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Ray Harryhausen
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Ray Harryhausen: An Animated Life Hardcover – 22 Nov. 2003

by Ray Harryhausen (Author), Tony Dalton (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 56 ratings
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Inspired by the film "King Kong", at the age of 13 Ray Harryhausen knew his future lay in special effects. Following on from his mentor Willis O'Brien, creator of Kong, Ray took the art and skill of stop-motion animation one step further, weaving his magic on dinosaurs, aliens and mythological creatures alike. From humble beginnings working in his father's garage animating a selection of Fairy Tales, to blockbuster movies on location in the Yemen, Italy, Malta and Spain, Ray has seen and done it all. The last great animator before the introduction of CGI, he takes us through the pleasures and pitfalls of 60 years' bringing inanimate objects to life. Learn how Raquel Welch was picked up by a flying dinosaur in "One Million Years BC", why the octopus in "Mysterious Island" was only a sixtopus, and what Medusa's blood was made from in "Clash of the Titans". From the flying harpies in "Jason and the Argonauts" to battling skeletons in the "7th Voyage of Sinbad", Ray explains the films' journeys, from original concept through to the critics' reviews. Anecdotal, insightful and honest, "An Animated Life" features hundreds of photographs from Ray's personal archive. It explains the basics of special effects and stop-motion animation, what working with the film stars of the day was like (Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith and Lionel Jeffries to name but a few) and how his creations were really the stars of the movies.
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Aurum
  4. Publication date
    22 Nov. 2003
  5. Dimensions
    65.02 x 7.62 x 73.66 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1854109405
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1854109408
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aurum (22 Nov. 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1854109405
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1854109408
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 65.02 x 7.62 x 73.66 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 56 ratings

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    Ray Harryhausen

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    Tony Dalton

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
56 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an enjoyable and worthwhile addition to their collection. They appreciate the good illustrations, posters, and storytelling in the author's own words. The book provides insight into the life of a screen classic, with his personality shining through.

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Value for moneyIllustrationsStorytelling
6 customers mention ‘Value for money’6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value. They find it enjoyable and a great addition to any collection.

"...Highly recommended for anyone with an imagination, a great book by a great man...." Read more

"AN ANIMATED READ This is a big, glossy immensely readable and enjoyable book about the life of a screen classic fantasy icon, told in his own..." Read more

"Excellent book highly recommended to anybody that is interested in Ray Harryhausen" Read more

"Well recommended. Great item and breand new. Great addition to anyones collection. A must for any avid fans. Worth it." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Illustrations’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the illustrations in the book. They find the posters and pictures engaging, making it far from dull.

"...The illustrations on the book are an absolute wonder, covering so many things we know and many we don't-or at least that I didn't...." Read more

"...The many pictures, posters and illustrations are very good. I prefer his earlier works to his later ones but it is a very good book." Read more

"...However when I got it and opened it, it's far from dull. Lots of great pictures and illustrations, many in colour...." Read more

"...its fantastic, love the drawings/pictures/posters of all his films. very happy!!!!" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Storytelling’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling in the book. They find it informative and insightful, with a glimpse into the author's world. Readers appreciate his personality and how he expresses triumphs and disappointments. The book is described as an excellent documentation of Ray Bradbury's work over the years.

"...His personality shines through in the telling and he tells of his triumphs and disappointments...." Read more

"...searching for dvds that I didnt know he did this is a great book full of insite into his world I wish I could buy him a beer to thank him for so..." Read more

"...it's also an excellent documentation of Ray's Work Throughout the years." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • harpoon guns to 'safe', please
    5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy book on the career of a great man
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 December 2011
    Verified Purchase
    If there was any justice, two men in the history of fantasy and sci-fi TV/cinema would be billionaires-way ahead of anyone else. One is Gerry Anderson, the other is Ray Harryhausen.

    This book is a joy from start to finish. Admittedly, there are one or two signs of bad proof reading and captioning in this slight update, but the book brings to life the brilliance of the contribution of Ray Harryhausen to sci fi and fantasy cinema, and for the artwork alone, it's worth the read. Sometimes, it's hard to believe just how much RH's work has influenced Cimena.

    I was brought up watching "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms", "Jason and the Argonauts" and so on, and this is like meeting a book of old friends.

    To top that, the book mentions the unsung hero of special effects, Willis H O'Brien.

    Anyone who enjoys SF and fantasy, or to be honest, just cinema, should read this book. It feels like Ray Harryhausen is being extremely honest with his own strengths and faults.

    The illustrations on the book are an absolute wonder, covering so many things we know and many we don't-or at least that I didn't.

    Highly recommended for anyone with an imagination, a great book by a great man.

