- Paperback: 314 pages
- Publisher: Virgin Books; New edition edition (5 Jul 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753505193
- ISBN-13: 978-0753505199
-
Product Dimensions:
19.3 x 13 x 2.5 cm
Product Description
In May 1999, after a 40-year career including 100 films, Oliver Reed
died, as he had invariably, lived, drinking with friends while making
another film - his well-reviewed performance in the blockbuster
Gladiator. Having risen through Hammer Horror films to international
stardom as Bill Sykes in Oliver!, Reed became, in his own works, 'the
biggest star this country has got'. With his legendary off-screen
exploits and blunt opinions - especially of his co-stars - he was also
on the most infamous. Bestselling author Cliff Goodwin uses material
from first-hand interviews with Reed's family, friends and colleagues
and never before seen photographs to explore Reed's eventful career.
but he also reveals another side to this unique and complex man.
From the Publisher
'I'm the biggest star this country has got,' Oliver Reed once claimed.
'Destroy me and you destroy the whole British film industry.' But
Oliver Reed did not need anyone to destroy him as, in May 1999, after a
forty-year acting career which included 100 films, he succeeded in
destroying himself. He died, as he had invariably lived, drinking with
friends while making yet another film.
Born
in Wimbledon, London, Reed rose to international stardom with his
powerful performance as Bill Sykes in the 1968 musical Oliver! He was
seen as one of the brightest prospects of the British film industry
and, by the late 60s, he was Britain's highest-paid star. However, his
later career became overshadowed by his reputation for drunken
behaviour.
Reed's career was full of characteristic firsts: in
1969 he starred in Women in Love, the first English-speaking commercial
film to feature full-frontal male nudity; in 1967 he starred in I'll
Never Forget What's 'Is Name, the first film to feature the word
'f**k'; and in 1972 he starred in Sitting Target, the first British
film to receive an X rating purely for its violent content.
Throughout
his eventful and colourful career, Reed worked with some of the most
famous names in the film industry from Bette Davis to Raquel Welch. His
opinions were expressed bluntly, his exploits are legendary, but
bestselling author Cliff Goodwin also explores the other side to this
complex character.
Unique, compelling and insightful, Evil
Spirits contains material from first-hand interviews with Reed's
family, friends and colleagues, and features never-before-seen
photographs from the family album. This is the fascinating story of one
of the UK's most infamous stars.
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Book is in good condition. Some wear and tear on the top and bottom of the spine but otherwise in good condition. This book is unread.
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