ED WOOD

DVD (2006)

The film 'Ed Wood', released in 1994 is a biopic directed by Tim Burton, and starring Johnny Depp as cult filmmaker Edward D. Wood, Jr.

The film covers Wood's life when he made his best-known films as well as his relationship with actor Béla Lugosi, played by Martin Landau.
This film plays homage to the low-budget sci-fi and horror films of Tim Burton's childhood.

The story was based on a novel by Rudolf Grey, "Nightmare of Ecstasy", and the screenplay was written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszowski.

When it was released in 1994, it was a box office flop, but it has since become known as one of Burton's better - if not best, films.

From the terrific use of black and white to the startling performances, I think that this is one of the best of Burton's film.

He never darkens the film or subject matter for the sake of doing it the real and he produces a fine comedy that has more than a few genuinely touching moments.

JUST WHO WAS ED WOOD?

"If you want to know me, see 'Glen or Glenda'. That's me, that's my story, no question. But 'Plan 9' is my pride and joy. We used Cadillac hubcaps for flying saucers in that."
Ed Wood

Edward D Wood Jr was voted the worst director of all time.
He was a screenwriter, director, producer, actor, author, and editor.

Born in 1924, his mother Lillian, who had always always wanted a girl, would sometimes, until he was about 12 years-old, dress him in skirts and dresses.
For the rest of his life, Wood was a heterosexual transvestite.

Ed Wood's films were all characterized by a lack of talent and substandard production values.

Perhaps it is not surprising that his work was submitted under more than one alias. The names included Edward Davis, Flint Holloway and Ana Gora.

Wood was a big fan of Lugosi Béla, a Hungarian actor of stage and screen, who was well known for playing Dracula on Broadway.
When Wood found him living in obscurity and near-poverty he offered him roles in his films, such as Glen or Glenda and

as a Dr. Frankenstein-like mad scientist in Bride of the Monster.

In his later years Ed Wood directed porn films, and died penniless at 54 of a heart attack.

He married Kathy, portrayed by Patricia Arquette in this film, and stayed married to her until his death.

It was after his death that Wood acquired a cult status. In 1980 Michael and Harry Medved's book, The Golden Turkey Awards crowned Wood the worst director of all time. Later Plan 9 was awarded the Worst Movie prize

THE PLOT

The film begins with a fantastic and highly original credit sequences, where all the cast members' names appear on tombstones.

Wood, who is at the time, a playwright, studio hand and would-be filmmaker (played wonderfully by the talented Mr Depp), is then heard saying, "Orson Welles was only 26 when he made 'Citizen Kane' and I'm already 30,"

We are then introduced to the protagonist - a man of endless energy and ambition, though unfortunately, not much talent or great intelligence. And he has a singular idiosyncrasy in his personality.

He likes wearing women's clothing.

When Ed hears that a film is to be made from a news story about a sex change operation, he offers his services as director, citing his own empathy for women's clothing.

He directed and starred in 'Glen or Glendora' (acting under the name Daniel Davis)

His friendship with the Hungarian, Bela Legosi, and the insight into Legosi's tragic decaying personality, with his known drug addiction and odd habits and mannerisms is a major part of this film. Legosi (Martin Landau) is both funny and sad, and ultimately the real star of this film.

This is a funny film as we watch while Ed Wood wheedles finances, changes plots and manages to get backers which include a Baptist church and a butcher.

On top of that we watch him assemble a wacky group of oddballs for his cast (and friends) from all sorts of bizarre places.

The film shows Wood's life, and friendship with Legosi, through the three films ' Glen or Glenda', 'Bride of the Monster' and Wood's worst film ever, 'Plan 9 From Outer Space'.

Almost incidental to the plot, is Ed Wood's transvestism (especially his love of angora!!), which surfaces whenever he gets stressed.
And in spite of all of this, there is a love story.

Now just what more could you ask for?

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Stefan Czapsky, who frequently joins forces with Burton in his films, did the camera work.

It is filmed completely in Black and White, another tribute to the era it imitates. Czapsky managed to imitate the rediculously poor lighting of Wood's films while still shooting a beautiful looking flm.

There is none of Burton's fantasy type themes in this film, although the haunted house in the prologue has a nice spooky, gothic, Burtonesque design.

Throughout the film Burton's attention to 1950's detail is outstanding, especially in the restoration of Wood's original sets.

