Ed Wood (1994)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Tim Burton

Writers (WGA):

Rudolph Grey (book)
Scott Alexander (written by) ...

Release Date:

28 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Movies were his passion. Women were his inspiration. Angora sweaters were his weakness.

Plot:

The mostly true story of the legendary director of awful movies and his strange group of friends and actors.

Plot Keywords:

Director | Friend | Transvestism | Friendship | Sex Change

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Ed Wood
Martin Landau	...	Bela Lugosi
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Dolores Fuller
Patricia Arquette	...	Kathy O'Hara
Jeffrey Jones	...	Criswell
G.D. Spradlin	...	Reverend Lemon
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Orson Welles
Bill Murray	...	Bunny Breckinridge
Mike Starr	...	Georgie Weiss
Max Casella	...	Paul Marco
Brent Hinkley	...	Conrad Brooks
Lisa Marie	...	Vampira
George 'The Animal' Steele	...	Tor Johnson
Juliet Landau	...	Loretta King
Clive Rosengren	...	Ed Reynolds

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong language.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Ontario) | Singapore:NC-16 (cut) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Israel:PG | Netherlands:MG6 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Norway:11

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

In the early scene in which Ed Wood and his friends look at the review of his play (this is the scene in which he enthusiastically says, "Look, he's got some nice things to say here. 'The soldiers' costumes are very realistic.' That's positive!"), they are looking at a newspaper review in the "Los Angeles Register," at a column entitled "The Theatrical Life by Victor Crowley." The opening paragraphs read: "World War II, a time for brave men with 'guts,' forms the backdrop for 'The Casual Company,' which opened last night in Hollywood. Let me tell you this is definitely a play about 'guts.' It certainly took 'guts' to stage this disappointment. Penned by one Edward D. Wood, Jr., who also has the 'guts' to take credit for directing this foxhole piece, 'The Casual Company' takes place on a barn stage with only rudimentary lighting. ..." Wood really did produce this play, which was based on some of his experiences in the Marines, and which really was a flop.

Goofs:

Continuity: Dolores' hair is shorter and in a different style when she runs out of the wrap party.

Quotes:

[while he and the others flee the chaotic premiere of "Bride of the Monster" in a cab]
Bela Lugosi: Now that was a premiere.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Making Bela (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

NAUTCH DANCE

"Why, I thought he was dead."

Although I had never heard of Ed Wood before hearing of this film, I now understand why anybody would even consider making a film about him. Even though branded as "the worst director of all time," Wood was refreshingly passionate about what he did. Of course, I can't really judge his work, but from what I saw in this movie I'm pretty sure that the critics are right about him.

But that's not the point of Ed Wood. Not at all. My favorite scene in the whole movie is the conversation between Wood and Orson Welles. One perhaps the best filmmaker of his time, the other a young, struggling filmmaker without experience or talent, but each knows what the other is going through. They have the same problems and the same ambitions. The fact that one is a genius and the other a total failure is only secondary.

The performances are all first-rate, starting with Depp and Landau and going all the way to the supporting cast which includes a great performance by Bill Murray. Opposing Ed Wood's statement that "filmmaking is not about the tiny details," Tim Burton gave us another great film filled with wonderful details.

The film does not go into detail about Wood's experiences prior to and after making his first films which is understandable when you make a little research on this very website.

This film made me curious about Ed Wood's work and maybe I'll get over myself and check out Plan 9 from Outer Space or Glen or Glenda.

8.5/10