AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'STARS AND WARS: THE FILM MEMOIRS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALAN TOMKINS'

We've all got photo albums packed with memories to treasure, but surly none could be as exciting, exotic and world travelled, nor as memorably diverse, as those held in the collection of top British Art Director Alan Tomkins, his pre-retirement working CV a veritable goldmine of some of the most iconic and successful blockbusters ever made, across all types of genres over the last fifty years. His new book from THE HISTORY PRESS, Stars and Wars, is a lovely assemblage of those rare on-set photos and Polaroids he'd take over the years, coming alive alongside his unique behind the scenes memories revealing his major, often understated, contributions to the films that we never tire of watching, blessed with a rare talent that would go on to impress and wow legendary filmmakers like Oliver Stone (who, despite his seemingly gruff exterior in the media, gives a genuinely warm-hearted and pleasing introduction to this book), the ultimate Kid-ult that is Steven Spielberg, and the late, great John Huston.

This warm-hearted trip down memory lane includes so many great movie adventures and so many practical challenges for the rising star of the UK Art Department world to overcome and make his mark on- from getting his big break as a junior at the original ABPC Elstree Studios in London then making his way up through hard work, lots of luck and assembling a very strong list of contacts and friends that would prove invaluable in the years to come, primarily launched via the experiences of David Lean's spirited desert adventure Lawrence of Arabia. War movies would become a particular speciality of Tomkins, showing his expertise and love of aviation, from Guy Hamilton's epic sky drama Battle of Britain, to the epic Richard Attenborough helmed, star-packed A Bridge Too Far, Harrison Ford's shaky visit to Hanover Street, and the incredible exploits of those brave young pilots flying the flak explosions in their beloved Memphis Belle, followed by the genuine "war is hell" visceral and gritty qualities of Spielberg and Tom Hank's Saving Private Ryan. An altogether different type of war would encapsulate Tomkins imagination and attention to detail by 1979, that of the George Lucas fantasy variety. No stranger to blockbusters, what with numerous larger-than-life James Bond films under his belt, Tomkins would head out to the harsh climes of Finse, Norway to help bring The Empire Strikes Back's trench warfare of the Rebel soldiers of Hoth against the Imperial AT-AT Walker juggernauts to exciting life, working and often stuck in a genuinely hostile and danger-packed location but emerging to savour an experience that proved ultimately rewarding, and a sequence that has become much beloved by worldwide STAR WARS fans who'll certainly enjoy the intriguing section that Tomkins provides in this book, alongside some great snowbound imagery.

STAR WARS may be the main focus of the cover and of primary interest to readers of this blog, but the Classic Trilogy saga occupies but a small section of Tomkins invaluable collection of England and Hollywood-related memories and nostalgia, of which this tome contains sections both brief and detailed on all manner of other films large and small, some known, some not, but all pivotal landmarks or turning points in his growing career. Highlights include working with the genuinely one-of-a-kind charisma/whirlwind Stanley Kubrick -both heaven and hell for anyone working behind the scenes with him on what would become the benchmark science fiction wonder 2001: A Space Odyssey, landing back on planet Earth for a memorable stint on the seventies Paul Newman thriller, The Mackintosh Man (in which he famously got to direct the lead man and found the experience a joy), the live-action version of 101 Dalmatians (the challenges of creating sets occupied by so many gorgeous puppies), a demanding trilogy of Oliver Stone movies (from the stunning and authoritative JFK, to the psychedelic murder and mayhem of Natural Born Killers), then to the dark modern fusing of comic book and gritty urban thriller that would be the first Batman Begins from England's new "wunderkid", Christopher Nolan, helping to bring the Dark Knight's incredible war arsenal, the Batmobile, to such barnstorming creation. Tomkins ends his journey with the first of the Daniel Craig era James Bonds- the franchise reinvigorating Casino Royale, being one of the main contributors to its key finale sequence, where a Venice building sinks into the water as Bond fights his nemeses. As the book comes to close, Tomkins extensive filmography reveals other intriguing films that I wish he could have shed some light on, like Lewis Gilbert's sadly cancelled Terry & the Pirates, the Tobe Hooper UK horror Lifeforce, or Michael Mann's feature film debut, The Keep. Perhaps his contributions to those intriguing cult classics will come to light one day via an alternate route...

