I also mentioned that an exhibition book had been published.
Although the book is hard to get hold of, as a now proud owner of a copy I can say it is 100 percent worth getting if you're interested in Alice's film journey across the years. It is also an invaluable resource for examining the Alice novels culturally (If, unlike me, you're interested in '60s psychedelia, there's a whole essay about how Carroll's work was appropriated by that subculture)
The book also contains essays on 1903, 1910, 1915, 1931, 1933, 1949, and 1966.
1903, 1910 and 1915 are all in one essay which focuses on the process of silent movies and is really interesting.
1932 examines the history of talkie cinema and the movie's creator. Good but not as interesting as it could have been, with too much on the director's other work for my liking.
1933 takes a feminist approach and argues '33 Alice is a young woman trying to assert her rights in an often male dominated Wonderland. Its well argued but I'm not sure if I agree entirely.
1949 is an exhuming and lament for a version which was cut to pieces and has never seen the light of day in its true form. This analysis is sympathetic and engaging and features rare stills.
There is also an invaluable and rare interview with Jan Svankmajer for fans of 1988, which contains utterly awesome stills and some great insights.
Less good are the 3 (!) interviews with people involved in the 2010 and 2016
non- Carroll Disney franchise. I don't know why there are three. Maybe because both movies are in recent memory??
non- Carroll Disney franchise. I don't know why there are three. Maybe because both movies are in recent memory??
The first with Mia Wasikowska is fair and serviceable, and talks about the weight of Carroll's works and the impact this had on Wasikowska's characterisation of Alice. If, unlike me, you actually like the Disney franchise, this would most likely be extremely interesting to you.
The second is with costume designer Colleen Atwood who evidently has either never read Carroll's novels or hasn't read them for a while. When asked about Carroll's books, she frequently gets things completely wrong! A bit of a waste of an interview frankly, and I don't think a fan of the Disney franchise would get much out of it either.
The third is with screenwriter Linda Whoolverton, in which she explains why she decided to not adapt carroll's books. Interesting for 2010 and 2016 fans, not so for anyone else.
The third is with screenwriter Linda Whoolverton, in which she explains why she decided to not adapt carroll's books. Interesting for 2010 and 2016 fans, not so for anyone else.
For the more unusual Alice seekers there is an essay on the unfinished Marilyn Manson project Phantasmagoria. Not my thing personally but the essay is extremely well written. Related is the essay which compares Alice to a rare 70s italian horror. Curious, but not entirely convincing.
A good overview on the Quay Brothers's Alice and Svankmajer influenced shorts is included, which is an avenue I hadn't explored before and now want to.
There is also an essay which looks at the rare Down the Rabbit Hole trope movie Alice or the Last Escapade and gives an overview as to why the 1970s were ripe for Alice homaging. Great to finally get an essay on this movie.
Lastly there is a look at the advert Superflat Monogram, which was a japanese 2000s digital homage to Carroll's Alice. The advert itself is a delightful oddity and so is this essay, which I think is the first on this advert.
Overall, a solid decent effort of a book but one that positively DEMANDS a follow up.
NOTES:
You can read some essays from this book online!
