how he found his love of film, starting as a film critic, learning aspects of his craft from legends of the industry, all the way to his Directorial debut and his Oscar win.
This book is also filled with stunning scenes from his films including the heartbreakingly beautiful Pans Labyrinth and also the spectacular The Shape of Water. And not to forget, the iconic posters and pictures from many a classic horror movie, that can be felt and seen reflected in his work.
The man is undoubtedly a living legend with a mind that is filled with terror, darkness, pain, but also such beauty, humour, and kindness. He is truly one of a kind.
The limits of this man's mind are endless. He is able to take such contrasting ideas/genres like folklore, fairytale, and horror, fuse them together to then create the mesmerizing wonders we see on our screens. It's absolutely mind-blowing.
I really enjoyed reading more about my favourite director and seeing the stunning images that accompany this book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley & White Line Publishing (an imprint of The Quarto Group)
My review will be on my bookstagram account (piggindani_reads) & Amazon.
Please forgive me, I don’t know how to link these pages xo
October 19, 2021
A celebration of one of my favourite directors, Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work is a perfect gift for any cinema lover – an artistically beguiling and brilliantly researched biography that explores the fantastical imagination of a true master of modern cinema.
Beginning in Mexico where del Toro grew up as a creative but isolated child, the book looks at his early influences and experiences then goes on to examine his filmography, from his 1993 debut Cronos to his Oscar award-winning Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, leading up to his upcoming projects, Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.
The book also includes many photographs of the director at work on set as well as iconic stills from his films. These alone make for a fascinating read as del Toro’s films are always so strikingly aesthetic. From the swampy-hued set designs contrasting with splashes of blood-red, the superior practical effects, to the nightmarish monsters that come from del Toro’s obsession with folklore and paganism, his films are always a piece of art in themselves.
I really enjoyed getting to do know more about a director that I love, learning about his influences, and getting some masterful insight on some of my favourite films.
If you love gothic historical tales and dark fairytales, I thoroughly recommend checking out some of del Toro’s work if you haven’t already.
Beginning in Mexico where del Toro grew up as a creative but isolated child, the book looks at his early influences and experiences then goes on to examine his filmography, from his 1993 debut Cronos to his Oscar award-winning Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, leading up to his upcoming projects, Nightmare Alley and Pinocchio.
The book also includes many photographs of the director at work on set as well as iconic stills from his films. These alone make for a fascinating read as del Toro’s films are always so strikingly aesthetic. From the swampy-hued set designs contrasting with splashes of blood-red, the superior practical effects, to the nightmarish monsters that come from del Toro’s obsession with folklore and paganism, his films are always a piece of art in themselves.
I really enjoyed getting to do know more about a director that I love, learning about his influences, and getting some masterful insight on some of my favourite films.
If you love gothic historical tales and dark fairytales, I thoroughly recommend checking out some of del Toro’s work if you haven’t already.
November 23, 2023
My wife brought me this book to me as she knows I love Pan's Labyrinth. And I do wish there was more behind the scenes of Doug Jones as the Faun and the Pale Man. There are some movies that I knew he did and others I didn't and definitely some I clearly need to see.
I am not fan of Peter Pan but I love his idea of Hook being a grizzled detective on the trail of a child killer that could be Peter. Would love to see that!
"Del Toro doesn't have a dark half - he is a dark whole - but away from the critical recognition there is a trashier, B-movie side to his personality."
I am not fan of Peter Pan but I love his idea of Hook being a grizzled detective on the trail of a child killer that could be Peter. Would love to see that!
"Del Toro doesn't have a dark half - he is a dark whole - but away from the critical recognition there is a trashier, B-movie side to his personality."
August 3, 2025
“I always ask myself, would this movie exist if I didn’t make it? And if the answer is yes, I don’t do it.” - Guillermo del Toro
November 4, 2021
I love Guillermo del Toro and seen everything he done and read a few of his books. This book is amazing! So beautiful and as a ”extra material-junkie” that owns several of his movies for that reason can’t resist a book like this.
The next best thing except watching a movie is to learn how it’s done and what goes around the head of the maker. Since Guillermo del Toro always have some creature that needs make up and costumes it’s always extra interesting to find out how it’s done.
I loved the PDF version I got from Netgalley and I ordered the real book after reading it because I loved it so much.
The next best thing except watching a movie is to learn how it’s done and what goes around the head of the maker. Since Guillermo del Toro always have some creature that needs make up and costumes it’s always extra interesting to find out how it’s done.
I loved the PDF version I got from Netgalley and I ordered the real book after reading it because I loved it so much.
May 18, 2025
This has been a slow read, one that I've been working through over the course of this past year. Thought I would use an inspired write up from my personal blog space as a review:
Is there irony in the fact of a renewed Christian not only locating his hero in a proposed angry athiest, but finding in his hero's art a pathway to God?
Maybe. On the surface at least it feels contradictory, and yet this is nevertheless true of my relationship to Spanish filmmaker/artist Guillermo Del Toro. A man with an incredibly storied past featuring three polarizing personalities pushing in from the outside in ways that would leave even the strongest of us mired in confusion and incoherency and complication- his strict and forceful Catholic Grandmother,whom saw his fascination with monsters as demons needing to be exorcised (quite literally as part of their daily routine), the hard disposition of a staunch materiliast and nihilistic father, and the alluring mystique of a mother immersed in the dark arts of tarot reading.
These three points of view, all converging on one another in the mind and life of a young boy striving to understand a world shaped by monsters, of notions of good and evil,, would ultimatlely come to a head when he came upon a scene of dead corpses piled up on one another. Here is where he describes the seeds of any potential faith in his inherited catholicism lapsing, leading him to conclude,
“Death is the ultimate goal of life… Good or evil we all end up as rotten garbage.”
And to underscore this further, he adds,
“I believe in two things- God and time. Both are infinite, both reign supreme. Both crush mankind.”
In an article written by Mike Duran, he notes something similar when it comes to his own fascination with and love of the “angry atheist” and his art.
Art does not occur in a vacuum, even if that vacuum is an atheistic one… (but) Call me narrow-minded, whenever I see an artist of del Toro’s caliber profess godlessness, it breaks my heart. There is something natural, right, about a talented individual acknowledging Something / Someone outside themselves — even Fate or Fortune — that has blessed them. Otherwise, it’s like painting the Cistene Chapel in hell — no matter how beautiful, fantastic, or captivating, it just doesn’t matter.
