5.0 out of 5 stars The VERY Best Book on Screenwriting TO THIS DATE

H.U. · September 10, 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Not only is one of the best books I've ever read, it does NOT disappoint in way, shape, form, or capacity. Robert McKee makes a science out of screenwriting and teaches you how to APPLY. I must admit that it is FULL of concepts and you will have to read this over-400-page-book more than once AND don't be shy if you still have to flip through it again or use AI for answers. It is THICK and I don't think we are supposed to understand it all UNTIL we start working the "rules" ourselves. Happy Screenwriting, Family. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for screenwriters! It's a great book for any storyteller

C.S.W. · August 15, 2025

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the subtitle of this book includes the word “screenwriting.” This book is for anybody who wants to understand storytelling at a deep, technical level. If I were creating my own masterclass on creative writing, this would be one of the core books.

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK ON HOW TO CREATE STORIES 100% hands down

b. · April 7, 2021

Sorry I don’t have time to write a succinctly profound review but if you’re even barely considering buying this book, JUST DO IT. I honestly can’t believe the price is 25$.If you have an ounce of raw story telling talent, or if u consider yourself professional, this book is for you. Or if you appreciate the art of storytelling; or if u work in the industry and get scripts across your desk, this book is for you.I do not write scripts and have no plans to; I was introduced to this book years ago when reviewing a script someone was interested in getting funded and felt appropriate to educate myself on what makes a script great... Bc we all know when a script isn’t, but not necessarily Why. Robert blew my mind w this one; the depth, the clarity, the profundity and the genius simplification of one of the most complex art forms - telling stories about the human experience.The essence of the art form is principled out in the book. I’ve been raving about this book since I first read it in 2017, lent my hand-me-down copy, and bought my own last week to do a little book club w my gf. We enjoy watching episodics and movies and have a great time articulating why we think stories are great. I’m super excited diving back into this book again especially w a partner.In my over simplified, outsider opinion, this book is THE formula, the “bible” so to say, of the who what where when and most importantly WHY of scripting for screen.Just buy it. Buy two copies and gift one to your writing buddy or a director u work with. Heck, buy 3 copies and keep on in the car or at the office. Again, ~25$ - wow.If u want to get your script funded - this is the next place for you to go. Scripts are picked up bc they will sell, and in order to sell they have resonate universally. This book explains the essence, the principles of the art form of script writing. If you really think you have what it takes to be an all star writer then digesting this book should 100% fun for you.Just my 3 cents... again I have no plans of writing and I’m not a writer. But I enjoy the art form and I respect the mastery of technical and creative that blend as genius and excellence. For me, having this knowledge has made stories on screen that much more enjoyable as I watch the principles outlined in this book play themselves out like clockwork.I hope I’ve made it clear how magnificent and remarkable this book is in both knowledge and presentation. The hugest shoutout to Robert McKee and his wife who apparently edited this. And shoutout to all the other people behind the scenes on making this book happen. It’s brought me tons of joy, entertainment, knowledge and invigoration. And quite honestly had widened my perspective of the human condition and life itself.Just buy it, and read it. Take notes. Study it. Use it. Capitalize on it if script writing and story telling is in your cards.And if u love this book as much as I do let’s start a club lol.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good...

T.F. · July 22, 2025

Robert Mckee has a series of books on writing of which this is one. I will read this just before I write and I want to hone a section of my work. In this case story. It is helpful to scan the book before I write to hone my focus on a particular topic.

5.0 out of 5 stars The most excellent book I have found on the subject of how "story" is done

R.K. · July 24, 2025

The most excellent book I have found on the subject of how "story" is done. The way it is written made it easy for me to grasp and understand. His other books I did not connect as well with.

5.0 out of 5 stars ACTORS: You should read this book!

t.f.r.b. · November 8, 2017

There are several reviews which explain this CD better. I am only add my own because I do believe this would be a very important read for any actor.In my younger days, I had the acting bug and I read several books on "scene analysis" and such. These always left me disappointed as there seemed to be something missing. This book has shown me what that is, an understanding of how the "scene" fits into the "play" (read, "story").This book/CD presents a cogent theory of story and, more importantly, clearly shows how an actor's beats should be analyzed and, thereafter, how a scene, sequence, act and play show be analyzed to understand the author's intention and, thereby, understand what the actor should focus on in such beat, scene etc. in order to successfully "act" the play.It also clarifies a distinction many young actors fail to note: there is a difference between a character and characterization. So, if you have been confused by the "old chestnut" that "plot is character and character is plot", then after reading this book you will know that your confusion is because you wrongly saw a character as his mannerisms (something actors are very prone to do) and failed to see that character is revealed by what a person chooses to do nor do not, and is not revealed by what they wear, how they talk, nor even by what they actually say (unless, what they say is different from what they do).Simply put, "actions speak louder than words". Too often, actors get caught up in the words and fail to realize they are actually hired more to show the "action" than to "meaningfully" recite the "words".Finally, if you have heard as often is said about a story, that something changes in the protagonist's life which leads him to venture forth, where "obstacles" get in his way before he is confronted with the thing or choice which will "scratch" the "itch" which led him to venture forth and, having climactically confronted such thing/choice, a resolution to the protagonist's "itch" allows him, although he is now changed inside, to return to a somewhat normal life; this book does a very good job of explaining what that all actually means and how to go about making it happen. If you are an actor, understanding the writer's craft can only help you in understanding the strengthens and weakness of a play and it, more importantly, your character's purpose in the story.I wish I had read this book "back in the day", I would have been a much better actor and maybe sustained my passion for the craft.(In truth, I did have the book back then but found it too wordy and, so, never got beyond the first 100 pages. So, if you also do not like reading "craft" books, then I would recommend getting the CD version. It is abridged, however, it seems fairly complete and I understood the theory better when I heard it than when I read it. However, to each their own.)

