Roman Polanski & Sharon Tate: The Controversial Life of the Director and Notorious Death of the Actress
*Includes pictures
*Includes the couple's quotes about their lives and careers
*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading
*Includes a table of contents
“I can only say that whatever my life and work have been, I'm not envious of anyone, and this is my biggest satisfaction.” – Roman Polanski
“When I was in school, I dreamed about becoming a psychiatrist or a ballerina. Like most girls I would dream about being a movie star too. But those dreams are the impossible kind, the kind you don't really set your heart on.” – Sharon Tate
Few figures in Hollywood’s history have been as acclaimed and controversial as director Roman Polanski, whose legendary films would stand out if not for the fact that they’re often eclipsed by the turbulent life he’s led. The son of Polish parents, Polanski survived World War II despite having both parents transferred to concentration camps during the Holocaust, but his mother was killed at Auschwitz. Despite the terrible ordeal and the loss of his mother, Polanski would grow up to become one of Europe’s best directors, and over the course of a career spanning about 50 years, his films have been nominated for too many awards to count. Given that background, Polanski would represent one of Hollywood’s greatest success stories, but far from having a fairytale ending, more hardships would endure.
In 1969, things were looking up for one of Hollywood’s most marketable actresses. After appearing as a model in fashion magazines and having bit parts on shows during the early part of the decade, Sharon Tate was a star in the making. That summer, she was pregnant with her first child by director Roman Polanski, who had just recently become her husband, and a few months earlier, she had just finished filming The Thirteen Chairs, co-starring Orson Welles.
Tragically, superstardom would never come, and even today, over 45 years later, most details of Sharon’s life and career are completely overlooked by people who continue to be morbidly curious about her murder at the hands of the Manson Family on August 9, 1969. The murders committed by Charlie Manson’s followers transfixed America, and Tate has been inextricably linked to one of 20th century America’s most notorious criminals.
Unfortunately, more controversial things were to come. Polanski was accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in 1977 after a photo shoot in Los Angeles, but he avoided being sentenced by fleeing to France and, despite being controversial and having been subjected to extradition requests by the American government, remains free and occasionally directs films.
Roman Polanski & Sharon Tate: The Controversial Life of the Director and Notorious Death of the Actress examines the life and career of one of the movie industry’s most notorious figures. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Roman Polanski like never before.