And here in lies the contrast inherent in Del Toro’s body of work.
On the one hand del Toro is critical of theistic forms of belief in God, but yet tells cinematic narratives about alternative magical realities that might be interpreted as spiritual in nature
The article goes on to articulate how this contrast of senses, beliefs and sensibilities forces us to see beyond the limits of the angry atheist which Duran so aptly defines as leading to a singular rational and logical end. The same end that, by first appereance, one might find inherent to Del Toro’s own striking acknoweldgment of the worlds percieved nihilistic framework.
Having just finished Ian Nathan’s definitive biographical treaties on the enigmatic figure, simply titled Guillermo Del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work, this is made abundantly clear. With his stated assessment of a world defined by death, his journey as a filmmaker is marked by stories that refuse to let death have the last word. That refuse to let the world be defined by the hsrd reality of his father, even as his films function simultaneously as a biting critique of the abuses of religious institutions. Perhaps that leaves his mother as the reigning influential voice, however he repeatedly roots and owes his beliefs, defined as it is by his emphatic embrace of the monsters ànd the darkness, to the whole, something he is always careful to acknowledge with love. He owes as much to his Catholic framework as he does to his father’s nihilism. Even then, if there is a residing thematic force running through his body of work, it would be stories that appear, if at least through subjective observation, to be convincing him that this world isn’t held captive to either. Mike Duran puts it this way;
In my opinion, he’s an atheist in name only. What he presents in Pan’s Labyrinth — the one film besides Cronos that’s his own original conception — is a kind of alternative Christianity spawned from Victorian fantasy. The Underworld palace where Ofelia/Moanna reigns is a faux Gothic cathedral with a Celtified rose window. He’s suggesting that our world is ruled from an alternative spiritual reality that’s mostly beneficent, even if it’s also populated by morally ambiguous creatures like the Faun and truly dreadful ones like the cannibal Pale Man.
If there was any doubt that Duran is on the right track, we can find this echoed in Del Toro’s own words regarding both his work on the two Hellboy movies and his magnum opus, Pans Labyrinth,
“It’s about the real world mining and undermining fantasy and magic, and how tragically we are destroying magic every day…. I side with the fantasy.”
The angry atheist finding in Del Toro a composite and supporting voice might be tempted to treat his use of the word “fantasy” as stories that are not true, but this would, I think, be missing the point of his films. Things make much more sense when you hone in on the stories he shares throughout Nathan’s biography regarding his experience of the mystical. Stories stemming from unexplainable experiences embedded in his childhood, to stories of “destined” occurances and perspective shaping moments that cover the ups and downs of his relationship to hollywood and Mexico as a filmmaker whom refuses to bend to expectations (as he says, all truth is about necessary disobedience, which could apply just as readily to his atheism as it could to his lasped catholicism). Such as the recovery of his lost notebook that held the future of Pans Labyrinth in its pages. A similar story emerges from outside voices, be it his relationship with Doug Jones, a committed Christian, and Ron Perlman, who’s own spiritual journey and belief in God is described in his auto-biography as shaping the strength of their relationship.
Again, to borrow from the filmmakers own words,
Well I believe… I believe… I’m semi-agnostic. I believe that there are so many things that are entirely unknowable that it’s better to abandon yourself to the wisdom of the universe, or its indifference, as Albert Camus would say.
If his art is a witness to anything, it is a testimony to the power of this wisdom and its refusal to let go of him, to abandon him to the ultimate goal of death. Indeed, that “disagreement” that frames his approach, is a willingness to allow his art to challenge the truth of a world devoid of magic, which is precisely what his stories do. In many ways, what I find in his films and his voice is a rebellion against the illusion of indifference. Like the chalk framed doorway in Pan’s Labyrinth, his visionary stories provide a window into a truer vision of the world, one in which the fantasy, or the myth, cannot be reduced to the sort of materialistic and reductionist outlook that we might feel obligated towards when confronted by a pile of dead corpses. It is interesting that his obsession with recovering and preserving the magic, or even the “fairy tale,” is described almost as a defiant reminder to himself to not let go of the truer vision of the world that a child sees informing the death, This is what Ofelia represents. A marveling at the fact, as he puts it, that supposedly mature adults see growing up and seeing the world more truly as an embrace of death and war, while fairy tales, the stories that recover the world from this reality, get relegated to the realm of the child. “Fantasy,” Del Toro states, “allows us to explain, interpret and reappropriate reality.” Not as a construction, but as a greater truth. After all, if such stories are not anchored in truth, it is the adult quest of death and indifference that should be the thing we aspire to communicate and embrace, not the fantasy. And yet it is the fantasy that captures our spirit, not as escape but as a defining and contextualizing force.
This is what makes him a formative voice for me. This doorway was my invitation to seeing and knowing God more fully. Of siding with the magic rather than the death.. Does that feel like a contradiction? Maybe on the surface. But it doesn’t tale much digging to see what art, and indeed the inherent human journey, compells us towards. Leaves us restless for.
Is there irony in the fact of a renewed Christian not only locating his hero in a proposed angry athiest, but finding in his hero's art a pathway to God?
Maybe. On the surface at least it feels contradictory, and yet this is nevertheless true of my relationship to Spanish filmmaker/artist Guillermo Del Toro. A man with an incredibly storied past featuring three polarizing personalities pushing in from the outside in ways that would leave even the strongest of us mired in confusion and incoherency and complication- his strict and forceful Catholic Grandmother,whom saw his fascination with monsters as demons needing to be exorcised (quite literally as part of their daily routine), the hard disposition of a staunch materiliast and nihilistic father, and the alluring mystique of a mother immersed in the dark arts of tarot reading.
These three points of view, all converging on one another in the mind and life of a young boy striving to understand a world shaped by monsters, of notions of good and evil,, would ultimatlely come to a head when he came upon a scene of dead corpses piled up on one another. Here is where he describes the seeds of any potential faith in his inherited catholicism lapsing, leading him to conclude,
“Death is the ultimate goal of life… Good or evil we all end up as rotten garbage.”
And to underscore this further, he adds,
“I believe in two things- God and time. Both are infinite, both reign supreme. Both crush mankind.”