I thought that the most brilliantly filmed scene in the film is when we are introduced to Legosi's drug habit, all in shadows on a curtain.

MUSIC

Ed Wood was the first of Burton's films not to feature a score by Danny Elfman. The musical score for this film was created by Howard Shore
It is an imaginative nostalgic and interesting score, especially the Legosi theme, which even sounds a little Hungarian, a tribute to the actor.

CAST AND PERFORMANCES

Johnny Depp, as Edward D Wood Jr

Can this man do anything wrong?

Depp managed to make Wood's character almost mad, yet also sincere and likable.
The gleeful optimism was wonderful for a man who when told by an executive of the film company that his film was the worst one he ever saw, replied "Really?" with typical enthusiasm. "Well, my next one will be better."

Depp also manages to show a more human side in some of the quieter scenes with Legosi.

Martin Landau, as Bela Legosi

This performance earned Landau his first Academy Award, although he had had two previous Oscar nominations.

He managed to bring the character to life in a way that borders on phenomenal. He shows us a friendly, sometimes quite cynical and nasty Hollywood legend, with an extreme hatred for Boris Karloff, in one of the film's ongoing gags.
Despite looking nothing like Lugosi, Landau managed to totally transform himself into the aged Hungarian actor down on his luck.
This transformation was due in part to the wonderful make up by Rick Baker.

Sarah Jessica Parker, as Delores Fuller

She plays a spirited, not too attractive woman, who goes from being a friend to a foe. Her frustration and pain are all too obvious, as they were probably in the character that she represents. It was a good performance.

Patricia Arquette, as Kathy O'Hara

This is an interesting role of a supportive and dedicated girlfriend, who has all the nurturing characteristics that Delores lacks.

Vincent D'Onofrio, as Orson Welles

This was only a brief appearance, and was actually fictional.

Welles had been a hero to Woods, and his idol. When he chances upon him in a bar, Welles is dealing with his own well-known frustrations at the film industry. The voice was a blend of his and another's voice, and he certainly looks and sounds exactly like Orson Welles.

Bill Murray, as John "Bunny" Breckenridge

Bill Murray played Wood's gay friend fantastically.

This character was so funny, and one of my favourite characters in the film.

He keeps talking about a sex change operation that he never actually has.
As an actor he was portrayed to be completely
His character integrated so seamlessly with the rest of the cast, he is fantastically droll, and also has the e best line in the movie. That line is the word "Sure." - watch the film to see what I mean!

Lisa Marie, as Vampira

This model turned actress was dating Burton at the time, and her character is pretty interesting, although flat and without a living personality.

(And many others)

DVD

DETAILS

· Format: Black & White, PAL, Wide screen
· Language English
· Region: Region 2
· Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
· Number of discs: 1
· Classification: 15
· Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
· DVD Release Date: 15 Jun 2006
· Run Time: 121 minutes
· ASIN: B00006JI3R
·

SPECIAL FEATURES

The DVD shows the original Theatrical Trailer

It also has a 'Pie Plates Over Hollywood ' feature where the -- production designer, Tom Duffield, shares his insights on realizing the offbeat world of Ed Wood.

There are some deleted scenes from the film, including Bill Murray singing "Que Sera Sera" in a meat locker.

Original Music Video Co-Directed By Tim Burton And Choreographer Toni Basil, With Music By Composer Howard Shore

Also a 'Let's Shoot This F****r!' feature with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton behind the scenes of shooting the film.

The Theremin feature shows how this odd instrument was used to make the film's score.

'When Carol Met Larry ' shows some more cross dressers.

Make-Up Featurette Making Bela

IN CONCLUSION

This is a marvellous biopic and shows both Depp's and Burton's indubitable talent in a new light.

The film is both very moving but also hysterically funny.
Tim Burton is always at his best when portraying outsiders and oddballs; he manages to give them an underlying dignity. In this, Ed Wood is no exception - not only in the case of Ed himself but also with Lugosi, a former star who - for all his addictions - retains both a pride and dignity in a city that no longer cares about him.

It was actually Landau's Legusi that left me feeling deeply moved after watching the film; his portrayal of that aging, sad Hungarian fallen star will always be the thing I remember this film for.

This could well be one of the best films of all time about one of the worst filmmakers of all time.

Summary: Oh and don't miss the closing credtis!!!!