# Ed Wood

> 1994 film by Tim Burton

**Wikidata**: [Q639481](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q639481)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Wood_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ed-wood-q639481

## Summary
Ed Wood is a 1994 film directed by Tim Burton, chronicling the life of low-budget filmmaker Edward D. Wood Jr. The movie explores Wood's struggles and passions in the 1950s Hollywood scene, highlighting his infamous work *Plan 9 from Outer Space*. It stars Johnny Depp as Wood and features a blend of biographical drama and dark comedy.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: September 23, 1994 (initial release), with subsequent releases in various countries through October 7, 1994.
- **Director**: Tim Burton.
- **Starring**: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette.
- **Genre**: Biographical film, comedy-drama, LGBTQ-related film.
- **Production Company**: Touchstone Pictures.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Awards**: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Martin Landau), Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
- **Ratings**: 7.9/10 (IMDb), 92% (Rotten Tomatoes), 71/100 (Metacritic).
- **Box Office**: $7.3 million (domestic).
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 48 language editions.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7520228.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0109707.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02lxrv.

## FAQs
**What is Ed Wood about?**  
Ed Wood is a biographical comedy-drama film that follows the life of filmmaker Edward D. Wood Jr., focusing on his efforts to produce low-budget science fiction films in the 1950s, particularly *Plan 9 from Outer Space*, often cited as one of the worst films ever made.

**Who stars in Ed Wood?**  
The film features Johnny Depp as Edward D. Wood Jr., Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Dolores Fuller, among others. Martin Landau won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Lugosi.

**What recognition has Ed Wood received?**  
Ed Wood received critical acclaim, earning two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actor and Best Makeup and Hairstyling) and nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design. It holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

**How was Ed Wood produced?**  
Produced by Touchstone Pictures, the film was directed by Tim Burton and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. It was released in 1994, grossing $7.3 million domestically.

**What themes does Ed Wood explore?**  
The film delves into themes of perseverance, creativity, and the challenges of working outside mainstream Hollywood. It also touches on Wood's personal life, including his cross-dressing and relationships.

## Why It Matters
Ed Wood matters as a tribute to outsider artistry and the passion of filmmaking against adversity. It revitalized interest in Edward D. Wood Jr.'s work and highlighted the dedication of B-movie creators. The film's success underscored Tim Burton's versatility as a director and Johnny Depp's acting range, contributing to both careers. It also preserves a chapter of Hollywood history often overlooked, celebrating the eccentricities and struggles of low-budget filmmaking.

## Notable For
- **Awards and Nominations**: Won two Oscars and nominated for two others.
- **Cult Following**: Revived interest in Wood's films and B-movie culture.
- **Direction and Performance**: Tim Burton's distinctive style and Johnny Depp's acclaimed portrayal of Wood.
- **LGBTQ Representation**: Openly addresses Wood's cross-dressing, rare for mainstream 1994 cinema.
- **Critical Acclaim**: High ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, despite modest box office returns.
- **Historical Context**: Captures the 1950s Hollywood environment and the rise of science fiction films.

## Body

### Production and Release
Ed Wood was produced by Touchstone Pictures and directed by Tim Burton, released in 1994. The film premiered on September 23, 1994, with subsequent releases in various countries through October 7, 1994. It grossed $7.3 million domestically, though its cultural impact exceeded its commercial performance.

### Cast and Crew
The film stars Johnny Depp as Edward D. Wood Jr., Martin Landau as Bela Lugosi, and Sarah Jessica Parker as Dolores Fuller. Landau's performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Burton's direction and the screenplay by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski were also praised, with nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design.

### Themes and Style
Ed Wood blends biographical drama with dark comedy, exploring themes of artistic passion, perseverance, and identity. The film highlights Wood's cross-dressing and his struggles with Hollywood rejection, offering a sympathetic portrayal of his dedication to filmmaking despite critical disdain. Burton's visual style and the film's black-and-white cinematography evoke the 1950s era, immersing viewers in Wood's world.

### Awards and Legacy
The film received two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actor and Best Makeup and Hairstyling) and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design. It holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its humor, performances, and nostalgic value. Ed Wood has since become a cult classic, inspiring new generations of filmmakers and fans of B-movies.

### Cultural Impact
Ed Wood revitalized interest in Edward D. Wood Jr.'s films, particularly *Plan 9 from Outer Space*, and shed light on the B-movie industry's role in cinematic history. The film's open portrayal of Wood's cross-dressing contributed to LGBTQ representation in mainstream cinema, though it was not without controversy at the time. It also solidified Tim Burton's reputation for eccentric, character-driven storytelling and Johnny Depp's versatility as an actor.

### Related Entities
- **Touchstone Pictures**: The production company behind the film, known for other notable releases like *Dead Poets Society* and *The Princess Bride*.
- **Tim Burton**: Director known for his gothic and quirky style, with a filmography including *Beetlejuice* and *Batman*.
- **Johnny Depp**: Actor celebrated for his diverse roles, from *Pirates of the Caribbean* to *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*.
- **Martin Landau**: Veteran actor who won his first Oscar for his role in *Ed Wood*, known for *Mission: Impossible* and *Cleopatra*.
- **Bela Lugosi**: Iconic horror actor portrayed in the film, famous for *Dracula* and his collaborations with Wood.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 127 minutes.
- **Language**: English.
- **Budget**: $13 million.
- **Box Office**: $7.3 million (domestic).
- **Filming Locations**: Primarily in California, USA.
- **Cinematography**: Shot in black-and-white by Stefan Czapsky.
- **Music**: Score composed by Danny Elfman, a frequent Burton collaborator.

### Historical Context
The film is set in the 1950s, a transformative period for science fiction and horror cinema. Wood's work, though ridiculed at the time, reflects the era's fascination with space and the unknown, influenced by real-world events like the Space Race. Ed Wood captures the contrast between mainstream Hollywood glamour and the gritty, low-budget filmmaking scene Wood inhabited.

### Academic and Critical Analysis
Scholars often cite Ed Wood as an example of metafiction, a film about filmmaking that blurs the line between reality and fiction. It has been studied in film courses for its portrayal of outsider art and its commentary on the relationship between creativity and commercial success. Critics praise the film's balance of humor and pathos, avoiding mockery of Wood while acknowledging his films' shortcomings.

### Preservation and Recognition
Ed Wood is recognized by the Library of Congress and included in the National Film Registry as culturally significant. It has been preserved on various platforms, including DVD and streaming services, ensuring its accessibility to new audiences. The film's 20th-anniversary edition included behind-the-scenes content and interviews, further enriching its historical value.

### Trivia and Miscellaneous
- **Cameos**: Tim Burton appears briefly as a soldier in a hospital scene.
- **Script Development**: The screenplay was initially rejected by several studios before Touchstone Pictures agreed to produce it.
- **Box Office Performance**: Despite modest earnings, the film's success on home video and cable contributed to its enduring popularity.
- **Cultural References**: The film includes nods to Wood's other works, such as *Glen or Glenda*, and features recreations of iconic scenes from *Plan 9 from Outer Space*.

## References

1. [Source](http://television.telerama.fr/tele/films/ed-wood,21129.php)
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15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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