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The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series, the Myths, and the Movies
The Complete X-Files is a declassified look at all nine seasons of the American Peabody and Emmy Award-winning science fiction television series created by Chris Carter. Delve into the mystery and myth of X-Files with in-depth looks at its entire television run, the first X-Files film, and the upcoming cinematic sequel. X-Files creator and producer Chris Carter takes us into the never-before-seen archives with explanations of unsolved plots, discussions of the FBI's paranormal investigations, scene by scene breakdowns of popular episodes, and insider information on both the previous and upcoming X-Files films. Discover the mystery behind Mulder's alien abduction, Scully's secret objectives, the designs of the shadowy "Cancer Man," and the full truth about the Mytharc episodes. Includes many bells and whistles, such as gatefolds, alien and monster charts, alien and monster cards, movie posters, a secret dossier, Mulder and Scully booklets , and more! The Complete X-Files will captivate fans and sciencefiction audiences, proving that nothing is what it seems and that "the truth is out there."
- GenresNonfictionTvReference
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 29, 2021
Could’ve had some more interesting pictures and details and the font was so small!!! But I love the X-Files and I will take anything of this series I can get
October 3, 2016
As a fan of the original X-Files and the reboot, I was so excited to be granted permission to read an ARC via NetGalley. It is chock full of juicy history of the casting and filming of X-Files. I had forgotten many things about the series over the years, and it was fun to see what went on behind the scenes. I was most excited to read about "Cancer man" - the fellow always smoking a cigarette that other and I discussed. I believe that any fan of X-Files would love to have this book. I know that I will be purchasing it to refer back to time and time again!
September 20, 2016
I received the ebook in exchange for an honest review on netgalley.
In the past I was a really emersed x-files watcher. This book brought me back to that time. I loved reading stories of behind the screens of the different parties and that they touch ground over the different seasons...
In the past I was a really emersed x-files watcher. This book brought me back to that time. I loved reading stories of behind the screens of the different parties and that they touch ground over the different seasons...
December 15, 2024
I've loved reading about how the show was made, the hard work it took and the great family all the staff members formed. I love the pictures, the interviews, everything. I don't know if there will be a new edition with season 11, but I hope it will. I really recommend it to all the philes out there.
October 8, 2020
The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Chris Knowles, Matt Hurwitz, Frank Spotnitz (Foreword) is the authorized "debriefing" of the series to include this summer's season 10. Having an advance e-copy of the book I did not have access to high-quality photos or information past season six.
The X-Files can be traced back to Darren McGavin's Kolchak: The Night Stalker. A supernatural show I enjoyed as a child. However, nothing since the Rockford Files has caught my attention like the X-Files. It was a show I waited for every week and even watched the returns hoping to catch something I might have missed in the original run. It is also the only television series I bought on DVD and I have watched it over and over again. I have even read a few X-Files novels.
The Complete X-Files is filled with photographs of from behind the scenes of the cast and support. Each episode gets at least a short paragraph as a synopsis or a back story. A few had what was new information to me like in the episode called "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man". Frohike was originally supposed to die while in the Cigarette Smoking Man's gun sight. The bits and pieces on episodes are interesting. Some the background on the making of the episode or how well the episode fared. "Home" starring the Peacock family was barred from re-airing because it was so disturbing. Entertainment Weekly gave the "The Field Where I Died" an "F" despite the outstanding acting of Kristen Cloke.
The Complete X-Files will give the reader an inside pictorial look at the series as well background on the show, the actors, the writers, and Chris Carter. This will make a nice coffee table book for any X-Files fan as well as a quick reference guide. Nicely done and will serve any fan well.
The X-Files can be traced back to Darren McGavin's Kolchak: The Night Stalker. A supernatural show I enjoyed as a child. However, nothing since the Rockford Files has caught my attention like the X-Files. It was a show I waited for every week and even watched the returns hoping to catch something I might have missed in the original run. It is also the only television series I bought on DVD and I have watched it over and over again. I have even read a few X-Files novels.
The Complete X-Files is filled with photographs of from behind the scenes of the cast and support. Each episode gets at least a short paragraph as a synopsis or a back story. A few had what was new information to me like in the episode called "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man". Frohike was originally supposed to die while in the Cigarette Smoking Man's gun sight. The bits and pieces on episodes are interesting. Some the background on the making of the episode or how well the episode fared. "Home" starring the Peacock family was barred from re-airing because it was so disturbing. Entertainment Weekly gave the "The Field Where I Died" an "F" despite the outstanding acting of Kristen Cloke.
