Paul Verhoeven

by Douglas Keesey, Paul Duncan (Editor)

Known for always pushing the envelope when it comes to showing sex and violence on screen, Paul Verhoeven has directed controversial films in several genres, including the erotic thriller (Basic Instinct), melodrama (Showgirls) and science fiction (RoboCop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers, Hollow Man). However, even before going to Hollywood, Verhoeven had been a succ's de scandale in his native Netherlands, where he directed a war saga (Soldier of Orange), a medieval epic (Flesh+Blood), a psychosexual thriller (The Fourth Man) and a sex comedy (Turkish Delight, which was voted Best Dutch Film of the Century at the Netherlands Film Festival). Verhoeven has shown that visceral thrills can be thought provoking, challenging our received notions of heroism, patriotism, and eroticism. He has created some of the most courageous and contentious films of recent years. Made with full access to Paul Verhoeven's archives!

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2005

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a Verhoeven fan, you'll really get a kick out of this book. A solid critical analysis of the Dutch director and his films, all captured with a terrific range of photos. Only seen a few of his films and my impression of them has generally been very mixed.*
Without trying to appear elitist, just a bit puzzled why Taschen included this lower-case filmmaker in their excellent series of classic film director studies - hardly in the same league as the others: Ford, Hitchcock, Fellini, Truffaut, Wilder, Antonioni, Bunuel and Polanski.
* A notable exception: the excellent 2015 Isabelle Huppert starrer 'Elle.'

[ms1v · Rating 2 out of 5]

It feels like the editors removed "- from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" from the end of this book's title. There's not much to it, mostly stills and behind the scenes photos, which is nice, but it's mostly a summary of Verhoeven's movies in chronological order. There isn't much insight gained into the actual production or themes of the movies themselves. It's all very surface-level insight, a few hit moments from each film. The production photos show off neat special effects and the photocopies of script pages are the reason this gets two stars.

[mzmsary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though as awesome as they are, the pictures that filled this book should have been replaced by more analysis and critique about Verhoeven's fillmaking,themes,overall philosophy. They also make the book quite an easy read. But still it is a must-read for fans of the director such as myself,considering there is not many books on Verhoeven. Any movie buff who has a fond spot for some of his movies would enjoy learning more about other ventures of his long and eclectic career too. Also, it compels you to watch one more time those timeless classics Robocop, Starship Troopers and Total Recall. Man, what a filmograpy

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brief biographical info and plot summary of Verhoeven's films, mostly focusing on his depictions of sex and violence. The analysis is pretty superficial, and the writing (or perhaps a bad translation?) is quite bad. Like all Taschen books, it's inexpensive and beautiful, but unfortunately this one is lacking in substance.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never has a book made me think so deeply about the artistry of Showgirls.