In an article written by Mike Duran, he notes something similar when it comes to his own fascination with and love of the “angry atheist” and his art.
Art does not occur in a vacuum, even if that vacuum is an atheistic one… (but) Call me narrow-minded, whenever I see an artist of del Toro’s caliber profess godlessness, it breaks my heart. There is something natural, right, about a talented individual acknowledging Something / Someone outside themselves — even Fate or Fortune — that has blessed them. Otherwise, it’s like painting the Cistene Chapel in hell — no matter how beautiful, fantastic, or captivating, it just doesn’t matter.
And here in lies the contrast inherent in Del Toro’s body of work.
On the one hand del Toro is critical of theistic forms of belief in God, but yet tells cinematic narratives about alternative magical realities that might be interpreted as spiritual in nature
The article goes on to articulate how this contrast of senses, beliefs and sensibilities forces us to see beyond the limits of the angry atheist which Duran so aptly defines as leading to a singular rational and logical end. The same end that, by first appereance, one might find inherent to Del Toro’s own striking acknoweldgment of the worlds percieved nihilistic framework.
Having just finished Ian Nathan’s definitive biographical treaties on the enigmatic figure, simply titled Guillermo Del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work, this is made abundantly clear. With his stated assessment of a world defined by death, his journey as a filmmaker is marked by stories that refuse to let death have the last word. That refuse to let the world be defined by the hsrd reality of his father, even as his films function simultaneously as a biting critique of the abuses of religious institutions. Perhaps that leaves his mother as the reigning influential voice, however he repeatedly roots and owes his beliefs, defined as it is by his emphatic embrace of the monsters ànd the darkness, to the whole, something he is always careful to acknowledge with love. He owes as much to his Catholic framework as he does to his father’s nihilism. Even then, if there is a residing thematic force running through his body of work, it would be stories that appear, if at least through subjective observation, to be convincing him that this world isn’t held captive to either. Mike Duran puts it this way;
In my opinion, he’s an atheist in name only. What he presents in Pan’s Labyrinth — the one film besides Cronos that’s his own original conception — is a kind of alternative Christianity spawned from Victorian fantasy. The Underworld palace where Ofelia/Moanna reigns is a faux Gothic cathedral with a Celtified rose window. He’s suggesting that our world is ruled from an alternative spiritual reality that’s mostly beneficent, even if it’s also populated by morally ambiguous creatures like the Faun and truly dreadful ones like the cannibal Pale Man.
If there was any doubt that Duran is on the right track, we can find this echoed in Del Toro’s own words regarding both his work on the two Hellboy movies and his magnum opus, Pans Labyrinth,
“It’s about the real world mining and undermining fantasy and magic, and how tragically we are destroying magic every day…. I side with the fantasy.”
The angry atheist finding in Del Toro a composite and supporting voice might be tempted to treat his use of the word “fantasy” as stories that are not true, but this would, I think, be missing the point of his films. Things make much more sense when you hone in on the stories he shares throughout Nathan’s biography regarding his experience of the mystical. Stories stemming from unexplainable experiences embedded in his childhood, to stories of “destined” occurances and perspective shaping moments that cover the ups and downs of his relationship to hollywood and Mexico as a filmmaker whom refuses to bend to expectations (as he says, all truth is about necessary disobedience, which could apply just as readily to his atheism as it could to his lasped catholicism). Such as the recovery of his lost notebook that held the future of Pans Labyrinth in its pages. A similar story emerges from outside voices, be it his relationship with Doug Jones, a committed Christian, and Ron Perlman, who’s own spiritual journey and belief in God is described in his auto-biography as shaping the strength of their relationship.
Again, to borrow from the filmmakers own words,
Well I believe… I believe… I’m semi-agnostic. I believe that there are so many things that are entirely unknowable that it’s better to abandon yourself to the wisdom of the universe, or its indifference, as Albert Camus would say.
If his art is a witness to anything, it is a testimony to the power of this wisdom and its refusal to let go of him, to abandon him to the ultimate goal of death. Indeed, that “disagreement” that frames his approach, is a willingness to allow his art to challenge the truth of a world devoid of magic, which is precisely what his stories do. In many ways, what I find in his films and his voice is a rebellion against the illusion of indifference. Like the chalk framed doorway in Pan’s Labyrinth, his visionary stories provide a window into a truer vision of the world, one in which the fantasy, or the myth, cannot be reduced to the sort of materialistic and reductionist outlook that we might feel obligated towards when confronted by a pile of dead corpses. It is interesting that his obsession with recovering and preserving the magic, or even the “fairy tale,” is described almost as a defiant reminder to himself to not let go of the truer vision of the world that a child sees informing the death, This is what Ofelia represents. A marveling at the fact, as he puts it, that supposedly mature adults see growing up and seeing the world more truly as an embrace of death and war, while fairy tales, the stories that recover the world from this reality, get relegated to the realm of the child. “Fantasy,” Del Toro states, “allows us to explain, interpret and reappropriate reality.” Not as a construction, but as a greater truth. After all, if such stories are not anchored in truth, it is the adult quest of death and indifference that should be the thing we aspire to communicate and embrace, not the fantasy. And yet it is the fantasy that captures our spirit, not as escape but as a defining and contextualizing force.
This is what makes him a formative voice for me. This doorway was my invitation to seeing and knowing God more fully. Of siding with the magic rather than the death.. Does that feel like a contradiction? Maybe on the surface. But it doesn’t tale much digging to see what art, and indeed the inherent human journey, compells us towards. Leaves us restless for.
November 20, 2021
I cannot actually think of someone whose first four films I all paid to go and see in the cinema who isn't del Toro, and yet there was always something about his films that make them less than the sum of the parts. For all the exuberance of Hellboy and the conviction his genre-savvy auteurship leads to his films, there is always the fact he employed a third of Bros as an uber-vampire, and, of course, Hellboy 2, for cryin' out loud. Part of me wanted to make a pat comparison with the man and this book, but this just about does do all it sets out to achieve, unlike its subject. "You need to define success by the degree of fulfilment," and all that, to quote the man himself.
