
Ed Wood
1994, Drama/Biography, 2h 4m
65 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team up to fete the life and work of cult hero Ed Wood, with typically strange and wonderful results. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Bela Lugosi
Dolores Fuller
Kathy O'Hara
Criswell
Reverend Lemon
News & Interviews for Ed Wood
Critic Reviews for Ed Wood
All Critics (65) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (60) | Rotten (5)
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Ed Wood [is] a comedy of the ridiculous in which the ridiculous turns unexpectedly sublime.
November 9, 2018 | Rating: A | Full Review… -
Just daft enough and just deft enough to satisfy high-culture and low-culture aficionados alike.
April 10, 2018 | Full Review… -
Burton imitates Wood 's films brilliantly, and Wood 's chaotic lifestyle is brought to the screen with brio.
March 20, 2018 | Full Review… -
Beguiling rather than thrilling, oddly charming instead of transporting, meaning that Disney will have its work cut out for it with what is at heart a cult movie and a film buff's dream.
October 5, 2008 -
It certainly succeeds as a funny, touching tribute to tenacity, energy, ambition and friendship.
January 26, 2006 | Full Review… -
Mr. Depp isn't best known as a comic actor, but he gives a witty and captivating performance, bringing wonderful buoyancy to this crazy role.
May 20, 2003
Audience Reviews for Ed Wood
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Sep 08, 2016Leave it to Tim Burton to direct a film about the "wackiest" filmmaker of all time. But in all seriousness, Ed Wood may very well be the best directing job of Burton's career. It's funny, strange, and rapidly paced. Burton deserves credit. I really love when movies take place within the world of filmmaking, especially during the 1950's. It was just an interesting time to be involved in the film business. Perhaps nobody more interesting than Edward D. Wood Jr. Although apparently much of the film's details were made up for the movie itself, it's hard not to get a kick out of Wood's story. A man stumbles himself into Hollywood with little to no experience, and manages to garner decent budgets to make multiple films, that's Hollywood 101. One of Burton's greatest qualities is the ability to develop a great journey for the characters. Ed Wood has a clear beginning, middle, and end, but it's the stuff along the way that makes for the most entertainment. The sheer absurdity of Wood's story is really where Burton tends to bring out his best work. Watching a man without any real talent as a filmmaker plow his way through studio executives and convince actors to join him in his quest makes it all the more amazing. I mean come on, this guy compares himself to Citizen Kane on multiple occasions. As for the performances, there's almost too many good ones to mention. Johnny Depp, in his second Burton feature, begins to show exactly why he's one of this generation's greatest talents. He easily could have been nominated for an Oscar here. It's also the first real time he played such a uniquely strange character, something he's got himself stuck into doing these days. Martin Landau, who did win an Oscar for his turn as Bela Lugosi, is what makes this film work so well. It can get tiresome watching Wood's undeserved success, but Landau works so impeccably well as a drugged up Lugosi. I couldn't have imagined someone better in that role. The rest of the cast and crew also deserve credit, mostly for succeeding in making such a strangely delicious film. After a while, you begin to go along with the joke of Wood's career. And to look up and see that there's still plenty that isn't falsified makes it all the better. +Unique characters and story +Movie about movies +Burton's tight directing 8.0/10Thomas D Super Reviewer
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Dec 22, 2015An essential film for aspiring filmmakers. This film shows you how you should never make movies for profit and you should make movies because your passionate about the craft. The acting by Johnny Depp was just spell bounding and gives the best performance of his career. Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi was just spectacular and deserved his Best supporting actor Oscar. The film was shot in Black and white which gives the film an old feeling and makes you feel like your going back in time to watch a classic film.Sonny H Super Reviewer
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Sep 30, 2015Johnny Depp gives a great characterization of Ed Wood as this cheerful, upbeat, persevering guy that you root for more than you laugh (or cringe) at. The filmmaking and storytelling are well-done, but make no particular impression. Watch Ed Wood mainly for the acting of Johnny Depp and Martin Landau.Robert B Super Reviewer
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Jul 25, 2013From visionary director Tim Burton comes the fantastical tale of Ed Wood, the best worst director of all time. The film follows Ed Wood's early career making low-budget pictures, and his friendship with horror movie icon Bela Lugosi. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, and Bill Murray, the performances are all really good. And, the cinematography is beautiful; giving the film a rich and surrealist look. Still, the storytelling's a little uneven and doesn't delve too deeply into Wood's passion as a filmmaker. Though there are some weaknesses, Ed Wood is a fond love letter to classic Hollywood and the struggles of B-movie filmmaking.Dann M Super Reviewer
Ed Wood Quotes
Vampira: | You're watching our Halloween movie, "White Zombie", starring Bela Lugosi, John Harron, Madge Bellamy, and a bunch of other people I've never heard of. |
Vampira: | You're watching our Halloween movie, 'White Zombie', starring Bela Lugosi, John Harron, Madge Bellamy, and a bunch of other people I've never heard of. |
Bela Lugosi: | I refuse to drive in this country. Too many madmen. |
Bela Lugosi: | GODDAMN, it's cold! |
Ed Wood: | It'll warm up once you're in it. |
Bela Lugosi: | FUCK YOU! You come out here! |
Criswell: | Eddie, we're in show biz. It's all about razzle-dazzle. Appearances. If you look good, and you talk well, people will swallow anything. |
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