Superb bio of the famous director, perhaps McGilligan’s masterpiece, well-written, brilliantly-researched. He’s got a great protagonist in Lang, the brilliant director who could also be one of the biggest pricks around – bullying cast, crew and executives – while still being gentlemanly and charming; he practically invented the cliché of the mad German artistic type, with his monocle and manner, but could also be capable of great kindness and courtesy.
Lang was one of those people who just when you’re prepared to write them off as awful will do something nice – but just when you start liking them they’ll do something obnoxious. Bad with producers, surprisingly good with writers, up and down with cast, elegant with women – he possibly murdered his first wife, left his second (who became a Nazi), made a series of masterpieces in Germany (silent and sound), France and Germany. Absolutely recommended.
Lang was one of those people who just when you’re prepared to write them off as awful will do something nice – but just when you start liking them they’ll do something obnoxious. Bad with producers, surprisingly good with writers, up and down with cast, elegant with women – he possibly murdered his first wife, left his second (who became a Nazi), made a series of masterpieces in Germany (silent and sound), France and Germany. Absolutely recommended.
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