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William Goldman
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Which Lie Did I Tell? Paperback – 21 May 2001

by William Goldman (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 55 ratings
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Following the bestselling "Adventures in the Screen" Trade Goldman has even more secrets to tell. He shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the sets of such movies as "The Princess Bride", "Misery and Maverick", and fills us in on what it's like to work with Mel Gibson, Michael Douglas, Clint Eastwood, amongst many other Hollywood players. He tells us what does and doesn't work on film and why, and conducts a virtual writer's clinic on classic moments in great screenplays: among them the crop-dusting scene in North by Northwest and the zipper scene in "There's Something About Mary". Finally, Goldman brings together some of today's top screenwriters to analyse and doctor a screenplay he created specifically for this book. "Which Lie Did I Tell?" is the definitve guide for any inspiring screenwriter in revealing the nuts and bolts behind the glitzy facade of contemporary Hollywood film.
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  1. Print length
    496 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  4. Publication date
    21 May 2001
  5. Dimensions
    12.9 x 3.4 x 19.9 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0747553173
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0747553175
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Product description

Review

'This is a book no movie buff should fail to beg, borrow or steal' Observer 'Brilliantly told ... an irresistible, wickedly funny read' Empire

About the Author

William Goldman is a novelist, screenwriter, playwright and is the author of the seminal book Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting. He has won two Academy Awards, for Best Original Screenplay (for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) and Best Adapted Screenplay (for All the President's Men), and three Lifetime Achievement awards in screenwriting. His novels The Princess Bride and Marathon Man, are also published by Bloomsbury. He lives in New York City.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 21 May 2001
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ New
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0747553173
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0747553175
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 544 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 3.4 x 19.9 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 55 ratings

About the author

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William Goldman

William Goldman

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William Goldman (b. 1931) is an Academy Award–winning author of screenplays, plays, memoirs, and novels. His first novel, The Temple of Gold (1957), was followed by the script for the Broadway army comedy Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole (1961). He went on to write the screenplays for many acclaimed films, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and All the President’s Men (1976), for which he won two Academy Awards. He adapted his own novels for the hit movies Marathon Man (1976) and The Princess Bride (1987).

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
55 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and informative, with one noting it's a fascinating read for budding writers. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its screenwriting insights, with one customer describing it as a brilliant analysis of how films get made. Additionally, the writing style is witty, and customers appreciate the author's authenticity.

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Reading qualityScreenwritingWriting qualityAuthenticity
15 customers mention ‘Reading quality’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and informative, with one mentioning it's particularly fascinating for budding writers.

"...It is a long book, but very readable and engaging - not surprising, given Mr. Goldman's pedigree...." Read more

"...There’s plenty of examples to learn from both good and bad. It’s entertaining, heartfelt and honest and I learned a lot." Read more

"...in the craft of writing, especially screenwriting, this book is an absolute gem...." Read more

"...Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Screenwriting’7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's approach to screenwriting, with one customer describing it as a brilliant analysis of how films get made.

"...is suitable for both the general reader, and also for those writing their own screenplays...." Read more

"...this is not that type of book. Instead it’s an honest recollection of William’s magically weird and whacky adventures in Hollywood, the projects he..." Read more

"...in far greater detail, and is packed with tips, pointers and wonderful anecdotes from Goldman's rich and varied career. A real gem." Read more

"...a brilliant analysis of how films actually get made, in part a star-studded memoir, and in part an insightful guide to the art of screenwriting...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Writing quality’5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, finding it witty and clever.

"...Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life." Read more

"...in great company, never bored, always entertained, and often surprised by what he writes. Not just for film buffs - a page turner for everyone." Read more

"Great writer, great book. Funny and informative." Read more

"...The author does a charming and convincing line in self deprecation, which should appeal to Brits, as we do that too...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Authenticity’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, with one review noting its brutally honest portrayal of the author's career.

"...So he has credibility, and is brutally honest about his career, and how no matter how good you are, you are only as good as your last job...." Read more

"...This is a man who cares about telling a good story filled with quality characters...." Read more

"...Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Qwerty Asdf
    5.0 out of 5 stars A top screenwriter - and his writing shows it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 February 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is suitable for both the general reader, and also for those writing their own screenplays. It is a long book, but very readable and engaging - not surprising, given Mr. Goldman's pedigree.

    This man won Oscars and BAFTAs for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All the President's Men". In this book he reveals that he ghost wrote the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting", for which an Oscar was awarded in 1998 to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck... He was paid a lot of money to keep quiet about that - he bought a villa in the Riviera as a result.

    So he has credibility, and is brutally honest about his career, and how no matter how good you are, you are only as good as your last job.

    As a guide to writing your own material, it is much less prescriptive, and perhaps more 'modern' than the classic "Screenplay" by Syd Field. Read both books and you will be very well informed on screenplay craftsmanship. This book, though, will help you with the salemanship also (if you ever would like to get your screenplay into production).

    Recommended to anyone who has ever watched a movie!

    Brian
    One person found this helpful
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  • M.W. Renshaw
    5.0 out of 5 stars An honest assessment of screenwriting in Hollywood from a guy who cares about stories
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I’ve read a few screenwriting books now and some seem to be by guys who have written scripts I’ve never heard of. Others constantly reference the one or two minor successes they’ve achieved.

    William Goldman has a proven track record over several decades and they are filled with quality movies and books. This is a man who cares about telling a good story filled with quality characters. All this comes across really well in the book ‘What Lie Did I Tell?’

    If you are expecting a book about script formatting or how to write a script that is ‘guaranteed to sell!’ this is not that type of book. Instead it’s an honest recollection of William’s magically weird and whacky adventures in Hollywood, the projects he’s worked on; the successes and the failures. There’s plenty of examples to learn from both good and bad. It’s entertaining, heartfelt and honest and I learned a lot.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Rui Filipe Pinto
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast deleivery
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The book was in good condition has said
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  • Jennie Pollock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading on great writing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    If you're interested in the craft of writing, especially screenwriting, this book is an absolute gem. Definitely up there with Stephen King's 'On Writing' (and surpasses it, in my opinion, for sheer interestingness about the art, the craft and the journey). It's like a director's commentary on a DVD, only in far greater detail, and is packed with tips, pointers and wonderful anecdotes from Goldman's rich and varied career. A real gem.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • KD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read it, regardless of whether scriptwriting is your thing.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    A book for everyone whether or not you were a reader, a writer, or aspiring writer. I am not a scriptwriter in any stretch of imagination and I gobbled this book up in a couple of seatings. Erudite, witty, intelligent and insightful, what a book, what a man and what a life.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Samuel Barber
    2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Whilst this book was an interesting read it was not particularly helpful. I cannot say that it improved my writing, probably because his points of reference with 'The Princess Bride' and 'There's Something About Mary' were not my kinds of films. If he did something more with Hitchcock like 'Notorious' and 'North by Northwest' then maybe I would have had a different opinion on the book.
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  • Dalea11
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Entertaining and Informative
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Easily as good as Goldman's previous insight into the film world (Adventures in the Screen Trade). To read Goldman is to be in great company, never bored, always entertained, and often surprised by what he writes. Not just for film buffs - a page turner for everyone.
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  • Tilly85
    4.0 out of 5 stars Top shelf!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2015
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Feeling reflective? This will start a whole string of different readings for you!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mehdzo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Suite digne du premier
    Reviewed in France on 17 January 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Expérience bien détaillé. Conseils utiles. A lire.
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