The landscape of cinema is ever-changing, none more so than now; it’s currently facing its biggest threat in its history – streaming, which is changing how people watch films now.

There were three men, all of whom were friends, that in their own way have led the industry to where it is now: Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.

Paul Fischer’s book is a remarkable telling of their story. It follows them at the start of their careers in the seventies, on the West Coast in Los Angeles, with their careers not only over-lapping, but supporting each other to a degree; George Lucas, for example, found himself working for Coppola on his 1968 film Finian’s Rainbow, starring Fred Astaire.

It then follows them on their intertwining journey, where they would take turns conquering box office records around the world.

It’s material that could have been heavy-handed, but Fischer’s approach is wonderfully accessible, so much so that it often flows and feels like a work of fiction. Characters come in and out of their stories, such as a guest starring role for Martin Scorsese, for example, as well the women in their lives, who make an impact on them all, with destructive circumstances in some cases.

It’s with these anecdotes, often taken from those closest to them at the time, that shine a new light on them; from being iconic Hollywood directors, to being mere mortals, feeling vulnerable, betrayal, and hurt feelings from tumultuous friendships.

And of course it covers the mega-hits, that cemented them as serious players in Hollywood, all making their studios the kind of money they could only ever dream of making before. So much so that their work created the term ‘blockbuster’, which still exists today.

Their legacy would go on to build the foundations for cinema climate of the franchise, and superhero flicks, that have defined generations of cinema-going, for better or worse.

As a historical genre, it’s impressive that with Fischer’s style it’s such a gripping page-turner; it plays out like many of their films, following the journey of their heroes, facing adversity in many forms, as they claw their way to the top, defeating whatever challenge comes their way.

Even if you’re aware of all three directors and their cinema-changing body of work, Fischer’s account brings their box office figures and stats to life, making it revealingly personal, that you may well see them all in a new light.

If you have a general interest in cinema, and specifically those who not only made history in the industry, but changed it forever, this book is one helluva blockbuster.