Bolstered by rare stills imagery and striking movie posters, plus other biographical details, and packaged in a nice, easy to read style highlighting Tomkin's generosity and amiable personality, Stars and Wars is another fine slice of publication magic for THE HISTORY PRESS. Don't expect too much in the way of anecdotes about working with the film stars, though. Instead, see how the incredible films they're a collective part of actually got made- through hard persistent work, long hours, spirited enthusiasm, and often genuine inspiration.

AFICIONADO RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Get hold of Stars and Wars here: Stars and Wars | 9780750956178

With thanks to THE HISTORY PRESS

Previous AFICIONADO blogs on Alan Tomkins: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: ALAN TOMKINS

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 35: THE LONG WAIT...

On the ice planet of Hoth, brave Rebel Soldiers remain entrenched in their trench pits waiting for the call to arms, in this intriguing shot likely framed specifically in homage to war-weary images taken in the tenches of World War One.

Ralph McQuarrie's production painting linked to the photo.

As equally challenging as the Battle of Hoth was the battle by dedicated filmmakers to get the sequence filmed in the worst weather conditions of Norway in early 1979. Find out more about how this was achieved in Alan Tomkins new photo biography: Stars and Wars: The Film Memoirs and Photographs of Alan Tomkins, published by THE HISTORY PRESS.

Out now, get the book here: Stars and Wars | 9780750956178

COMING SOON: ALAN TOMKINS' 'STARS AND WARS'

As a skilled and talented art director, he's helped directors like Christopher Nolan, Sir Richard Attenborough and Steven Spielberg bring their epic movie-making visions to life- from the gritty realism of A BRIDGE TOO FAR, to the comic book heroism of that Darkest of Knights, Batman, in BATMAN BEGINS, and even the quirky fun of DISNEY's spirited live-action version of 101 DALMATIANS. But Alan Tomkins is best remembered by STAR WARS fans for his behind the scenes work at the UK's Elstree studios and on location for the original two groundbreaking movies of the Classic Trilogy: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

Tomkins will be sharing his photo collection and anecdotes on the STAR WARS films, as well as his expansive movie career in general, for a new book coming this June- Stars and Wars, published by THE HISTORY PRESS. Just from looking at the cover alone, with its two rare main images, this will surely be eagerly awaited...

More info and preorder details from THE HISTORY PRESS: Stars and Wars | 9780750956178

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'SHOOTING 007 AND OTHER CELLULOID ADVENTURES' BOOK

Capturing escapist truth and beauty through the camera- UK film cinematographer Alec Mills. Image: The History Press.

SHOOTING 007 AND OTHER CELLULOID ADVENTURES

By Alec Mills

Foreword by Sir Roger Moore

Published by The History Press

Reviewed by Scott Weller

“Knowing Alec, I can safely promise you a good read, and I always tell the truth.”

Roger Moore

There are many reasons why British film industry technical talent is regarded as the finest in the world. And famed cinematographer Alec Mills is one of them!

Best known for his involvement and vital contributions to some of the most popular films of the seventies and early eighties, most notably from the James Bond and Classic STAR WARS saga, Mills, in a lengthy career that would seem him handle everything from his first youthful and enthused clapperboard duties to learning the craft of becoming a seasoned visual renderer, would easily earn his title as one of the most popular and respected people of his ilk in the fantasy-making aspects of cinematography, helping to launch Roger Moore’s broad James Bond era into colourful, humorous, exciting fun, whilst, at the other end of the scale, and in a galaxy far, far away and a long time ago, subtly moving Return of the Jedi towards its vital climatically dark thrill ride, making it all the more thrilling and immersive to watch.

 

Alec Mills at the camera lens during the 1982 UK filming of Return of the Jedi.

