Read the STOP SMILING interview excerpt with filmmaker Terry GilliamTHE OUTSIDERBy JC Gabel(This interview originally appeared in STOP SMILING The Auteur Issue)Terry Gilliam, the director of such films as Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) and Tideland (2006), spoke to STOP SMILING about growing up in the Midwest, retreating to England and escaping into his imagination.Stop Smiling: When you were a kid were you a big fan of radio dramas?Terry Gilliam: I lov...

If Terry Gilliam were handed a blank check, final cut, and total freedom to cast, film, and market his next film, he'd still find someone to complain about or cast blame upon. He cannot create without some conflict along the way, and very seldom does he single himself out as the root of his problems. However, he tells a rowdy good behind-the-scenes story and seems to be great company. I would just never invest in his movies. No good deed goes unpunished by Gilliam.

Not a movie watcher, I was still absorbed by references (annotated), philosophies, politics, and logistics of directing. I liked the insight of the first person narrative. Now I wanta see 'em, the courageous visuals and sound of a fabulist, "the creator of an imaginedworld, especially one in which the natural and supernatural touch."

"If it's going to be expensive, it's got to be mindless; and if it's going to be thought-provoking, it's got to be cheap."-Terry GilliamBefore I say anymore, this is one of the best books I've ever read about film making, the evolution of a unique artist's mind, his creative process, his resourcefulness, and the crazy ways of the Hollywood industry.Page after page, the humor, wisdom, and litany of quotable quotes come fast and furious. After reading this, my respect for Terry Gilliam has shot up...

For a long time I've been collecting books from "Directors on Directors" serie and (don't take this as a commercial ad) Abebooks was a great find for me. Even being in states I've found only Lynch on Lynch,when on Abereads I ordered dozen of books from the serie for $1 each... OMG!!! Three of them already arrived (in 2 weeks all the way across Atlantic ocean and Europe): Gilliam on Gilliam, Kislewski on Kislewski and Scorsese on Scorsese.I absolutely love early Gilliam films. Obviously Holy Grai...

Quite enjoyable! The interviews in this book cover Gilliam's childhood up through the release of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. He provides some insight into his creative process and working methods. The Python years aren't covered in detail, but there are plenty of other books for that. Given how many years it's been since this book was published, perhaps we're about due for Gilliam On Gilliam 2? All in all, a very fun book, well worth reading for Gilliam fans and film buffs in general.

Since Brazil is one of my favorite movies, I wanted to find out more about it. I didn't want to read about how Kim Griest wasn't a good enough actress to play Jill, and that her role was reduced because of it.Basically, this is a terrible book to read if you want to enjoy the Gilliam movies as movies.It does say, though, that the version of "Brazil" in the movie is by Geoff Muldaur, from the album "Cottage Pie."

For some ungodly reason this book is out of print, but I was lucky enough to have a copy come through the store when I was working one day. I've often said that if I suddenly became wealthy my first act would be to give Gilliam carte blanche on his next project. Though realistically my first act would be to pay off my unglamourous debts, this book goes a long way towards illustrating why I so love this man.

"Suddenly with Paths of Glory there was a movie that was about something; about injustice, with themes and ideas, and the good guys didn’t win in the end . . . that film completely changed me and I went around trying to get everybody I knew to see it. [My goal was to] use the system to reach as many people as possible . . . I’m at the front of the queue, trying to inundate people. People are always saying I should do theater, but I’m hooked on films because I can reach so many more people . . .

Everything you wanted to know about Gilliam but was afraid to ask but ummm it's not as thorough and is a bit lazy in places but it's a good place to start if you don't have a clue about Gilliam's background.

Poor poor Terry. The disaster that has become Parnaus made me get this back down and read through it. As I can only imagine he's spent the last week locked in a room screaming despite the heavy sedation, I feel even sorrier for the poor bastard then I usually do. He has such good ideas, and his attention to detail is astounding, some of his rough pre production illustrations are exactly as they appear in his films. He's a true visionary and its a shame that the American film industry is too smal...

15/20.

Great series of interview with Gilliam, conducted after filming of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, that cover his childhood up to that film. Even though I knew a fair amount about his Python work and his films of that period from documentaries and commentary tracks, there were still many great insights and stories revealed here, and I gained new perspectives on some aspects of my favorite of his films. Highly recommended to any Gilliam fan.

Finally. Not that the book was boring, rather timing was inappropriate. Well, also, the author's career is twice as long as my whole life, so I physically couldn't witness all of his works - so the further I read, the more interesting it got. Funny, informative, outlook-expanding.

simply put this is a fanboys dream, I especially liked how honestly they portrayed HST & Robert Deniro.

Engaging book about auteur filmmaker, excited for his craft and art. 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" would have been longer, had movie not been tainted as flop. Only reservation was book was cursory, did not go into in-depth analysis about films. Gilliam's enthusiasm comes off pages.

Terry Gilliam is kind of a mad man, if that isn’t evident through his films. No matter if you love him or hate him, you have to respect the fact that he makes the movies HE wants to make. It was fascinating to hear his process and I think I’m gonna binge his filmography.

Fantastic peek inside a creative, original mind. Makes me want to watch all his movies over again.