The Horror Film

by Peter Hutchings

The Horror Film is an in-depth exploration of one of the most consistently popular, but also most disreputable, of all the mainstream film genres. Since the early 1930s there has never been a time when horror films were not being produced in substantial numbers somewhere in the world and never a time when they were not being criticised, censored or banned. The Horror Film engages with the key issues raised by this most contentious of genres. It considers the reasons for horror's disreputability and seeks to explain why despite this horror has been so successful. Where precisely does the appeal of horror lie? An extended introductory chapter identifies what it is about horror that makes the genre so difficult to define. The chapter then maps out the historical development of the horror genre, paying particular attention to the international breadth and variety of horror production, with reference to films made in the United States, Britain, Italy, Spain and elsewhere. Subsequent chapters The Horror Film throws new light on some well-known horror films but also introduces the reader to examples of noteworthy but more obscure horror work. A final section provides a guide to further reading and an extensive bibliography. Accessibly written, The Horror Film is a lively and informative account of the genre that will appeal to students of cinema, film teachers and researchers, and horror lovers everywhere.

Genres: Film, Horror, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quasi-textbook on horror films, Hutchings' book provides a primer on how to view horror. It isn't intended to be comprehensive, but it does give a good overview on defining what horror is and what monsters are. The book also discusses the psychology of horror and examines the viewer of such movies as an object of study. Horror is often a matter of "otherness" and Hutchings considers the role of difference in the genre. From the side of production, he looks at sound in horror movies and how performance of the roles plays out. He spends a couple of chapters on the post-1970 horror and the advent of the slasher film.

Not intended to say everything there is to say about horror movies, this is a very good introductory guide to the topic. Although marred by the election of 2016, I did write a little bit more about it on my blog: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.

[Lexie Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read for a class, it was very informative, but still an academic work, not riveting in terms of "enjoyability"

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This film study book follows a different path due to the film fan approach taken by the author. The book begins with the perfunctory introduction to what comprises a horror film. The author handled this difficult task can be handled with an open-ended definition and mapped out the historical development of the horror genre. What I liked about this book was the breadth of the horror films mentioned and dissected. One can tell that the author, a horror film fan included many films that were favorites of his. He also spends time on the different kinds of monsters, villains, henchmen and settings of the various films. Mr. Hutchins also delves into the audience appeal and cultural significance of the horror films. One can sense and tell that the author revels in the horror films of the late-1960s through the 1980s. The variety of films mentioned and the awe of the author make this a fun and entertaining read for a true film of the horror film.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hutchings broadly presents the development of the genre and it's sub-genres, covering the various critical perspectives on it. This book is excellent. I wrote a critical analysis for the slasher film and this book was indispensable in gaining a broad understanding of the horror genre. Should be required reading for any horror buff.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars are for the last two chapters: "Modern Horror and the 1970s" and "Slashers and Post-Slashers".

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way the author walked you through the analysis with plenty of examples to reference. At times it was a bit wordy.

[Ronnie Herrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Only final in the sense that Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter and Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare are final"