Details
Movie Description
A stranger-than-fiction true story of the early career of Edward D. Wood, Jr., the undisputed "worst movie director of all time," Tim Burton's ED WOOD is nevertheless a delightful, zany, and ultimately moving film. Wood was the auteur behind GLEN OR GLENDA? (1953) and PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959), and it is during the making of these two no-budget flicks that Wood is profiled. His friendship with the aging, drug-addicted, former film star Bela Lugosi--who he cast in his movies--is one of the most poignant characters ever portrayed on film. Wood had an infectious enthusiasm which inspired his cohorts, including transsexual wannabe Bunny (Bill Murray), the psychic Criswell (Jeffrey Jones), and behemoth wrestler Tor Johnson (George "The Animal" Steele). To a large extent, ED WOOD celebrates bad filmmaking raised to the level of a fine art form. With his fetishistic style of dressing in for pumps, narrow skirts and angora sweaters, Ed Wood was as much of an outsider as his actors. Perhaps the final irony is that ED WOOD may be one of the best films of all time about one of the worst filmmakers of all time.
Synopsis
The comic highlight of Tim Burton's ED WOOD is a scene featuring a stuffed octopus that Wood used as a prop. Since he didn't have the necessary motor, Bela Lugosi threw his body down upon the puppet and, in an attempt to create the illusion of mobility, wrapped the creature's limbs about his torso.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: September 28, 1994.
Martin Landau won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi.
PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE never did play at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre to a receptive audience; today it's widely cited as one of the worst films ever made.
In real life, Wood languished in obscurity, his devoted wife Kathy at his side, until his death in 1978. A few years later, a cult following sprang up around his work.
Tim Burton received the Maui Film Festival's Silversmith Award in 2000 (the festival's first year), citing his "imagination and creativity in film making."
The comic highlight of Tim Burton's ED WOOD is a scene featuring a stuffed octopus that Wood used as a prop. Since he didn't have the necessary motor, Bela Lugosi threw his body down upon the puppet and, in an attempt to create the illusion of mobility, wrapped the creature's limbs about his torso.
Industry Reviews
Ranked #5 in Entertainment Weekly's "10 Favorite Films of the '90s" - "...[Burton's] finest film....Sublime and touching..."
Gleiberman
"...Burton's very good film about a very bad film maker....[Depp] gives a witty and captivating performance, bringing wonderful buoyancy to this crazy role..."
Maslin
"...Deft enough to satisfy high-culture and low-culture aficionados alike..."
Film Comment - Robert Horton (11/01/1994)
"...ED WOOD is Burton's most successful piece of proper storytelling....The cast is perfect down to the walk-ons..."
Sight and Sound - Kim Newman (05/01/1995)
"...Lugosi gives Landau the opportunity for a wonderfully rousing yet poignant performance..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (09/28/1994)
"Burton's sweet, sad, warmly funny paean to Hollywood's old ghosts."
Total Film - Total Film Staff (07/01/2006)
Quotations
"I'm the first celebrity that ever checked into rehab." Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi
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