This black-and-white biopic from 1994 offers a dubious tribute to Edward D. Wood, Jr., the man deemed by many as the worst movie director of all time. In turn, he is credited with directing, writing, and producing what may be the worst movie of all time: Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959). This special edition from 2007 includes a multitude of fun bonus features that explain and enhance the film (and Plan 9 From Outer Space, the film within the film).
Another Collaboration Between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp
Among Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the other quirky collaborations between actor Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton, Ed Wood stands out as one of the quirkiest. Like the other Burton creations, this film uses dark humor and fringe characters to tell its story.
Much of the humor surrounding the character of Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) focuses on his shoddy filmmaking techniques and fetish for wearing women’s clothing. More than merely a sexual thrill, Wood finds the soft textures of angora sweaters and other female attire soothing to his jangled nerves. The reactions of his girlfriends (Sarah Jessica Parker and Patricia Arquette) to his fetish become crucial to their relationships.
While Depp’s portrayal revels in the director’s eccentricities, it also reveals his childlike innocence, desire to please, and basic humanity. Although we may chuckle at Wood in a dress, we get misty-eyed when he cares for his elderly junkie friend, actor Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau in his Academy Award-winning performance). Acting, writing, music, costumes, and other production values should delight fans of the late director. Those just discovering Wood’s work will enjoy a fun eye-opener that describes the personal and professional life of the low-budget sci-fi horror filmmaker.
Ed Wood Audio Commentary
One of the most outstanding bonus features on this DVD is the audio commentary with observations by director Tim Burton, actor Martin Landau, co-writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, director of photography Stefan Czapsky, and costume designer Colleen Atwood. Landau serves as a host of sorts, introducing the various speakers using his Bela Lugosi voice before each one speaks.
Most DVD audio commentary correlates to what’s on the screen by describing how they shot specific scenes or wrote specific lines. In this case, however, the talk mainly concerns more general ideas, such as how they came up with the story, the relationship between Wood and Lugosi and how it parallels the relationship between Depp and Landau, and why Burton chose to film in black-and-white. The commentary provides many interesting anecdotes, but like the film itself, isn’t quite what viewers have come to expect.
Ed Wood (Special Edition DVD 2007)
- This comic biopic takes a look at a cross-dressing, low-budget horror movie director from the 1950s, considered by many to be the worst at his craft.
- Starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, Lisa Marie, George “The Animal” Steele, Bill Murray
- Director: Tim Burton
- Writers: Larry Karaszewski, Rudolph Grey, Scott Alexander
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- Run Time: 127 minutes
- Rating: R (for strong language)
- DVD Bonus Features Include: Deleted Scenes, Behind the Scenes Featurette, Pie Plates Over Hollywood Featurette, Audio Commentary, Music Video
- Academy Awards Received: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Martin Landau); Best Makeup (Rick Baker, Ve Neill, Yolanda Toussieng)
- Additional Information: Click here to watch Plan 9 From Outer Space.
For more information, read Tim Burton Films With Johnny Depp.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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