La référence absolue

P. · February 5, 2013

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Si vous êtes intéressé par le storytelling, alors vous n'avez aucune excuse pour ne pas avoir Story dans votre bibliothèque!Le style est fluide et agréable, de nombreux films sont cités.Mais il y a quelque chose dans Story que je n'ai pas trouvé dans la majorité des livres prétendant vous apprendre quelque chose, que ce soit dans l'univers de la narration ou non : un contenu apparemment inépuisable, pas abstrait du tout, et orienté sur la pratique.Arrivé à la page 119, j'avais déjà pris une dizaine de pages de notes en parallèle, tant le contenu est dense. Story fait 419 pages, en dehors des diverses annexes. Et l'ensemble délivre des techniques de narration pour valider ou non la qualité de vos scènes et de la construction de votre histoire.Lire Story une seule fois ne sera pas suffisant, c'est une bible sur laquelle vous aurez souvent envie de revenir.Notez que ce qu'enseigne Robert McKee ne s'applique pas qu'au screenwriting pour le cinéma (Je pense particulièrement aux romanciers) !

Fantastico!

A.C. · October 4, 2024

Esattamente quello che cercavo. Anzi, di più.

Must buy (if you wish to write a screenplay)

P.S. · February 1, 2022

Great book for anyone who wishes to learn about screenwriting for films. Story by Robet McKee is the Bible of screenplay writing.

Not perfect but the best of its kind

W. · January 7, 2013

This book is by no means perfect - but its still one of the best (maybe THE best) about the topic of "story".WHY IT ISN'T PERFECT:1) The book starts with pages and pages of facts and theory that are quite obvious. You read page after page and say "Yes, he's right, that's true", and it is, but its meaningless. Even if this is the first time in your life you think about "story". But if you continue reading, the pages start bearing more significance. Would have been better with just 200 pages instead of 400.2) Although the book has the word "structure" in its title, the books own structure is horrible, if not completely absent. If you really want to "work" with the book, its probably a good idea to write down the essence of the book in short notes and give them your own structure afterwards.3) McKee is very dogmatic. Obviously he has an incredible (philosophical) knowledge about the topic. Enough to make him a story guru in my opinion. But dogmatic statements are never a good idea. And with some statements I think, he's wrong. But honestly that doesn't really matter, because ...WHY IT'S STILL THE BEST BOOK ABOUT STORY:1) ... Even if McKee might be wrong with some of his claims (in my opinion), the great achievement is, that without McKee pointing out some aspects, I had never given them a single thought. So no matter if you share all of his opinions or not - while reading his book, you start to think about "story" in a new and different way. That's brilliant. And even if you contradict - you almost certainly learned something new and valuable. But the point is: don't just shovel the pages into your brain like a bowl of Kellogg's Frosties. Think, criticize and question everything. Make your own mind! This book teaches you how to walk and stand on your own two feet. But like any good father who teaches you to follow into his footsteps, in order to become a real successor, first the father has to die.2) McKee covers every aspect of "story" there is. If you re-structure the book a bit, it will you provide you with an in-depth "how-to" instruction. And its a great tool to analyze your or other stories.3) The book is mainly about blockbusters. Big Hollywood movies. Its not about "how stories work" but about "how Hollywood movies work". At first this might look like a flaw. Especially if you're bored of the Hollywood story telling style. But actually its not a flaw but a very good thing: You learn how and why these blockbusters work and you learn why and when they bore you. I you want to write an intelligent, individual avantgarde story there is no "how to" instruction anyway (or it would be pointless). You have to do this by yourself. But you have to know and understand the conventions of your craft first. Its like painting. You have to learn to paint photo-realistic before you can successfully do abstract art (have a look at Picasso and van Gogh and their early work). Which means: If you do not want to write a Hollywood blockbuster - read this book and learn what you have to avoid (or to include).

Must have if you want to get into screen writing

A. · September 19, 2025

A classic for screenwriting. If you're interested in writing this book should be one of your starting points. It doesn't matter if you want to write a novel, script, comics, this book will help to you.