Offbeat: British Cinema's Curiosities, Obscurities and Forgotten Gems

by Julian Upton (Editor)

Critics may sing from an over familiar hymn sheet of so-called 'cult films', but there remains an epoch of British cinema still awaiting discovery that is every bit as provocative and deserving of attention. And there could be no finer guide to these uncharted domains than OFFBEAT. This is the book for the more intrepid cinema lover. A passionate, irreverent and informative exploration of British cinema's secret history, from the buoyant leap in film production in the late fifties to the dying embers of popular domestic cinema in the early eighties.

So, move over Peeping Tom, Get Carter and The Wicker Man -- it's time to make way for The Mark, Unearthly Stranger, The Strange Affair, The Squeeze, Sitting Target, Quest for Love, and a host of forgotten gems.

OFFBEAT features in-depth reviews of more than 100 films, plus interviews and eye-opening essays that together tell the wider story of film in Britain, its neglected cinematic trends and its unsung heroes.

The last great British B-movies
Anti-swinging London films
Sexploitation
The British rock'n'roll movie
CIA-funded cartoons
Madness in British film
The Children's Film Foundation
The short as supporting feature
The forgotten journeymen
Non-horror Hammer, and more!

Genres: Film

444 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2013

Reviews

[Richard Luck · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to book about British cult film, Offbeat is right up there with Your Face Here. A gateway to films you've never heard of and picture you've only heard of in passing. Essential stuff.

[Redrighthand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been going through a lot of books on film recently, but this one was a singular goldmine of titles to add to my queue. Just the thing for fans of gritty 70s cinema, and especially films capturing the weird essence of my favorite made-up genre, "British Bleak".

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book reviewing cult and obscure British movies. Some I have seen , others only heard about , but always entertaing to read and very informative too .

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting mostly-overlooked films, plenty of fun trivia about them, a tad too much obnoxious commentary at times. Definitely worth checking out if you like older films and want to find obscure ones.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather like the films it reviews this book is part good,part indifferent and part bad.I reckon that I have seen about three quarters of the films mentioned.There are some that are worth a look at.
One point that I would mention is that the print is incredibly small and I often strained my eyes reading it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and entertaining book. Downside is my must watch list is now massive.