It is highly visual, with hardly a page not given a still, set photo or relevant poster art, and it all comes over as looking very de luxe, bred from weeks and years of stewing in notebook form, perhaps, like the movies it's concerned with. It is very brash – comments along the lines of Ron Perlman having "a voice like a cave-in" barely acceptable back in the author's Empire magazine days, let alone here. But I think here is something much more the Hellboy than the Hellboy 2, if not one of his heartfelt if over-rated Spanish-language efforts. (Now, if you don't know, Hellboy 2 suffered because del Toro was sucking up to his own ideas, throwing everything that could walk past a kitchen sink on to the set, and ending up with a boring movie featuring practically zero humans, and practically zero humanity for us to give a toss about. Whether one supernatural side won their battle or the other did barely meant jack all to anybody living on Earth.)
But here there is a human character, the monster-obsessed guy, forcing open doors into the world of movie make-up, having his father kidnapped for a large ransom (a story that had evaded my attention before now), and drumming his ideas and aesthetic as much as he can into both quieter, personal creations like The Shape of Water and rampaging franchise-geared entertainments – and being almost convincing in saying that the two are the same thing. Who knew he was a devotee of sewers as a child, and that led to some of le look du Blade 2? Not me.
I guess del Toro is a likeable chap, along the lines of flawed geniuses, but this volume isn't concerned with interpreting his character along such lines. No, it's a lot more factual, and in barely calling anything out as pants does kind of fit the standard reading of the man's life, work and films, which as you've seen I can not quite adhere to. In fact, an overly-optimistic ending (saying del Toro has two films to come in 2021, when both are 2022-bound) suggests the author has seen them both, although the real cineaste would have been interested in raising the issues leading from Crimson Peak being an IMAX gimmick. (Also missing is any comment from anyone else, ie what's he like as a director, friend, husband?) The fact the book knows more of the cast of these imminent films than imdb does at my time of writing shows this could have been a superlative inside picture. What we have is high on pictorial craft, low on judgement, and strong with journalistic detail. Let's face it, it would never have been as fantastically individual as its topic. But it certainly is worth consideration, much like the man himself.
It is highly visual, with hardly a page not given a still, set photo or relevant poster art, and it all comes over as looking very de luxe, bred from weeks and years of stewing in notebook form, perhaps, like the movies it's concerned with. It is very brash – comments along the lines of Ron Perlman having "a voice like a cave-in" barely acceptable back in the author's Empire magazine days, let alone here. But I think here is something much more the Hellboy than the Hellboy 2, if not one of his heartfelt if over-rated Spanish-language efforts. (Now, if you don't know, Hellboy 2 suffered because del Toro was sucking up to his own ideas, throwing everything that could walk past a kitchen sink on to the set, and ending up with a boring movie featuring practically zero humans, and practically zero humanity for us to give a toss about. Whether one supernatural side won their battle or the other did barely meant jack all to anybody living on Earth.)
But here there is a human character, the monster-obsessed guy, forcing open doors into the world of movie make-up, having his father kidnapped for a large ransom (a story that had evaded my attention before now), and drumming his ideas and aesthetic as much as he can into both quieter, personal creations like The Shape of Water and rampaging franchise-geared entertainments – and being almost convincing in saying that the two are the same thing. Who knew he was a devotee of sewers as a child, and that led to some of le look du Blade 2? Not me.
I guess del Toro is a likeable chap, along the lines of flawed geniuses, but this volume isn't concerned with interpreting his character along such lines. No, it's a lot more factual, and in barely calling anything out as pants does kind of fit the standard reading of the man's life, work and films, which as you've seen I can not quite adhere to. In fact, an overly-optimistic ending (saying del Toro has two films to come in 2021, when both are 2022-bound) suggests the author has seen them both, although the real cineaste would have been interested in raising the issues leading from Crimson Peak being an IMAX gimmick. (Also missing is any comment from anyone else, ie what's he like as a director, friend, husband?) The fact the book knows more of the cast of these imminent films than imdb does at my time of writing shows this could have been a superlative inside picture. What we have is high on pictorial craft, low on judgement, and strong with journalistic detail. Let's face it, it would never have been as fantastically individual as its topic. But it certainly is worth consideration, much like the man himself.
March 14, 2024
"I think being a monster, and accepting that you are a monster, gives you the leeway to not behave like one."
This book is a comprehensive exploration of one of my favorite and one of the most visionary directors in contemporary cinema. Ian Nathan delves deep into Guillermo del Toro's creative process, thematic concerns, and the evolution of his cinematic style.
The book provides an understanding of del Toro's background, influences, and the cultural milieu that shapes his work. From his early sometimes dark days in Mexico to his rise to international prominence, the author meticulously traces del Toro's journey as a filmmaker, highlighting key moments of artistic development and personal growth.
One of the book's strengths lies in its analysis of del Toro's distinctive aesthetic, which seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, horror, noir and fairy tales; described in the book as "genre fluid". Through insightful commentary and thorough research, the author unpacks the recurring motifs and thematic preoccupations that characterize del Toro's oeuvre, from the exploration of monstrosity and otherness to the celebration of empathy and human resilience.
Moreover, the book offers a comprehensive overview of del Toro's filmography, providing in-depth analyses of seminal works such as "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Shape of Water," and "Crimson Peak." It even dives into some of his more painful experiences such as enduring the Weinstein tyranny of creating the Miramax film "Mimic". By examining these films within their cultural, historical, and cinematic contexts, the author sheds light on del Toro's mastery of visual storytelling, narrative craftsmanship, and thematic complexity.
The book also pays homage to del Toro's collaborative spirit, highlighting his collaborations with actors, cinematographers, designers, and other creative talents. Through behind-the-scenes anecdotes and interviews, readers gain insight into the collaborative dynamics that shape del Toro's cinematic vision, underscoring the director's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive creative environment. Loyalty is key part of his career, both given and received.
Overall, this is definitely an essential read for fans of del Toro's films and anyone interested in the intersection of cinema, art, and imagination. With its rigorous analysis, engaging prose, and deep reverence for its subject matter, the book offers a compelling portrait of a filmmaker whose work continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
This book is a comprehensive exploration of one of my favorite and one of the most visionary directors in contemporary cinema. Ian Nathan delves deep into Guillermo del Toro's creative process, thematic concerns, and the evolution of his cinematic style.
The book provides an understanding of del Toro's background, influences, and the cultural milieu that shapes his work. From his early sometimes dark days in Mexico to his rise to international prominence, the author meticulously traces del Toro's journey as a filmmaker, highlighting key moments of artistic development and personal growth.
