Ed Wood (1994)

Ed Wood (1994) is a biographical comedy-drama directed by Tim Burton. The film tells the story of Edward D. Wood Jr., often dubbed the “worst director of all time,” and his struggle to make movies in Hollywood. Despite his reputation for making poor-quality films, Ed Wood had an enduring passion for filmmaking, which is explored with a mix of humor, empathy, and eccentricity in this movie.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Struggling Director

The movie opens in the 1950s, focusing on Ed Wood (played by Johnny Depp), a young and ambitious filmmaker with an unrelenting passion for cinema. Despite his enthusiasm, he faces repeated rejection from Hollywood due to his lack of skill and unorthodox approach to filmmaking. The movie explores his quirky personality, including his penchant for cross-dressing, which is humorously integrated into his character without being the central focus.

Meeting Bela Lugosi

One of the most pivotal moments in Ed’s career is his meeting with Bela Lugosi (played by Martin Landau), the legendary actor known for his role as Dracula. At this point in his life, Lugosi is past his prime and struggling with addiction and financial issues. Despite this, Ed idolizes Lugosi and believes that working with him will elevate his own career. Their friendship becomes one of the film’s emotional cores, as Ed helps Lugosi find work, albeit in his low-budget, bizarre films.

Making “Glen or Glenda”

Ed convinces a small studio to let him direct his first feature, Glen or Glenda, a semi-autobiographical story about a man struggling with his desire to wear women’s clothing. This is one of Ed’s most personal films, though it is notoriously poorly made. The movie explores how Ed’s real-life quirks make their way into his art, creating a unique, albeit flawed, body of work.

Struggling to Make “Bride of the Monster”

Ed’s next project, Bride of the Monster, becomes another challenge as he battles with lack of funding, incompetent crew members, and unreliable equipment. He pulls off strange stunts to complete his films, including shooting in bizarre locations and using stock footage to fill gaps in scenes. Despite the disasters on set, Ed’s unshakable optimism and belief in his work keep him going.

The Infamous “Plan 9 from Outer Space”

The film climaxes with the making of Plan 9 from Outer Space, now considered one of the worst films ever made but also a cult classic. Ed gathers a motley crew of friends and unknown actors to complete the film. The production is chaotic, filled with technical issues, poor acting, and laughable special effects. Yet Ed remains determined to see it through, and the movie serves as a testament to his undying passion for filmmaking.

Movie Ending

The movie ends on a bittersweet note, as Plan 9 from Outer Space is completed and Ed is finally able to premiere it. While it is panned by critics and audiences alike, Ed doesn’t let the negativity dampen his spirits. He remains confident that he will one day be recognized as a great filmmaker. The movie concludes with Ed walking off into the rain with his girlfriend Dolores (played by Patricia Arquette), still dreaming of future projects.

Though Ed Wood would never achieve mainstream success during his lifetime, Ed Wood celebrates his unwavering love for cinema and his ability to persevere in the face of constant failure.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Ed Wood does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story concludes without any additional scenes or teasers. However, the credits include humorous text about what happened to some of the characters after the events depicted in the movie, such as the eventual fate of Plan 9 from Outer Space.

Type of Movie

Ed Wood is a biographical comedy-drama with elements of dark humor and drama. It blends fact and fiction to tell the story of a deeply eccentric yet passionate filmmaker.

Cast

• Johnny Depp as Ed Wood
• Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi
• Sarah Jessica Parker as Dolores Fuller
• Patricia Arquette as Kathy O’Hara
• Bill Murray as Bunny Breckinridge
• Jeffrey Jones as Criswell
• Lisa Marie as Vampira
• George ‘The Animal’ Steele as Tor Johnson

Film Music and Composer

The film’s music was composed by Howard Shore, known for creating scores that balance the dark and whimsical tones present in Burton’s films. The music complements the film’s black-and-white aesthetic, providing a retro, eerie vibe that pays homage to the B-movies Ed Wood famously made.

Filming Locations

Most of the film was shot on sound stages in Los Angeles, capturing the look and feel of 1950s Hollywood. The black-and-white cinematography helped recreate the era, paying homage to the low-budget, monochrome films that Ed Wood directed.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards:
• Best Supporting Actor (Martin Landau) – WON
• Best Makeup – WON
• Golden Globe Awards:
• Best Supporting Actor (Martin Landau) – WON
• BAFTA Awards:
• Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Martin Landau)

Martin Landau’s portrayal of Bela Lugosi was widely praised and earned him both an Oscar and a Golden Globe, while the makeup work in the film also garnered critical acclaim.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Johnny Depp modeled his performance of Ed Wood on the enthusiastic and optimistic demeanor of Ronald Reagan.
• Tim Burton shot the film in black-and-white, despite studio resistance, to better capture the look of the 1950s and Ed Wood’s original films.
• Martin Landau wore extensive prosthetics to resemble Bela Lugosi and even studied old footage of the actor to perfect his portrayal.
• The film reunites Burton with several frequent collaborators, including Depp and makeup artist Rick Baker.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on Ed Wood’s real life, particularly his work on his infamous low-budget films, like Glen or Glenda and Plan 9 from Outer Space. The screenplay is adapted from the biography “Nightmare of Ecstasy” by Rudolph Grey, which explores the bizarre and eccentric life of Ed Wood.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While there are no notable alternate endings, some scenes were trimmed or simplified to tighten the film’s pacing. However, no major changes to the narrative were made.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie was adapted from the biography Nightmare of Ecstasy: The Life and Art of Edward D. Wood, Jr. The film takes some liberties with the timeline of events and certain character portrayals for dramatic and comedic effect but stays relatively true to the core events of Ed Wood’s life.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The meeting between Ed Wood and Bela Lugosi, where Wood awkwardly convinces Lugosi to star in his films.
• The chaotic filming of Plan 9 from Outer Space, with malfunctioning sets and confused actors.
• The heartfelt moment where Ed comforts Lugosi during his heroin withdrawal.

Iconic Quotes

• Ed Wood: “We don’t have a permit. Run!”
• Ed Wood: “This is the one. This is the one I’ll be remembered for.”
• Criswell: “Future events such as these will affect you in the future.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The film includes several nods to Tim Burton’s fascination with misfit characters, much like his previous works.
• The depiction of Wood’s real-life cross-dressing is handled with humor, but also with a surprising amount of empathy for the time period.
• The recreation of the original Plan 9 from Outer Space scenes are painstakingly accurate, down to the wobbly gravestones.

Trivia

• Johnny Depp described Ed Wood as one of his favorite characters to play.
• Tim Burton originally wanted to cast Michael Keaton as Ed Wood but ultimately went with Depp.
• The black-and-white cinematography was a tribute to the films of the 1950s and helped create the movie’s retro aesthetic.

Why Watch?

Ed Wood is a must-watch for fans of biographical films, classic cinema, and Tim Burton‘s quirky storytelling. The movie is both funny and touching, exploring themes of failure, passion, and artistic determination. It’s a heartfelt tribute to filmmaking and dreamers who never give up, no matter how bad things get.

Director’s Other Movies

• Edward Scissorhands (1990)
• Beetlejuice (1988)
• Batman (1989)
• Sleepy Hollow (1999)
• Corpse Bride (2005)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Disaster Artist (2017)
• Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) – the real movie
• Man on the Moon (1999)
• The Room (2003)
• Big Fish (2003)