I'm curious to hear some recommendations for good books on film, film history, and the 'great' directors. I did a search here and in the book forum and came up with nothing that really offers general suggestions...i hope this can stay in movie talk rather than the book forum in order to hear more input.

I'm particularly interested in "classics" so to speak, as well as Westerns and French filmdom (nice combo eh? ). For instance, i've looked at a few titles on Bunuel, but couldn't decide where to start...My Last Sigh...Objects of Desire....The Discreet Art of Luis Bunuel....Luis Bunuel (by Raymond Durgnat)....and the upcoming Luis Bunuel: New Readings....

Any good reads on John Ford, Howard Hawks or some other big names in westerns?

What are the better books you've read in the genre?

Since you're into Bunuel, I recommend "Weirdsville U.S.A.: The Obsessive Universe of David Lynch".

Who the Devil Made It Interviews with Directors conducted by Peter Bogdonavich - Awesome Book!!!

Something to do with Death Sergio Leone biography.

Making Movies Sidney Lumet

Citizen Welles: A Biography of Orson Welles ~~ Frank Brady

Stanley Kubrick: A Biography ~~ Vincent Lobrutto

Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema ~~ Jeffrey Vance

I'd recommend Peter Bogdanovich's Orson Welles biography over Bradys.

Agitator - The Cinema of Takashi Miike ~ Tom Meas

I recommend the hardcover

I second that. It is a very interesting read albeit a bit biased.

General books on film history:

A History of Narrative Film - David Cook
Film History: An Introduction - Kristin Thompson & David Bordwell

There's a series of books published by faber that deal with specific directors. I have the ones on or by Fassbinder, Scorsese, Wenders, and Gilliam. I also have an excellent book on Ford, but I don't remember the author. I'll check when I get home.

For some of the books I own, I have multiple copies, where I bought newer editions as they came out. Email me and maybe we can work out a deal or something.

Bunuel fans should definitely get "My Last Sigh", "An Unspeakable Betrayal", and "Luis Bunuel: 100 Years - It is Dangerous to Look Inside". The last one is a photographic history of Bunuel's life and career, with an especially cool section on his cinematic "obsessions". Very highly recommended. One of my favorite books, period.

"Moviemakers' Master Class: Private Lessons from the World's Foremost Directors" is worth checking out. It's a collection of interviews with contemporary directors focusing on the technical aspects of directing.

Guy Maddin's "From the Atelier Tovar: Selected Writings" and "Kino Delirium: The Films of Guy Maddin" are a lot of fun.

Just thought I'd add that I recently read "Love is Colder than Death" based on a recommendation and really enjoyed it. it's a biopic of Fassbinder and really gets down to the nitty-gritty of his life and work....good stuff.

I'll also have to track down the 100 years Bunuel book...sounds great....

I'm reading "The Emperor and the Wolf" a biography on Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune. Its excellent while going into detail about the films by the two it also describes the history of Japanese cinema and touches a little here and there on Ozu as well.

One of my favorites (Very long! But a quick read). The author writes for this site too!

As said by wendersfan: A History of Narrative Film and Film History: An Introduction are excellent on film in general.

started reading

Down and Dirty Pictures : Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film by Peter Biskind. Biskind's writing can get somewhat long winded, but it's a fascinating read.

also recommended:

Rebel Without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player by Robert Rodriguez

American Film Institute Desk Reference: The Complete Guide to Everything You Need to Know about the Movies by Melinda Corey

Time Out Film Guides are essential

Losing the Light : Terry Gilliam and the Munchausen Saga by Andrew Yule

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