One of the book's strengths lies in its analysis of del Toro's distinctive aesthetic, which seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, horror, noir and fairy tales; described in the book as "genre fluid". Through insightful commentary and thorough research, the author unpacks the recurring motifs and thematic preoccupations that characterize del Toro's oeuvre, from the exploration of monstrosity and otherness to the celebration of empathy and human resilience.
Moreover, the book offers a comprehensive overview of del Toro's filmography, providing in-depth analyses of seminal works such as "Pan's Labyrinth," "The Shape of Water," and "Crimson Peak." It even dives into some of his more painful experiences such as enduring the Weinstein tyranny of creating the Miramax film "Mimic". By examining these films within their cultural, historical, and cinematic contexts, the author sheds light on del Toro's mastery of visual storytelling, narrative craftsmanship, and thematic complexity.
The book also pays homage to del Toro's collaborative spirit, highlighting his collaborations with actors, cinematographers, designers, and other creative talents. Through behind-the-scenes anecdotes and interviews, readers gain insight into the collaborative dynamics that shape del Toro's cinematic vision, underscoring the director's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive creative environment. Loyalty is key part of his career, both given and received.
Overall, this is definitely an essential read for fans of del Toro's films and anyone interested in the intersection of cinema, art, and imagination. With its rigorous analysis, engaging prose, and deep reverence for its subject matter, the book offers a compelling portrait of a filmmaker whose work continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
November 10, 2021
The PERFECT gift for the cinephile friend in your life.
I've always considered myself a Guillermo del Toro fan, but my experience with his filmography has been spotty. The few movies of his that I have seen, I can recite by heart, and I've really enjoyed following his career since the late 2000s. But what about the rest of his work? What about his inspiration, his personal experience, his aspirations and projects that just never came to pass?
Ian Nathan's beautifully illustrated and researched "Guillermo del Toro" coffee table book went above and beyond my expectations. Nathan starts at the beginning, like many great stories, and shows us how the great del Toro grew up on formative fiction we still see referenced in his works today. A lot of this consists of horror fiction and pop culture that has only recently gained mainstream recognition (think superheroes, from a more niche standpoint, and pulp fiction... the genre, not the movie). del Toro's early steps as a filmmaker navigate a strange space between cultures, where he always stays true to his Mexican roots but inevitably draws on imports from other countries, all inextricably mixed in his mind to create the perfect combination of scary, beautiful, and genuinely touching human emotion.
The cinephile and film history fans will particularly appreciate the detailed overview Nathan gives of del Toro's creative process and production history across multiple different films. Having worked in multiple circles (even with the Almodóvar brothers in Spain), del Toro experienced a lot of different approaches to studio systems, creative liberties, and the dance between the producer and the director. Even if you're not the #1 del Toro fan out there, you'll find a lot of incredibly interesting information here about the various creative and directing roles that shape a film and how those roles can vary wildly depending on who's involved (not to mention when).
Overall, this is a must-have if you like movies, del Toro's work at any point of his career, or high-quality coffee table books that justify every single glossy illustrations with educational notes and visual delight.
Thank you to Netgalley and the White Lion Quarto Publishing Group for sending me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've always considered myself a Guillermo del Toro fan, but my experience with his filmography has been spotty. The few movies of his that I have seen, I can recite by heart, and I've really enjoyed following his career since the late 2000s. But what about the rest of his work? What about his inspiration, his personal experience, his aspirations and projects that just never came to pass?
Ian Nathan's beautifully illustrated and researched "Guillermo del Toro" coffee table book went above and beyond my expectations. Nathan starts at the beginning, like many great stories, and shows us how the great del Toro grew up on formative fiction we still see referenced in his works today. A lot of this consists of horror fiction and pop culture that has only recently gained mainstream recognition (think superheroes, from a more niche standpoint, and pulp fiction... the genre, not the movie). del Toro's early steps as a filmmaker navigate a strange space between cultures, where he always stays true to his Mexican roots but inevitably draws on imports from other countries, all inextricably mixed in his mind to create the perfect combination of scary, beautiful, and genuinely touching human emotion.
The cinephile and film history fans will particularly appreciate the detailed overview Nathan gives of del Toro's creative process and production history across multiple different films. Having worked in multiple circles (even with the Almodóvar brothers in Spain), del Toro experienced a lot of different approaches to studio systems, creative liberties, and the dance between the producer and the director. Even if you're not the #1 del Toro fan out there, you'll find a lot of incredibly interesting information here about the various creative and directing roles that shape a film and how those roles can vary wildly depending on who's involved (not to mention when).
Overall, this is a must-have if you like movies, del Toro's work at any point of his career, or high-quality coffee table books that justify every single glossy illustrations with educational notes and visual delight.
Thank you to Netgalley and the White Lion Quarto Publishing Group for sending me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2021
My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group White Lion for a temporary digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work’ by Ian Nathan in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully presented biography that details del Toro’s career film by film, each one accompanied by a stunning series of photographs. Ian Nathan clearly has a deep appreciation of these films and places them in relation to del Toro’s developing career as well as the wider history of film.
It’s such a pleasure to read a film historian with such a breadth of knowledge, who celebrates genre film and also has an understanding of horror and Gothic fiction tropes.
While I have been aware of a number of del Toro’s films, I didn’t know that he had been responsible for ‘Mimic’, which I had enjoyed in the tradition of 1950s big bug movies; as well as ‘Pacific Rim’, though not my kind of film had impressive design and special effects.
The influence of H.P. Lovecraft on del Toro’s work wasn’t something I knew of before reading this book. I also enjoyed the glimpses inside del Toro’s home, Bleak House, with its macabre decor.
Ian Nathan cited del Toro’s exploration of the ‘border country between horror and fairy tale’. I found this a very powerful description and one that resonated deeply with me. As well as his role as a writer, producer, and director, Ian Nathan also touches on Guillermo del Toro’s novels and upcoming projects.
Overall, an excellent overview of Guillermo del Toro’s life and work. I found it very informative as well as a visual treat.
Highly recommended and the perfect gift for a film enthusiast wishing to expand their knowledge of this iconic filmmaker.
This is a beautifully presented biography that details del Toro’s career film by film, each one accompanied by a stunning series of photographs. Ian Nathan clearly has a deep appreciation of these films and places them in relation to del Toro’s developing career as well as the wider history of film.