The Complete X-Files will give the reader an inside pictorial look at the series as well background on the show, the actors, the writers, and Chris Carter. This will make a nice coffee table book for any X-Files fan as well as a quick reference guide. Nicely done and will serve any fan well.
September 10, 2023
Nice glossy pictures punctuate this love letter of a coffee table book to a series that I've grown to have a bit more disdain for over the years, especially that reboot series. Could have had more of an impact if it didn't overstay it's welcome. It was often cheesy. I don't like what they eventually did with many characters, killing off The Lone Gunman, making Reyes CSM's caretaker, and yes, resurrecting CSM to boot. Perhaps a bit too much hype going into too many heads was inflating egos as well. In retrospect, this series, and many episodes, were not as great as I remembered, and despite liking Mulder and Scully, and Doggett and Reyes, and individual characters, episodes, or moments, it wasn't consistently wonderful and went on for longer than it should. That last movie is a prime example.
January 9, 2024
I just finished a complete re-watch of The X-Files (excluding the disappointing 2nd feature film), so this seemed like a good time to read The Complete X-Files. The book is a fun nostalgia trip for X-Files fans. Published to coincide with the release of 2008's I Want To Believe, The Complete X-Files lacks any information on Seasons 10 and 11. (Unless there's a revised edition I'm not aware of?) The book's font is so tiny, I almost needed a magnifying glass at times. And a lot of the text is simply episode summaries - I would have liked more interviews and behind-the-scenes discussion. Still, many photos are well presented and, for us fans, this book is easy to like.
July 20, 2024
Font is really, really small. It's basically an overview of how the show was put together, how some episodes came to be, their influences, etc. The photos seem random. Some of the stories were interesting, but most was really, really dry matter of fact statements and dull. It's obvious this was put together as a promo for the 2nd movie, I Want to Believe. This book was written before seasons 10 & 11.
October 12, 2016
To some this is just a 2008 book, updated with a small foreword by Chris Carter, and a ghost-written chapter about the 2016 rebirth of the series. But it's a lot more than that. I too had a lot of passion for the X-Files when I was younger, and I remember both it and the non-fiction guides to the series that used to come out at its peak popularity. This successfully recognises it can look back at the whole series with hindsight, and ignore aspects of those books. As a result it drops all the production details of every episode that can be easily clicked-on online, and gives us a clearer story of the whole series, and all the relevant events, on-screen and off. Interview access seems sterling, both then and (to some extent) now, which is perhaps why it kind of glosses-over various things, such as David's prevalence for giving story ideas and directing while saying the acting job was tiring him out, and the wage gap the stars suffered. Still, the pictorial content has to get 10 out of 10, although I didn't take to some of the comments from the caption-writers. It won't exactly surprise the elements of geekdom the series still maintains, but it will appeal to many people among the rest of us.
December 18, 2017
Awesome book. We love the pictures and being able to take a trip to the past and remember the episodes and stories told. There are so many wonderful photos and facts and stories to read within this book and it is beautifully done! This is perfect for every X-Files fan and is a must have!
October 10, 2016
The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition by Chris Knowles, Matt Hurwitz, Frank Spotnitz (Foreword) is the authorized "debriefing" of the series to include this summer's season 10. This has great pictures and information and behind the scenes information on all seasons , including season 10 which was this past summer 2016.
The photos are very high quality, and these are photos that I did not have access to using the internet to look up. I loved how the author was able to find stories that aren’t currently out there about The X-FILES. The X-FILES tell how it got its name which goes back to Kolchak: The Night Stalker which is before my time but is something for me to look up and want to watch.
These are all episodes that I loved growing up and can remember watching, from One Breath to Firewalker to the scariest episode “Home” which was not allowed to re-air due to the nature at that time of the content. In today’s society, it could be rerun but back then , it would not allow to be re-aired.
This was a stunning and fantastic visual book that gives interesting information for fans of the show. As a die hard fan, I loved it and would recommend this for any and every die hard fan as a must have.
My rating: 4.5 stars ****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
The photos are very high quality, and these are photos that I did not have access to using the internet to look up. I loved how the author was able to find stories that aren’t currently out there about The X-FILES. The X-FILES tell how it got its name which goes back to Kolchak: The Night Stalker which is before my time but is something for me to look up and want to watch.
