Evil Spirits: The Life of Oliver Reed

Evil Spirits: The Life of Oliver Reed by Cliff Goodwin. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9781852278847.

In May 1999, after a 40-year acting career, Oliver Reed succeeded in destroying himself. He died, as he had invariably lived, drinking with friends in Malta while making yet another film - Ridley Scotts "Gladiator", which was completed after his death using a computer-generated "Oliver Reed". Oliver Reeds acting breakthrough came in 1968 as Bill Sykes in the musical "Oliver!" which one six oscars and made Reed an international star. By the late 1960s he was Britains highest paid actor. His drinking, womanising and marriages earned him great notoriety in addition to his acting successes. The author reveals much about Reeds past: his involvement with the south London underworld, and the women in his life. Material from friends, family and colleagues add new perspectives to the story of this legendary character. As the great man said, "Life should be lived, and thats all there is to it."