It’s such a pleasure to read a film historian with such a breadth of knowledge, who celebrates genre film and also has an understanding of horror and Gothic fiction tropes.
While I have been aware of a number of del Toro’s films, I didn’t know that he had been responsible for ‘Mimic’, which I had enjoyed in the tradition of 1950s big bug movies; as well as ‘Pacific Rim’, though not my kind of film had impressive design and special effects.
The influence of H.P. Lovecraft on del Toro’s work wasn’t something I knew of before reading this book. I also enjoyed the glimpses inside del Toro’s home, Bleak House, with its macabre decor.
Ian Nathan cited del Toro’s exploration of the ‘border country between horror and fairy tale’. I found this a very powerful description and one that resonated deeply with me. As well as his role as a writer, producer, and director, Ian Nathan also touches on Guillermo del Toro’s novels and upcoming projects.
Overall, an excellent overview of Guillermo del Toro’s life and work. I found it very informative as well as a visual treat.
Highly recommended and the perfect gift for a film enthusiast wishing to expand their knowledge of this iconic filmmaker.
October 20, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Quarto Publishing Group- White Lion for an advanced copy of this coffee table memoir and film study.
One of the very film directors that the word 'visionary' actually seems made for is the director- writer- sculptor- painter- and more Guillermo del Toro. Besides "visionary" maybe he word 'multi- hyphenate' is fitting. In the new coffee table book Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work, author Ian Norman, follows the director from his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico to his newest planned films.
The book is lavishly illustrated with film posters, film stills, paintings, books, comics, and pictures of his own collection, which once merited a book of its own. Though the book is unoffical and unauthorized the author has done a very good job and researching and trying to get deep into Mr. del Toro and to find what makes him tick. Be it his early days filling notebooks with ideas for his first movie Chronos, or the pain of learning about Hollywood via his soul crushing work on the movie Mimic, Mr. Norman has really created a fine narrative explaining much about the director and how he traveled from genre films, to world cinema, to Oscar winning director.
A beautiful book for serious fans. Some of the stories might not be new, and some of the pictures of the collection might be familiar, but this is one of the better books on a director that really has changed film and challenged audiences with movies that are not only visually stunning, but thoughtful and emotional. Plus he made Blade 2. That movies was awesome. this book is a true treat for any cinephile.
One of the very film directors that the word 'visionary' actually seems made for is the director- writer- sculptor- painter- and more Guillermo del Toro. Besides "visionary" maybe he word 'multi- hyphenate' is fitting. In the new coffee table book Guillermo del Toro: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work, author Ian Norman, follows the director from his childhood in Guadalajara, Mexico to his newest planned films.
The book is lavishly illustrated with film posters, film stills, paintings, books, comics, and pictures of his own collection, which once merited a book of its own. Though the book is unoffical and unauthorized the author has done a very good job and researching and trying to get deep into Mr. del Toro and to find what makes him tick. Be it his early days filling notebooks with ideas for his first movie Chronos, or the pain of learning about Hollywood via his soul crushing work on the movie Mimic, Mr. Norman has really created a fine narrative explaining much about the director and how he traveled from genre films, to world cinema, to Oscar winning director.
A beautiful book for serious fans. Some of the stories might not be new, and some of the pictures of the collection might be familiar, but this is one of the better books on a director that really has changed film and challenged audiences with movies that are not only visually stunning, but thoughtful and emotional. Plus he made Blade 2. That movies was awesome. this book is a true treat for any cinephile.
October 19, 2021
Guillermo del Toro is a beautiful, coffee table style book about the director’s early life and filmography. This book is a must read for any del Toro fan, as well as anyone who enjoys horror, weird things and cinema in general.
The book begins with a brief background of del Toros’s early life and explores his early love of film and monsters in general. From there each chapter highlights a different del Toro movie chronologically. The inspiration, filming struggles and del Toro’s general feelings about each film are addressed in each chapter. I loved delving into each of del Toro’s films. I’m a big fan of his work, but reading this book allowed me to pause and reflect on each movie individually. It was very interesting to see how politics, artwork and history have all influenced this writer/director in all of his works. It was also interesting to read about Guillermo’s relationships with other directors. The chapter about Pan’s Labyrinth was great and I enjoyed reading about his friendship with Alfonso Cuarón.
The photos in this book were beautiful. I loved the mix of classic horror/vintage posters with shots from del Toro’s own movies. One of the reasons I love his movies so much is because I know he is such a fan of the classics and puts his passion into it. All in all this book was a really lovely tribute and I can’t wait to see his future projects.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
The book begins with a brief background of del Toros’s early life and explores his early love of film and monsters in general. From there each chapter highlights a different del Toro movie chronologically. The inspiration, filming struggles and del Toro’s general feelings about each film are addressed in each chapter. I loved delving into each of del Toro’s films. I’m a big fan of his work, but reading this book allowed me to pause and reflect on each movie individually. It was very interesting to see how politics, artwork and history have all influenced this writer/director in all of his works. It was also interesting to read about Guillermo’s relationships with other directors. The chapter about Pan’s Labyrinth was great and I enjoyed reading about his friendship with Alfonso Cuarón.
The photos in this book were beautiful. I loved the mix of classic horror/vintage posters with shots from del Toro’s own movies. One of the reasons I love his movies so much is because I know he is such a fan of the classics and puts his passion into it. All in all this book was a really lovely tribute and I can’t wait to see his future projects.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
November 20, 2021
Guillermo Del Toro has been one of the most unique movie directors for the past 15 years. His works have an authentic and unique feel that is rare in western cinema. Watching most of his movies has always been not just a treat for the eyes, but always has something for my mind to sink its teeth into.
Guillermo Del Toro, The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work, is a book that delves into the beginnings of Del Toro, his interests, and how he developed his aesthetic. It examines the movie's director's development, his missteps, and how he almost lost his sense of self thanks to the cutthroat environment of Hollywood.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK
I love how the author allowed space for the director's own words about his processes. I love reading Del Toro's words about what was going through his mind during the creation of his ideas.
The images in the book illuminate what kind of director Del Toro is. Being able to glimpse into a few pages of his actual notebook to see how he constructs his ideas in words and pictures was exciting.
DISLIKES
None
WHO IS THE BOOK FOR?