These are all episodes that I loved growing up and can remember watching, from One Breath to Firewalker to the scariest episode “Home” which was not allowed to re-air due to the nature at that time of the content. In today’s society, it could be rerun but back then , it would not allow to be re-aired.
This was a stunning and fantastic visual book that gives interesting information for fans of the show. As a die hard fan, I loved it and would recommend this for any and every die hard fan as a must have.
My rating: 4.5 stars ****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
February 9, 2017
I loved the walk down memory lane. The pictures were vivid and bright and the entire piece was beautifully put together!
October 25, 2021
This is a great book for all XF fans, although the several inaccuracies I spotted could have been corrected upon its reissuing...
January 14, 2017
Outstanding read for a fan like me ! Was so excited when I won this book on Goodreads giveaway. This book has beautiful colored photos throughout that myself and fans will find exciting . Totally packed with so much intriguing and great information that ever fan will love.
July 21, 2015
This is a coffee table sized book but I found it great bathroom reading. I would read a few episode directions and come back to it as needed.
The pictures are great and trace a lot of the shows plus behind the scene set ups with aliens and fantastic make-up. I was a huge fan of the first three seaons of the show and then the change to Sunday nights along with some more questionable directions and repetitive story lines made it less appealing. I admit those early days had some frightening stories making you wonder twice if you'd liked the front door, though most of the creatures could probably just flatten themselves to come in if they wanted to anyway.
I returned to the show in the final season because I'm a fan of actress Annabeth Gish and quickly became a supporter of the new crew of Doggett and Reyes. Really enjoyed Robert Patrick too and I think they were given short shrift in that last season and in the book.
The real purpose of the book is to drum up interest in the 2008 X-Files movie which I still haven't seen. Ignore that and you will still get some interesting backgrouond from everyone involved in the creation and maintaining of what was then ground breaking TV.
One huge error, on the back cover you see a picture of what you believe to be Mulder and Scully in an embrace. Inside the book, the same picture shows you that it's another actress with David Duchovny from a first season episode. Seriously? How could anyone get that wrong.
True X-Filers want to believe and this book helps nurture that in some small way.
The pictures are great and trace a lot of the shows plus behind the scene set ups with aliens and fantastic make-up. I was a huge fan of the first three seaons of the show and then the change to Sunday nights along with some more questionable directions and repetitive story lines made it less appealing. I admit those early days had some frightening stories making you wonder twice if you'd liked the front door, though most of the creatures could probably just flatten themselves to come in if they wanted to anyway.
I returned to the show in the final season because I'm a fan of actress Annabeth Gish and quickly became a supporter of the new crew of Doggett and Reyes. Really enjoyed Robert Patrick too and I think they were given short shrift in that last season and in the book.
The real purpose of the book is to drum up interest in the 2008 X-Files movie which I still haven't seen. Ignore that and you will still get some interesting backgrouond from everyone involved in the creation and maintaining of what was then ground breaking TV.
One huge error, on the back cover you see a picture of what you believe to be Mulder and Scully in an embrace. Inside the book, the same picture shows you that it's another actress with David Duchovny from a first season episode. Seriously? How could anyone get that wrong.
True X-Filers want to believe and this book helps nurture that in some small way.
October 13, 2016
THE COMPLETE X-FILES (Revised and updated edition) by Chris Knowles and Matt Hurwitz is a comprehensive history of the X-files show, from its influences and origins all the way up to 2016 revival of the show. Lots of pictures and unique stories provide a great book for the X-files fan and those wanting to learn more about the TV series.
Knowles and Hurwitz walk the readers through the beginnings of the show, with some stories and insights I've never heard before. They were able to do extensive interviews with the actors, directors, writers, and producers to paint the picture of what it is like working not just on a TV show, but on such a unique one as the X-Files. As the book walks through the seasons, some episodes get a glancing look, while others are really delved into, either because it is now considered on of the best episodes of X-Files ever, or it carries a lot of weight in the grand scheme of what the X-Files are and what they meant to the entertainment world. I also enjoyed reading about all of the guest stars and they were even some anecdotal stories from them that made me laugh.
I can't say that someone who dislikes the X-files would enjoy this book, but even if someone has a minor interest, this book is a lot of fun.
