Reviews

This is the U.S. edition of a superb biography of the late British film director, best known for Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and A Passage to India. Brownlow (Behind the Mask of Innocence, LJ 10/15/90) started the work as interviews with Lean to assist the latter in writing his autobiography, but Lean's death turned the book into an authorized biography. The author relies heavily on interviews with and recollections of Lean's co-workers and relations, but the emphasis is on the films, especially the epics that made Lean famous. Brownlow makes no attempt to hide evidence of the less appealing attributes of the director's nature, however. To call him an indifferent father to his only child would be kind, and he treated the majority of his wives abominably. Though somewhat lengthy, this piece is never dull or dry. Lavishly illustrated, this will probably number among the best film biographies of the year; highly recommended for public libraries and subject collections.‘Marianne Cawley, Enoch Pratt Free Lib., Baltimore