"This book does a very thorough job of analyzing Wyler's films and provides incisive insights into what may have been the director's intentions as he crafted scripts, composed images, and edited film. A very enlightening study of Wyler."—Tom Matthews, screenwriter for Mad City and author of Like We Care
"With his commanding knowledge of film history, meticulous research and deeply insightful analysis, Gabriel Miller makes a powerful case for declaring Wyler one of our two or three greatest film directors and reminds us that this great artist's unprecedented versatility was a virtue and not a vice."—James Verniere, The Boston Herald and the National Society of Film Critics
There is a lot to enjoy in William Wyler: The Life and Films of Hollywood's Most Celebrated Director. ... If you want a crash course in Wyler, from a filmmaking standpoint, pick up a copy.
~Journeys in Classic Film
Miller's great accomplishment is identifying Wyler's worldview as social conscience coupled with skepticism over the value of pacifism.
~Shepherd Express Milwaukee
In this detailed survey of Wyler's work, Miller does a credible job of supporting his argument that Wyler "most certainly belongs in the company of the most accomplished and distinguished of American directors."
~History News Network
Miller gives Wyler's style the depth it truly deserves, discussing the director's use of deep-focus photography (years before Orson Welles famously used it on Citizen Kane) and his careful compositions. He also touches on Wyler's work with actors, which was often fiery. Wyler was a perfectionist who knew exactly what he wanted; unfortunately he could be maddeningly inarticulate when it came to telling his performers just what that was. —Star-Ledger
~Nj.com
For the true movie lover, the only pleasure that can come close to matching that of steeping oneself, Norma Desmond-like, in the flickering images of a great movie is wallowing a long, exhaustive, in-depth biography of a beloved filmmaker. And in terms of all the things that matter - research, organization, access, industry and adulation - William Wyler: The Life and Films of Hollywood's Most Celebrated Directory by Gabriel Miller hits the mark.
~New York Journal of Books
Miller's writing style is fluid and accessible, even when he delves into seriously technical material, and his respect and admiration for Wyler comes through loud and clear on every page. Baffingly little known today among moviegoers, Wyler was a giant of American film, and, upon its publication, this book instantly becomes an essential addition to any film collection.
~David Pitt, Booklist
This is the best study of Wyler we have. A welcome addition to the literature of filmmaking.
~Kirkus Reviews
Miller shows how much still can be done with Wyler's long, illustrious career, and his book is easily the most comprehensive and insightful of the lot.... Absolutely accurate and rich with detail.... Miller's book brings Wyler's work alive for contemporary audiences.
~Choice
The narrative of this insightful work is biographical—albeit deeply craft-oriented— and Miller is at his best when he dedicates himself to examining the artistry of Wyler's direction. Wyler's life provides the framework for Miller to explore the director's exhaustive canon in intricate detail, with frame-by-frame analysis. The text is fluid and accessible, even when delving into technical matters. Miller ably examines the elements that made Wyler's films so powerful: his signature deep focus photography, sense of time and space, and humanist subject matter. Miller makes a strong case that when it comes to conveying ideas visually, Wyler is a master strategist. [...] This is a passionate book about a passionate director whose craft—and yes, artistry—lives in the enduring popularity of his films.
~DGA Quarterly
