Director's Cut: My Life in Film

An amazing life lived by an artist of integrity, talent and versatility. From Fun with Dick and Jane to First Blood to Weekend at Bernie's, Kotcheff goes from comedy to thriller and back again, each time creating an iconic classic - that's the reason to read this book - to find out what it is that enables a filmmaker to consistently find the truth inside the story he is telling. The book is very readable - I finished it in just two sittings - and aside from all the interesting stories the author has to tell about the people with whom he has worked, the book reveals so much about the man and his process that I must say, it appears as if Ted Kotcheff has taken yet another story - the story of his own life - and created a classic work from it.

This book is much more than just a biography of a successful director, it's a compilation of stories about how who he is, rather than just how he directs. Ted Kotcheff has directed many different movies and tv series, from comedies to dramas, including my favorite, SVU. His honest and open recollections of his struggles and the lessons he learned along the way are often humorous and touching. While learning how a director discovers his unique style is interesting, it's how he has impacted the lives of the people who have worked with him that I found most intriguing. Story after story reveals the passion that Kotcheff brings to every project and his commitment to making everyone around him better at what they do. The way the book weaves Kotcheff's personal life, his creative work, and his unique insights into a story of perseverance and self-discovery makes for compelling reading. Anyone who likes learning about filmmaking and the creative process, or just likes a good story, will find this book enjoyable.

This is by far one of the best books i have read in a while its a true come up story of a young man growing up and showing striving for success and wanting to make it in TV/Film. the book is very detailed and very informative and lets u know that if u work hard that dreams can come true and lastly he directed law and order :SVU which is one of the best shows that i can say ever's been on tv. Its nice getting a chance to read the back stories of people who actually make the shows we've come to love today.

This book's a biography, a retelling of the life-story of a story-teller from the film business - and hence, of particular interest to those looking for an insight into or dreaming to make it in TV/Film. Bulgarian/ Canadian director Ted Kotcheff is probably best known for Rambo: First Blood and producing the hit TV series Law & Order (1999-2012).This book starts off talking about his humble beginnings and struggle as a youth growing up in an impoverished European-immigrant neighborhood in Toronto during the Depression, and also his not-so-great relationship with his parents. It then gives the reader a detailed, anecdote-rich account of his time as a director; his early years in TV particularly come off as a lively, exciting time that he has fond memories of. For film students and film buffs, there several behind-the-scene stories - both personal and from the sets - that make this an interesting read.Recommended for fans of biographies and film.

If you are a fan of movies, Hollywood life or directors or wish to be in the life this is a perfect read for you. Being an LA native and fan of Law and Order SVU I was interested to read this book, especially as a friend of mine highly recommended it. The book was good, although was slow in some areas and all around great view of a directors life. It was interesting to read about his beginning and his rise to fame. Before this I didnt really know much about him but knowing what work he has done definitely has me as a fan of his. I would definatley recommend to any film buff to read. And definitely give a lot more credit and respect to Mr Kotcheff.

It's was great for me to discover the man behind groundbreaking films like "First Blood" and television shows like "Law and Order: SVU". Ted Kotcheff"s book is simply a fascinating journey through the behind the scenes of his life and his work as a storyteller. Even if you are not a hard-core movie or TV viewer, Kotcheff's book seduces you with a wonderful collection of stories told candidly and with a very charming warm prose, generous on details and celebrities. The man tells you about his interactions with Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Peter Sellers, Gene Hackman, Sylvester Stallone, Norman Jewison and the list goes on. I also loved to have the chance to witness the creative process of this successful director. It truly is a wonderful reading. Thanks to this book, I will watch the movies he made that I hadn't seen.

If you are familiar with and love Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, then you will find this book intriguing since Ted Kotcheff was a producer for the show. This book shows you Ted Kotcheff personal life as well as his experiences and success in directing films, theater and television. One of the most inspiring thing about this book is that although Ted was ban from the US for many years, he managed to fight through the struggle and still become a very well-known director. This book doesn't even feel like a biography, rather it feels like you are gaining hands-on experience directly from Ted Kotcheff. You can also tell that he has inspired many life’s especially with the anecdotes of each celebrity which can be found in the close-ups chapter. I highly recommend this book! 10/10

This is an incredible book that is captivating from the very first sentence. The narrative is quite lively, and reading it was such a pleasant experience that I finished it in one sitting. It offers a fascinating picture of Mr. Kotcheff's life, and I felt as if I was having an intimate conversation with him. I particularly enjoyed hearing the stories about his family and childhood, and I found that the way they were interspersed between recollections of his storied career to be particularly effective. Overall, this book offers a fabulous glimpse of a most compelling life, and it was a pure delight to read.