Oral History of David Lynch's "Wild at Heart" with new interviews

The Road to David Lynch's Wild at Heart is Scott Ryan's fifth book written about the works of David Lynch. This time the subject is Lynch's fifth film: the 1990 Palme d'Or winner, Wild at Heart. Based on Barry Gifford's novel of the same name and starring Laura Dern, Nicolas Cage, Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton, Isabella Rossellini, and Willem Dafoe, the film split viewers and critics on whether it was deserving of the accolade, or not. Either way, it was his ONLY film to ever take the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Now, over thirty-five years later, the cast and crew look back at the experience and discuss the making of this cult-classic. Read about the infamous torture scene that had over a hundred people in a test screening run for the door. Go step by step through the soundtrack and learn the songs that scored this masterpiece. See never before released photos from the set, donated to the book by several of the crew. Discover how and when The Wizard of Oz started to seep into the script and film. Get a deep dive into changes from the novel to the script to screen to understand how the film was in flux right up until the premiere.

Over twenty-five interviews were conducted and are now amassed for Lynch fans to take a ride on a Lynchian highway of love, passion, music, and the Good Witch. Read about how David Lynch ran a set and created a space where anything can happen. Go back to 1990 when, as Duwayne Dunham (editor) said, "Blue Velvet, the pilot episode of Twin Peaks, and Wild at Heart were David in his prime."

Interviews with

Barry Gifford-Novelist

Sherilyn Fenn-Girl in Accident

David Patrick Kelly-Dropshadow

Eddy Dixon-Rex

Sheryl Lee-Good Witch

Monty Montgomery-Producer

Frederick Elmes-Cinematographer

Duwayne Dunham-Editor

Michelle Bühler-Makeup artist

Frida Aradottir-Hair stylist

Kool Marder-Production manager

Margaux Mackay-First assistant director

Deepak Nayar-Second assistant director

W. Thomas Snyder-Second assistant director

Roger Williams-Art department assistant

Jon Huck-Sound mixer/music consultant

Randy Thom-Sound designer

Rob Sweeney-First assistant camera

Kate Butler-Second assistant camera

Scott Ressler - Second assistant camera

Kimberly Wright-Still photographer

Mary Sweeney-First assistant film editor/script supervisor

David Slusser-Music editor

Kevin Laffey-Music consultant

Heidrun Reshöft-Assistant to producers

Kinny Landrum-Musician

Dean Hurley-Lynch Sound Designer

Charlotte Stewart-Lynch Friend