Thank you to Insight Editions, Chris Knowles and Matt Hurwitz, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Knowles and Hurwitz walk the readers through the beginnings of the show, with some stories and insights I've never heard before. They were able to do extensive interviews with the actors, directors, writers, and producers to paint the picture of what it is like working not just on a TV show, but on such a unique one as the X-Files. As the book walks through the seasons, some episodes get a glancing look, while others are really delved into, either because it is now considered on of the best episodes of X-Files ever, or it carries a lot of weight in the grand scheme of what the X-Files are and what they meant to the entertainment world. I also enjoyed reading about all of the guest stars and they were even some anecdotal stories from them that made me laugh.
I can't say that someone who dislikes the X-files would enjoy this book, but even if someone has a minor interest, this book is a lot of fun.
Thank you to Insight Editions, Chris Knowles and Matt Hurwitz, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 8, 2012
I have discovered that, in life, anything that claims to cover everything about something is just flat-out lying to your face. Every time I pick up one of these complete behind-the-scenes books or DVDs, they always seem to deliver less than their promising on their dust jackets.
That being said, authors Matt Hurwitz and Chris Knowles do an admirable job of trying to compile nine seasons and two movies worth of interviews, photos and background into a clear, comprehensive reference book. Sure, they miss some stuff (Heck, some of the episodes are completely glossed over with only a three line synopsis to account for their position in the series order), and yeah, I wish they could have delved deeper into some of the more 'fuzzy' areas of the show's mythology. Still, for what it's worth, The Complete X-Files is still an invaluable addition to any X-Files fans bookshelf. The photographs alone are a great reason to lay hands on this thing but it's also pretty great to 'hear' some of the cast and crew stories with a decade of hindsight. And, for the true die-hard Phile, there are new tidbits of information revealed about the production, stories, cast, characters and crew that I have never seen or heard of anywhere else.
So, make of that what you will. I loved the book and will probably go back to it time and again. A great reference book and highly recommended.
That being said, authors Matt Hurwitz and Chris Knowles do an admirable job of trying to compile nine seasons and two movies worth of interviews, photos and background into a clear, comprehensive reference book. Sure, they miss some stuff (Heck, some of the episodes are completely glossed over with only a three line synopsis to account for their position in the series order), and yeah, I wish they could have delved deeper into some of the more 'fuzzy' areas of the show's mythology. Still, for what it's worth, The Complete X-Files is still an invaluable addition to any X-Files fans bookshelf. The photographs alone are a great reason to lay hands on this thing but it's also pretty great to 'hear' some of the cast and crew stories with a decade of hindsight. And, for the true die-hard Phile, there are new tidbits of information revealed about the production, stories, cast, characters and crew that I have never seen or heard of anywhere else.
So, make of that what you will. I loved the book and will probably go back to it time and again. A great reference book and highly recommended.
September 23, 2016
This book is full of beautiful photographs and behind the scenes tidbits. It would make a great present for someone, but not me…
I am a big X-Files fan. The information provided amounted to a couple of paragraphs for each episode, and I already knew most of it. I have watched every documentary, all of the deleted scenes, episodes with audio commentary and interviews with cast and crew. Basically this book is a memoir.
Considering this is positioned as must read for fans with “insider information” I just expected more. One example is about the season 2 episode Humbug, written by one of favourite writers Darin Morgan; in this episode Gillian Anderson actually ate a live cricket, but this isn’t mentioned in the book.
Also, this may just be because the version I read was an advanced copy, but it really didn’t translate well across devices on my kindle app.
Overall I gave this 3/5 stars on Goodreads. It is a nice book, but not really something for big X-Files fans.
The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition is available from 23rd September R.R.P. £29.99.
I am a big X-Files fan. The information provided amounted to a couple of paragraphs for each episode, and I already knew most of it. I have watched every documentary, all of the deleted scenes, episodes with audio commentary and interviews with cast and crew. Basically this book is a memoir.
Considering this is positioned as must read for fans with “insider information” I just expected more. One example is about the season 2 episode Humbug, written by one of favourite writers Darin Morgan; in this episode Gillian Anderson actually ate a live cricket, but this isn’t mentioned in the book.
Also, this may just be because the version I read was an advanced copy, but it really didn’t translate well across devices on my kindle app.
Overall I gave this 3/5 stars on Goodreads. It is a nice book, but not really something for big X-Files fans.