This is for Del Toro's fans, both newcomers and long-time admirers. It gives an insight into what makes the director tick as well as what he considers as good movies.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for providing a review copy.
Guillermo Del Toro, The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work, is a book that delves into the beginnings of Del Toro, his interests, and how he developed his aesthetic. It examines the movie's director's development, his missteps, and how he almost lost his sense of self thanks to the cutthroat environment of Hollywood.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK
I love how the author allowed space for the director's own words about his processes. I love reading Del Toro's words about what was going through his mind during the creation of his ideas.
The images in the book illuminate what kind of director Del Toro is. Being able to glimpse into a few pages of his actual notebook to see how he constructs his ideas in words and pictures was exciting.
DISLIKES
None
WHO IS THE BOOK FOR?
This is for Del Toro's fans, both newcomers and long-time admirers. It gives an insight into what makes the director tick as well as what he considers as good movies.
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for providing a review copy.
November 3, 2021
Guillermo del Toro by Ian Nathan is an attractive and insightful look at the life and career of the iconic filmmaker.
I have read several similar books from Ian Nathan and have been consistently pleased by the manner in which he presents his subjects. We get a nice chronology using the films as the chapter headings. In addition to the creative and logistic experiences associated with each film we get any of the stories that became gossip but without over sensationalizing them. They are certainly part of the story but we are spared the pure gossipy aspects. The real fun part is the interweaving of del Toro's life and career, we read about what he was doing in his personal life as well as what he was doing with his filmmaking career. The ways in which they speak to each other is where the real revelations come in.
This book is not only for the director's fans but for those who like to read about what goes into creating the films we see. From idea through to finished product we journey along with the director and the crew.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I have read several similar books from Ian Nathan and have been consistently pleased by the manner in which he presents his subjects. We get a nice chronology using the films as the chapter headings. In addition to the creative and logistic experiences associated with each film we get any of the stories that became gossip but without over sensationalizing them. They are certainly part of the story but we are spared the pure gossipy aspects. The real fun part is the interweaving of del Toro's life and career, we read about what he was doing in his personal life as well as what he was doing with his filmmaking career. The ways in which they speak to each other is where the real revelations come in.
This book is not only for the director's fans but for those who like to read about what goes into creating the films we see. From idea through to finished product we journey along with the director and the crew.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 7, 2022
If you are a huge fan of Del Toro, you probably already know about and have this book. It is full of wonderful information about what influenced him, his early film making experiences, his evolution within the entertainment industry, as well as going in depth with twelve of his movies (as either director, writer, or producer) with photos on every page. It is lovely to look at.
It is difficult to physical read, however, because of the small font size and where the text is placed. The text is laid out in column fashion (which I find so annoying to read by itself) with up to three columns per page. Most often it is black on white, but somethings it white on black text, which I find difficult to read. The font itself is smaller than it needs to be. A book with these many photos will be expensive, add in the box cover and that is more expense, but the additional pages needed to simple scale up the font just one level... it would have made it so much easier to read and I doubt would have added much expense. Come on, publishers. Think about your audience and their ability to read the books you put out.
If small font isn't a problem for you, I highly recommend the book.
It is difficult to physical read, however, because of the small font size and where the text is placed. The text is laid out in column fashion (which I find so annoying to read by itself) with up to three columns per page. Most often it is black on white, but somethings it white on black text, which I find difficult to read. The font itself is smaller than it needs to be. A book with these many photos will be expensive, add in the box cover and that is more expense, but the additional pages needed to simple scale up the font just one level... it would have made it so much easier to read and I doubt would have added much expense. Come on, publishers. Think about your audience and their ability to read the books you put out.
If small font isn't a problem for you, I highly recommend the book.
March 19, 2024
A surprisingly deep dive into the difficulties of filmmaking, showing that even directors as well known as Guillermo del Toro face challenges in Hollywood.
I have only ever read one other unofficial biography, and it left me greatly disappointed. The information in that book was mostly common knowledge, even for someone who wasn’t specifically interested in the celebrity. Ian Nathan however, clearly knows a lot about Guillermo del Toro; Either he is an exceptional researcher or a massive fan.
Not only is the writing well detailed, but the structuring of this book is perfect. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific film, but includes events which were happening in Guillermo’s personal life and how these events impacted the filmmaking process at that time. Also, the photo choices are great and are well representative of their accompanying chapters.
I do wonder whether this book would be interesting to non-cinephiles, because it does not shy away from duller aspects of production like budgeting, planning and dealing with stuffy executives. I’m very curious to read Nathan’s books about other directors, to see if they have the same level of detail.
I have only ever read one other unofficial biography, and it left me greatly disappointed. The information in that book was mostly common knowledge, even for someone who wasn’t specifically interested in the celebrity. Ian Nathan however, clearly knows a lot about Guillermo del Toro; Either he is an exceptional researcher or a massive fan.
Not only is the writing well detailed, but the structuring of this book is perfect. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific film, but includes events which were happening in Guillermo’s personal life and how these events impacted the filmmaking process at that time. Also, the photo choices are great and are well representative of their accompanying chapters.
I do wonder whether this book would be interesting to non-cinephiles, because it does not shy away from duller aspects of production like budgeting, planning and dealing with stuffy executives. I’m very curious to read Nathan’s books about other directors, to see if they have the same level of detail.
November 9, 2021
A brief but nonetheless substantial guide to the already-legendary director that's sure to provide information for both the uninitiated and those familiar on a secular scale.
Full immersion is easy here, as the presentation of the book pops with choice pictures and cleanly transitions into different entries/films.
As opposed to giving a written history on the man, Nathan seems to have just mined the best details, ones that directly give us a glimpse into the mindset of Del Toro before, during, and after production. What happens to a director between projects can often be just as interesting as the projects themselves, and Del Toro just might be the best modern example of that.
It's not going to cover literally everything he's ever done up until 2021 (producing credits, etc.) so those expecting it to be *that* extensive will find this work wanting; as for what it is--a comprehensive guide to understanding his features--it's a splendid, eye-opening read sure to enrich first-time or subsequent viewings.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the advance read.
Full immersion is easy here, as the presentation of the book pops with choice pictures and cleanly transitions into different entries/films.
As opposed to giving a written history on the man, Nathan seems to have just mined the best details, ones that directly give us a glimpse into the mindset of Del Toro before, during, and after production. What happens to a director between projects can often be just as interesting as the projects themselves, and Del Toro just might be the best modern example of that.
