The book uses case studies to illustrate the lifecycle of these ""unmade movies,"" analyzing the historical, social, and economic factors that contributed to their demise. It offers insights into risk management and creative decision-making, highlighting how these failures can serve as valuable lessons for filmmakers and historians. The analysis, supported by archival documents and interviews with industry professionals, moves from an introduction of pre-production challenges to specific examples of abandoned projects, culminating in a discussion of recurring patterns of failure.
This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding both the artistic and economic sides of filmmaking.