A subtle and caring person with a fine eye for detail, research and continuity, as well as a pioneer in many areas, especially knowing how to work as part of a team in his varied jobs but also, where necessary, not afraid to let his views be known when critically needed, Mills, through contacts and sheer bloody hard work, would truly become a part of the golden age of cinema – American, International and often hard-bitten UK endeavours. Lured by the siren-like glamour, adventure and fantasy bug of celluloid at an early age, his youthful post World War II entering of the British film industry soon saw a quiet but solid advancing up the career leader in working with some of the biggest and brightest names in the UK industry, soon proving a vital and worthy way of building his craft- from his stints in moody and atmospheric black and white to glorious, extravagant colour, from the large to the small screen, travelling countries and climes as diverse as Austria to Japan, and learning from the likes of long time Cameraman/Cinematographer legend buddies/partners in cinematic magic capturing including Michael Reed, Jack Cardiff and Alan Hume, Mills unique relationship with the camera, and the mystical quality of film running through it, is a genuine, if not always perfect, love affair.

Shooting 007 and Other Celluloid Adventures, his newly released autobiography via The History Press, paints a clear, concise and honest picture (sometimes warts and all!) of the important mark Mills contributes to populist motion picture storytelling history. Some of the 007 anecdotes, about the family feeling of the franchise created by Albert R. Broccoli, and Mills constant “humorous” sparring with prankster star Roger Moore, may not necessarily be fresh, but there are many other glamorous, and not so glamorous projects made in and around them, previously unknown and unrevealed, that prove equally worthy- cherished insights and observations on well-known actors (like the infamous boozy legend that was Oliver Reed, gritty action hero (in reality and fantasy) Lee Marvin and stalwart super-bitch and all-round tough cookie Bette Davis, plus charismatic, often chilly or eccentric directors, including Franklin Schaffner, John Guillermin and Roman Polanski. Its here, in these outer chapters, that Mills also evokes his true duties and responsibilities to a time, place and era in filmmaking that will never be seen again, showing us the importance of hard work and dedication, and how, if not always quickly, it can pay off later down the line. STAR WARS fans, in particular, will not only relish the chapter detailing his time working on the ambitious, on set secrecy-shrouded final episode of the Original Trilogy with Return of the Jedi- the happiness yet ensuing nightmares of disagreeing/dealing with a resentful senior LUCASFILM staffer, but also director Richard Marquand’s previous evocative directorial effort, the one that ultimately got him into the attention sights of George Lucas in the first place: the much under-rated World War II thriller Eye of the Needle, of which Mills reminisces are clearly a more positive if smaller-scale experience.

 

Mills (top) with Richard Marquand and the camera team of Eye of the Needle. 

Beyond the tales of the good and the bad, the gentlemanly Mister Mills, a champion of the values of teamwork and loyalty, also shows his serious side when it comes to his craft, importantly revealing intriguing tricks and magic of the film-making trade which are now sadly passing into the ether with the arrival of CGI. It's information that historians, and especially students/rising star visualists trying to break into this difficult medium of entertainment, would be wise to remember and keep inside this mini equivalent of a film-school education.

Backed up by some very rare behind the scenes photos, especially of interest to Bond aficionados, Mills trip down the cobbled but incident-packed streets of Memory Lane- the ensuing personal hardships, friendships, battles and victories making their mark- is a well-written and incident packed endeavour, with some personal demons and insecurities over his contributions to film and TV thankfully exorcised. (Oh, and speaking of the supernatural, watch out for the chapter about his "house guest"!)

AFICIONADO RATING: Never has the phrase “They don’t make ‘em like they used to” been more apt with this book. 3.5 out of 5

Get hold of the book here: http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/index.php/shooting-007.html

BEHIND THE SCENES: IN WITNESS TO THE FALLEN!

Mark Hamill and Bob Anderson get ready to film a vital scene on the massive set of the Emperor's Throne Room, at Elstree Studios in March 1982. Considering how RETURN OF THE JEDI had such a need for trilogy-ending plot secrecy, it's surprising to see so many crew on set watching Luke ultimately defeating Darth Vader! Supervised by director Richard Marquand, getting the camera ready is seasoned British cinematographer Alec Mills, a veteran of blockbuster movies, with a number of Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton era James Bond films to his past and future credit.

Out now from THE HISTORY PRESS, Mills has a brand new autobiography- SHOOTING 007 AND OTHER CELLULOID ADVENTURES - detailing his incredible and diverse time in the film industry, covering a vast range of behind the scenes experiences and memories on worldwide film sets and in exciting locations, with Bond and ROTJ getting some noteworthy attention.

Purchase SHOOTING 007 here: Shooting 007 | 9780750953634

And look out for our book review in the not too distant future...