[Laurence Raw] The Ridley Scott Encyclopedia (pdf){Zzzzz}

From his first feature film, The Duellists, to his international successes Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and American Gangster, Ridley Scott has directed some of the most compelling films of the last 30 years. Apart from his work as a film director, Scott has engaged in a vast range of activities, including that as a designer, producer, film mogul, and advertising executive. The Ridley Scott Encyclopedia is the first book that focuses on all aspects of his work in a wide-ranging career that spans nearly 50 years.

The entries in this encyclopedia focus on all aspects of his work and are divided into four categories. The first focuses on Ridley Scott's work as a director, encompassing his feature films from The Duellists to Body of Lies, as well as his work in television, including commercials. The second category focuses on the people who have been involved in Scott's projects, including actors, directors, producers, designers, writers and other creative personnel. The third focuses on general thematic issues raised in Scott's work, such as gender construction, political issues, and geographical locations. Finally the encyclopedia incorporates entries on films by other directors who have influenced Scott's approach to his work as a director or producer. Each entry is followed by a bibliography of published sources, both in print and online, making this the most comprehensive reference on Scott's body of work.

Publisher: Scarecrow Press (September 28, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0810869519
ISBN-13: 978-0810869516

From Booklist
This encyclopedia focuses on the work of the director of Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and other films. Author Raw also devotes space to Scott’s work as a designer, producer, and advertising executive, addressing all aspects of his work throughout his career. Entries cover not only Scott’s films but also the people involved in his projects, themes, and films influencing Scott’s work. Most entries conclude with a bibliography; some entries include detailed lists of references as well. There is no cross-referencing between entries, although the index helps to fill the gap. Carefully researched and documented, this encyclopedia is intended more for the researcher than the fan. The lack of photographs or other visuals diminishes the appeal for the general user. Suitable for libraries with extensive film collections. --Sara Marcus

Review
Carefully researched and documented, this encyclopedia is intended more for the researcher than the fan....Suitable for libraries with extensive film collections. (Booklist 2010-01-01)

Raw has achieved a breadth and depth to the work that would be the envy of many other reference works sitting on the same shelf. As mentioned, Raw suggested that writing this book was most enjoyable. It is a pleasure to admit that reading and browsing the volume is equally enjoyable. Scarecrow Press has done it again, keeping the crows away from the fields of rich, succulent, detailed works of reference. This is not an inexpensive addition to stock, but I would argue an essential one for anyone wishing to add value to their reference collection. The breadth of content elevates the book beyond just another volume about Ridley Scott. As such, the books in the 791.43s should, quite frankly, move over and make room.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Great Scott! Why Has This Book Been Ignored?
By Emily Welsh on August 16, 2010
I am amazed that such a book as this one on Ridley Scott, a major player who has directed Films that Matter, including several cult hits, has not inspired reviews to note its accomplishments. This Raw treatment is anything but "raw." It is surely ambitious in its attempt to cover a long and productive career, struck in cinema, then extended to television through the "Scott free" enterprise with Ridley's brother Tony (who has been productive enough to deserve his own book, but who is of necessity included here for the time being).
The trick to such an "encyclopedic" approach is not so much to know where to begin, but where to stop. Should Gordon Matthew Sumner of Wallsend, Northumberland, be included, for example--better known as "Sting," who sings the title song for SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (1987) and who provided the music for WHITE SQUALL (1996)? Or how about Evangelos Odysseus Papathanssiou, better known as "Vangelis," whose layered music graced the dystopian BLADE RUNNER (1982)? Does the $200 million fiasco WATERWORLD (1995) deserve an entry because it was directed by Kevin Reynolds, who would later direct TRISTAN + ISOLDE in 2005 for Scott? With regard to influence, entries tend to become even more wildly allusive: Did TRIUMPH OF THE WILL influence GLADIATOR? Did THE THIRD MAN's noir style influence THE COMPANY? Even so, such entries will probably be of interest to Scott's fans. With regard to TV, the book offers much detail about such programmes as NUMB3RS, including a breakdown of episodes, complete through Series 4 (as of May of 2008).