It's not going to cover literally everything he's ever done up until 2021 (producing credits, etc.) so those expecting it to be *that* extensive will find this work wanting; as for what it is--a comprehensive guide to understanding his features--it's a splendid, eye-opening read sure to enrich first-time or subsequent viewings.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the advance read.
January 31, 2022
Guillermo del toro by Ian Nathan.
Iconic Filmmakers Series.
In this book, acclaimed author Ian Nathan charts the progression of a career that has produced some of contemporary cinema’s most revered scenes and idiosyncratic characters. This detailed examination looks at how the strands of del Toro’s career have woven together to create one of modern cinema’s most ground-breaking bodies of work. Delving deep into del Toro's psyche, the book starts by examining his beginnings in Mexico, the creative but isolated child surrounded by ornate catholicism and monster magazines, filming stop motion battles between his toys on a Super-8 film camera. It follows him to film school, where we learn of his influences, from Kafka to Bunuel, and explores his 1993 debut Cronos, the independent horror debut which draws on the religious and occult themes which would recur throughout del Toro's work.
An ok read. Different. It wasn't what I thought 3*.
Iconic Filmmakers Series.
In this book, acclaimed author Ian Nathan charts the progression of a career that has produced some of contemporary cinema’s most revered scenes and idiosyncratic characters. This detailed examination looks at how the strands of del Toro’s career have woven together to create one of modern cinema’s most ground-breaking bodies of work. Delving deep into del Toro's psyche, the book starts by examining his beginnings in Mexico, the creative but isolated child surrounded by ornate catholicism and monster magazines, filming stop motion battles between his toys on a Super-8 film camera. It follows him to film school, where we learn of his influences, from Kafka to Bunuel, and explores his 1993 debut Cronos, the independent horror debut which draws on the religious and occult themes which would recur throughout del Toro's work.
An ok read. Different. It wasn't what I thought 3*.
June 14, 2024
As a fan of del Toro's work, I'm always intrigued on the behind the scenes and his thought process and this book delivered on that very same thing and I am so excited to have read this!
This is like a mini trove of delights of his movies, excerpts from interviews and articles to highlight del Toro's work as the write and director that is known but also the fan. He's as much in love with his work as the inspiration behind them and this book highlights some of that and I think, for an unofficial & unauthorized book, the author does a great job of collecting a lot of data that is probably common or known and mixes it with beautiful images from the various del Toro films and even some of the different inspirations that del Toro has mentioned.
Some things I knew about and others were extra details that enriched a favorite film or even made me think about a particular scene in a new light and I love that about this particular book.
This is like a mini trove of delights of his movies, excerpts from interviews and articles to highlight del Toro's work as the write and director that is known but also the fan. He's as much in love with his work as the inspiration behind them and this book highlights some of that and I think, for an unofficial & unauthorized book, the author does a great job of collecting a lot of data that is probably common or known and mixes it with beautiful images from the various del Toro films and even some of the different inspirations that del Toro has mentioned.
Some things I knew about and others were extra details that enriched a favorite film or even made me think about a particular scene in a new light and I love that about this particular book.
October 17, 2021
Guillermo del Toro is a book sure to delight any fan of the imaginative director. It opens with an overview of del Toro's early life, before launching into discussions of each of his major movies in chronological order, incorporating some wonderful movie stills and behind-the-scenes images, along with information on the background of each of the films. It is a pleasing, compact review of his life and body of work so far. If I have a single criticism it's that the book is too short; I would have liked even more detail on the motifs in his movies and his creative process for each. Overall, this book gets 4.5 stars from me. If you are a fan of del Toro's movies, or a film buff in general, you will find this book well worth a read.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2022
Having read Ian Nathan's book on Alien and owning a copy of his book on Peter Jackson, I was looking forward to his take on the history of one of the most visual directors we have working in the film industry. Fortunately, Guillermo del Toro is a fantastic companion to the director and his works. With a history of the director's work that breaks down all of his films and highlights the influences and processes del Toro has incorporated throughout his career, this book can not be recommended enough to fans and general film fans alike. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book
December 13, 2021
A great reminder of the many reasons I love Guillermo del Toro's work (and Guillermo del Toro) - and yet an eye-opener for the next time I'll rewatch Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth, Blade II, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water. This is an extremely informative look behind the scenes, but I most appreciated Nathan's excursions into the psychology behind each film. Being a creator myself, nothing fascinates me more than analysing media visuals for deeper meaning, ties to the artist's own life, for repeating motifs that musty mean something more to them. It makes me look at my own art with more depth and helps me realize what's truly meaningful to myself.
Considering del Toro's notebooks and penchant for aesthetics, I had hoped for more concept art and insights into his idea development, but Nathan chose to go for a less cineastic and more production-based biography, which is fair. I can keep scouring the internet for more Prince Nuada concept sketches by myself.
***I received a digital copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***
Considering del Toro's notebooks and penchant for aesthetics, I had hoped for more concept art and insights into his idea development, but Nathan chose to go for a less cineastic and more production-based biography, which is fair. I can keep scouring the internet for more Prince Nuada concept sketches by myself.
***I received a digital copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***
October 28, 2021
This is the perfect book for someone who is a fan of film or a fan of Guillermo Del Toro. It is written in a form of timeline that lets you into the life and the movies Guillermo Del Toro has directed. You get a behind-the-scenes look at what took place as a movie was being made, the thought process, it's intricacies, the idea, it's very well written. Ian Nathan does a wonderful job in asking the right questions and research to bring any film buff something to discuss and learn about.
October 29, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Guillermo del Toro by Ian Nathan in exchange for an honest review. I have watched del Toro's movies for many years, from Pan's Labyrinth to Hellboy and Mama. I have never seen Cronos, but after reading this behind the scenes of the director, I am going to. I also have an urge to watch Mimic again. I loved finding out more about del Toro and how he got into the business and became friends with Ron Perlman.
December 19, 2021
What a beautiful and interesting book about Guillermo del Toro and his work. I read all his books and I could still find new information in this great art book. It's filled with beautiful images and stories about Guillermo del Toro's work and what he had to go through to create his masterworks. It's a fantastic book for fans but I'm certain that cinephiles would enjoy it just as much. Thank you!
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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