Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood

Pictures at a Revolution examines the production histories of the five films nominated for Best Picture at the 1968 Academy Awards: Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and Doctor Dolittle. Through extensive research and interviews, Mark Harris reconstructs the complex journeys of these films from concept to release between 1963 and 1967. The book tracks multiple narrative threads as the films progress simultaneously through the Hollywood system, documenting the involvement of key players like Warren Beatty, Mike Nichols, Sidney Poitier, and Katherine Hepburn. Harris provides context for the period's social upheaval, studio politics, and changing audience tastes, demonstrating how these forces shaped each production. The stark contrasts between the films - from big-budget musicals to experimental crime dramas - illustrate a film industry in transition as the old studio system gave way to new creative voices. This cultural history illuminates how American cinema reflected and influenced the social movements of the 1960s, marking a pivotal moment in both filmmaking and American life.

Readers appreciate how the book weaves together multiple narratives about the 1967 Best Picture nominees while illuminating the cultural shifts of the 1960s. Many note Harris's detailed research and ability to make behind-the-scenes movie development engaging. Likes: - Clear explanations of how the studio system transformed - Rich biographical details about key figures - Connections drawn between films and social movements - Smooth narrative flow despite complex subject matter Dislikes: - Some found early chapters slow - A few readers wanted more focus on the actual films versus production details - Several mention the book is too long at 500 pages Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (270+ ratings) Reader quote: "Harris manages to write about both art and commerce without shortchanging either" - Goodreads reviewer The book resonates most with film history enthusiasts and readers interested in 1960s cultural change.

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🎬 The book meticulously tracks the development of all five 1967 Best Picture Oscar nominees: Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and Doctor Dolittle. 🎥 Author Mark Harris conducted over 150 new interviews with surviving cast, crew, and executives to create this detailed account of Hollywood's transformation in the 1960s. 🌟 Doctor Dolittle, one of the films covered, was such a massive financial failure that it nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox, despite receiving nine Academy Award nominations. 📽️ The book reveals how Warren Beatty fought to maintain creative control of Bonnie and Clyde against studio executives who initially dismissed the film as a B-movie destined for drive-ins. 🎞️ Several major stars, including Robert Redford and Steve McQueen, turned down the role of Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate before it went to then-unknown Dustin Hoffman.