In the thirty years since its release, The Crow has become the ultimate cult movie, with a dedicated worldwide following, two sequels, and a persistent fascination owing to the tragedy that came to define its legacy, in which star Brandon Lee was killed in a strange on-set accident during the last days of filming. In this fully revised and updated edition, author Bridget Baiss tells the full story of The Crow, from the initial adaptation of James O'Barr's graphic novel, through its production and Lee's death, to its final, triumphant release and enduring appeal. Drawing on unprecedented access to the film's cast and crew, including new interviews and research conducted since the release of the first edition, this is a fascinating and revealing look at the troubled making of a modern classic.
Over her career, Bridget Baiss has been an entertainment journalist and producer working with media agencies around the globe. She currently lives in the Washington, DC, area.
"You won't find a more comprehensive, step-by-step account of the making of The Crow, a cult classic that continues to fascinate genre films fans and Hollywood insiders. A fitting and emotional tribute to the movie, and its late star, Brandon Lee."--Sean O'Connell, author of Release the Snyder Cut and With Great Power: How Spider-Man Conquered Hollywood during the Golden Age of Comic Book Blockbusters "In The Crow: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Classic Film, Bridget Baiss has written an engaging chronicle of the making of this 90s cult classic that is marvelously detailed and extremely informative. From her own meticulous research and revealing interviews with the surviving members of the cast and crew, Baiss has crafted a thorough history of The Crow project, from the creation of the original comic book by James O'Barr, to the development and writing of the screen version, through the film's difficult production in North Carolina, its successful theatrical and home video release, and its ongoing place in pop culture. If you're a fan, you will learn all there is to know about how the film came to be. Of course, no account of the making of The Crow could be complete without an exploration of the events that led to the tragic, on-set death of the film's star, Brandon Lee, just a few days before the end of shooting. Baiss covers these events in an honest, clear-eyed report that does not flinch from describing the challenging working conditions and very real human errors that created the tragedy, yet always demonstrates empathy, compassion, and respect for all involved. Finally, Baiss paints a vivid portrait of Lee as a talented, energetic, and positive young man with enormous potential whose life was cut tragically short. Baiss's book is an excellent tribute to an enduring film and to an ascendant star gone too soon."--Ray Morton, author of King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon and Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The Making of Steven Spielberg's Classic Film "The Crow: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Classic Film," is a thoroughly immersive read, meticulously weaving together a tapestry of riveting detail and unforgettable first-person accounts. This 30th anniversary, behind-the-scenes retrospective proves a haunting read, as Baiss skillfully escorts the reader through tragedy, despair, hope, and modern Hollywood resurrection."--John Kenneth Muir, author of Horror Films FAQ, creator of Enter the House Between
