Fred Zinnemann: An Autobiography : A Life In The Movies

For his direction of such films High Noon (1952), From Here to Eternity (1953), The Nun's Story (1958), The Day of the Jackal (1973), A Man for All Seasons (1966), and Julia (1977), Zinnemann has won five New York Film Critics' Awards, nine Academy Award nominations, and four Oscars. Photographs in his autobiography are copious and well chosen, although some identifying captions are unclear. The book starts off well, telling of Zinnemann's early days in Vienna and Paris. Before finishing, however, readers are likely to feel a bit disappointed. Zinnemann divulges very little about his private life, and is just as reticent in dealing with gossip about others. His approach leans most toward that of the film technician, but even there details are rather skimpy. This is a solid choice for special collections, but it could and should have been much more.

-John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.

Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.