Blow-Up... And Other Exaggerations

The Autobiography of David Hemmings

By David Hemmings

Summary

In 1967 Antonioni’s 'Blow-Up' was received by stunned audiences across the world. It was one of the most beautiful and enigmatic pictures to capture the zeitgeist and by the end of 60s, David Hemmings, who played the central role, was one of the world's biggest movie stars. He appeared subsequently in a string of films, including 'The Charge of the Light Brigade', 'Gladiator' and 'Barbarella'. But it was while making 'Camelot' that he met his second wife, the beautiful Texan actress Gayle Hunnicutt. Between them, they filled column inches for the next six years.

From ordinary beginnings, Hemmings was launched early into an extraordinary life at the age of 12, when he was picked by Benjamin Britten to sing in his new operatic version of 'The Turn of the Screw'. At 17 he was working in rep, then married for the first of four times and a father by 20. When he was cast in 'Blow-Up' he was just 25 with over 30 films to his name. Perhaps it is not surprising that the man who always lived life to the full was still filming on the day he died in early December 2003. By that time he had over 100 film and TV roles to his name and had been living happily with his fourth wife Lucy for the last nine years.

Hemmings' life was one of almost unbelievable breadth and vividness, observed and recollected here with sardonic and self-deprecating wit. This is one of the most unusual and entertaining accounts of the movie business ever to emerge.

About the Author

David Hemmings will always be remembered for his central role in the enigmatic 'Blow-Up', one of the defining images of the 60s. Yet before and beyond 'Blow-Up', his life was always extraordinarily full and diverse, and he seldom failed to find the humour in the myriad bizarre circumstances in which he found himself throughout a long and astonishingly full career working on 'Camelot', 'Alfred the Great', 'Magnum', 'Gladiator', 'Last Orders' and 'Gangs of New York', among others. This is the story of Hemmings' life and loves, told in his own words.

Publisher	Robson
Publication Date	23 September 2004
ISBN	186105789X
Size (h x w)	234x156mm
Binding	Hardback
Pages	356