    I cannot think of anything missing from this book; I loved it, every page. Please will someone now finish some more of the lost projects ?
    2 people found this helpful
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  • DavieF
    5.0 out of 5 stars posters and illustrations are very good. I prefer his earlier works to his later ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    AN ANIMATED READ
    This is a big, glossy immensely readable and enjoyable book about the life of a screen classic fantasy icon, told in his own words. His personality shines through in the telling and he tells of his triumphs and disappointments. The many pictures, posters and illustrations are very good. I prefer his earlier works to his later ones but it is a very good book.
    Helpful
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  • Birdy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very impressive book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Was a little unsure about buying this, mainly because the pages preview indicated it was mostly black and white and a bit of a visually dull book. However when I got it and opened it, it's far from dull. Lots of great pictures and illustrations, many in colour. There's also a hell of a lot of text so it'll take quite some time to get through but I look forward to clearing the schedule and sitting down with this book for many hours.
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  • Mr P.Bennett
    5.0 out of 5 stars harryhausen the greatest
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A book that you have to keep putting down to rewatch his brilliant movies so far I have had to watch 7 of his movies just to be reminded of the genius that this book is about and I am now searching for dvds that I didnt know he did this is a great book full of insite into his world I wish I could buy him a beer to thank him for so many hours of escapist fun
    Helpful
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  • Peter Blood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Built a frame at a time
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 March 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The master- who along with Willis O'Brien of King Kong fame (1933) has inspired the art of stop motion animation and the legacy continues on with Henry Selick, Laika and Wes Anderson, among others. The tools have only gotten better to make the process easier as the stakes get higher.
    Helpful
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  • w m bakewell
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Animated Life
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book highly recommended to anybody that is interested in Ray Harryhausen
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  • M. HARVEY
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well illustrated and interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2010
    Haven't got time to write a long review but this book is great. Very much one for the fan of old films as there's plenty of detail. Heartily recommended.
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  • Jake
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2013
    Verified Purchase
    bought this for my Dad who is monster mad said it was the best present he got this christmas really pleased.

    it's also an excellent documentation of Ray's Work Throughout the years.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Franck.L
    5.0 out of 5 stars Que de bons souvenirs !
    Reviewed in France on 29 August 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Un très bel ouvrage permettant de revivre en photos et en textes le magnifique travail cinématographie de Ray Harryhausen.
    Les débuts de l'animation image par image qui avait un charme certain.
    A conseiller aux grands fans de cinéma et d'effets spéciaux.
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  • MAXIME FRACHE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in France on 22 December 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Excellente transaction
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  • R. Gorey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Long overdue, but worth the wait.
    Reviewed in the United States on 19 February 2006
    Verified Purchase
    Die-hard fans of special effects master Ray Harryhausen may recall Jeff Rovin's book "From the Land Beyond Beyond", which arrived in 1977. It was a welcome addition to the Harryhausen legacy, but was too subjective and fan-based for some tastes. Hard to believe it took almost thirty years for this definitive, color version of the Harryhausen story to arrive on the scene. Some will feel it is merely an extension of Ray's previous work, the Film Fantasy Scrapbook, and in many ways, it is, but there's so much detail here that this deluxe volume is worth picking up. Though of course modern special effects have become almost ridiculously complex, it's wonderful to hear Ray describe in great technical detail the processes and techniques he used to bring his animals and fantasy creatures to life in films like "7th Voyage of Sinbad" and "Jason and the Argonauts". He's also candid about which films worked for him (and audiences) and which somehow missed the mark. Even readers who prefer modern spectacles to Harryhausen's classical, stately epics should find something of value here, and there is plenty to inspire any animator, filmmaker, or budding cinematographer. This book isn't just a special effects guide, it's a valuable and integral part of the history of film: Harryhausen's career spanned five decades, and he worked with some of the greats in the industry--not only effects geniuses like Willis O'brien, but actors like Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, James Franciscus, Honor Blackman, Richard Carlson, Jane Seymour and Raquel Welch. A little pricey, but worth the cost. A must have for Harryhausen fans, naturally, but anyone interested in the movies will come away satisfied.
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  • Jep
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ray Harryhausen The Master!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2009
    Verified Purchase
    Ray Harryhausen An Animated Life is a book you can not miss in a good collection of classic movie fans.

    Harryhausen fans will be delighted with the high quality of this book. Fantastic designs, full information, details magnificos. Great editing and a good choice.
    The contents of the book tells the story of Ray from its firsts works until his last film with an amazing amount of details.

    Ray Harryhausen is the king.
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  • lorenzo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un maitre de l'animation et des effets spéciaux du cinéma
    Reviewed in France on 23 December 2004
    Verified Purchase
    Vraiment un superbe livre (en anglais), mais magnifiquement bien illustré et construit (5année de recherche ont été nécessaire à son élaboration.
    Un must pour tout les passionnées du créateur des effets spéciaux de Jason et les Argonaute, le Choc des Titans, la trilogie des Simbad, et beaucoup d'autre film qui resteront a jamais des piliers fondateur pour les passionnés du fantastique, et de la mythologie.
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