The Complete X-Files: Revised and Updated Edition is available from 23rd September R.R.P. £29.99.
September 14, 2016
I received this advanced copy in return for an honest review:
As a fan from the very beginning of the show and films, I was very happy to get my hands on this edition and was not disappointed. Updated to include new information about the recent reboot, filled with color pictures and behind the scenes stories about the show. Die hard fans will love it. Really enjoyed how in depth the process was of creating a show like the X-Files in a time where nothing else existed like it in television. The Truth is definitely in this book....
As a fan from the very beginning of the show and films, I was very happy to get my hands on this edition and was not disappointed. Updated to include new information about the recent reboot, filled with color pictures and behind the scenes stories about the show. Die hard fans will love it. Really enjoyed how in depth the process was of creating a show like the X-Files in a time where nothing else existed like it in television. The Truth is definitely in this book....
November 8, 2016
No doubt done just after the nick of time of the series’ return, this retrospective is a nice trip down memory lane, but not much more than that.
It starts out with tons of photos, and carries on throughout. They don’t look all that great in digital, but they get the job done. The best part is that every episode gets at least a paragraph, though nothing in-depth. There’s really nothing wrong with this book, but it pales in comparison to similar ones on Twin Peaks, Back to the Future, and so on that I’ve read recently.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
It starts out with tons of photos, and carries on throughout. They don’t look all that great in digital, but they get the job done. The best part is that every episode gets at least a paragraph, though nothing in-depth. There’s really nothing wrong with this book, but it pales in comparison to similar ones on Twin Peaks, Back to the Future, and so on that I’ve read recently.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
November 4, 2017
It's a heavy, full-color book with a small text size. It briefly describes each episode of the nine X-Files seasons and two movies. Because it contains 200+ episodes, there is not much space for each one — usually new directors, writers, actors are introduced; sometimes operational details are explained briefly; there are often quotes from the staff. So don't expect many details. IMHO the photos are more interesting than the text. It's often confusing to match photo descriptions with the photos.
September 16, 2016
I love the X Files, and when I was given this to review I jumped for joy. This is a book you need to keep with your collection. It is fantastic. Giving you so much information on each episode. I savored every scrap, every page. I am going to be looking for the hardback of this because I must have it. I am a true fan and this is the type of book you want to have.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
March 15, 2015
A guilty pleasure for a long-time fan. Lots of behind-the-scenes commentary, new photos, new insight around why things happened. I had no idea the people behind the show paid that much attention to online forums about it. They also acknowledge that the show really didn't gel until the third season, so if you're in the process of watching it again, give it a little time.
September 17, 2016
I had forgotten how incredible
this show was way back when it
premiered in 1993
This is a great look
back at the groundbreaking series.
merging SciFi and horror
and crime drama
It became a cult phenomena
Still popular over 20 years later
So popular that it even came back
recently for a new series
The X Files was like nothing
else then or now
this show was way back when it
premiered in 1993
This is a great look
back at the groundbreaking series.
merging SciFi and horror
and crime drama
It became a cult phenomena
Still popular over 20 years later
So popular that it even came back
recently for a new series
The X Files was like nothing
else then or now
October 4, 2016
This book is a must have for all fans of the extraordinary, original Sci Fi series.
It adds an extra dimension to them.
In my opinion X Files was and still is the best Sci Fi series ever made.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Insight Editions via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
It adds an extra dimension to them.
In my opinion X Files was and still is the best Sci Fi series ever made.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Insight Editions via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
January 8, 2009
Lots of new and old information about the TV series as well as the two X-Files feature films. Also loaded with tons of never-before-seen photos of the cast and crew and goodies for the fans including posters, storycards, and a copy of The Lone Gunman newspaper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2013
This a fantastic photo homage to the greatest TV show ever made. I was looking for a little more depth to each episode summary but it is a coffee table book after all. What the book does successfully is make me want to return to the start and watch it all over again.
June 14, 2015
I loved reading this book and learning more about the beloved TV series. I love the X-Files and this book made me love it even more. I have a new respect for the writers who worked on this amazing series.
April 6, 2016
Not exactly what I was expecting. It read more like a college English analysis, I guess I was expecting more narrative. The content was great though, extremely detailed analysis of each season and aspect of the show. Just a bit too detailed for me, and I thought I was die hard for x-files.
Want to read
April 26, 2008The perfect companion to the new movie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews