ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Dwayne Epstein is the author of the N.Y. Times bestselling biography, “Lee Marvin: Point Blank,” which was also a finalist in ForeWord magazine Book of the Year competitions. He is the author of the current Amazon bestseller "Killin Generals: The Making of The Dirty Dozen", The Most Iconic World War II Film of All Time.” "Killin Generals" delves into the behind-the-scenes journey of creating "The Dirty Dozen" which became a groundbreaking film due to its unconventional approach to the genre, blending dark humor with action-packed drama. The book and this interview, my second with Epstein, provides an in-depth exploration of the casting process, highlighting the unique selection of actors, including Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and Jim Brown, who would come to define the film's success. Epstein tells us about the challenges faced during production, such as the film's anti-authoritarian themes. "Killin Generals" offers a comprehensive look at how the filmmakers and cast transformed a gritty, unorthodox script into a cinematic phenomenon that would influence generations of action films to come. 💠 Prior to writing biographies, Epstein contributed to film chronicles on a regular basis. He wrote for Filmfax Magazine on subjects such as Bobby Darin, the Rat Pack, television pioneer Steve Allen, film director Sam Fuller, comic book artist Neal Adams, “Invasion of the Body Snatcher’s” Kevin McCarthy, John Belushi, and comedy legend Sid Caesar. Epstein later contributed to Cahiers Du Cinema’s “Serious Pleasures” which had a high profile in Europe. He wrote on American films chosen for rediscovery by directors Oliver Stone, Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen, and Clint Eastwood.
