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Horror
This is the best single volume book on the horror film, the definitive reference work devoted to the subject. It contains entries on every movie even remotely connected to the genre, whether it is a 19-century silent, a grade "Z" schlocker, or an "art" film by the likes of Fritz Lang or Ingmar Bergman. Each entry contains a full list of credits and a descriptive review. Hardy writes about horror movies with such enthusiasm and intelligence that you feel you're getting the low down on the genre from a sincere and learned friend.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 18, 2023
Fabulous reference work devoted to horror movies from as early as 1896 -a two-minute Georges Melies vampire film- up to 1985's "Return of the Living Dead."
The beauty of this book is the detailed summary and information plus expert critiques of the 1300 movies -from all over the globe- that are discussed. Not capsule summaries with emphasis on just the famous films in the genre. Every film including scores of obscure titles -many you have never heard of and many you are probably glad you've never heard of- gets its due in this monumental study.
Large sized book of 400 pages with 450 stills from the Kobal Collection, mostly black and white but also with a 16-page color insert, and a terrific inside cover featuring posters and lobby cards of many of the most memorable horror movies of the past.
The film lovers who compiled this classic deserve the ultimate praise. It truly lives up to the terms: encyclopedia and complete reference work. Indispensable and invaluable for anyone wanting to know more about the old horror flicks of yesteryear.
My review based on the 1986 Octopus (London) edition.
N.B. There is a later edition -updated and expanded- which was published in 1995.
The beauty of this book is the detailed summary and information plus expert critiques of the 1300 movies -from all over the globe- that are discussed. Not capsule summaries with emphasis on just the famous films in the genre. Every film including scores of obscure titles -many you have never heard of and many you are probably glad you've never heard of- gets its due in this monumental study.
Large sized book of 400 pages with 450 stills from the Kobal Collection, mostly black and white but also with a 16-page color insert, and a terrific inside cover featuring posters and lobby cards of many of the most memorable horror movies of the past.
The film lovers who compiled this classic deserve the ultimate praise. It truly lives up to the terms: encyclopedia and complete reference work. Indispensable and invaluable for anyone wanting to know more about the old horror flicks of yesteryear.
My review based on the 1986 Octopus (London) edition.
N.B. There is a later edition -updated and expanded- which was published in 1995.
February 28, 2009
Must have encyclopedia for collector and enthusiast of horror cinema. Exhaustive, complete, with synopsis, cast & crew listings, fully illustrated, gosh kids! Why are you sitting here reading this? Buy it now!
August 28, 2012
indispensable book for all horror lovers. there are some mystifying omissions (like Dawn Of The Dead, why isn't it in here?) but all in all, an excellent resource guide.
February 9, 2008
One of my favorites. Excellent film reviews. A great place to find info on obscure horror films.
May 23, 2015
This is an amazing reference. I use it all the time, and it's more complete than similar works. It's older than the second edition, but it's much more affordable.
November 26, 2020
Unfortunately riddled with psychosexual obsessions. This is at any rate better than the scifi companion...several of the reviews (and it's always the pros btw) do manage to wax rather eloquent.
March 30, 2021
Pre-internet (‘member that!) this was indispensable for me; helped me track down VHS or to go through the TV guide to look up what films to record off the TV.
June 19, 2008
The description says it all. Easily the best horror movie guide I've been able to find.
June 1, 2024
The horror film in perspective from 1896 to 1984. The author did a marvelous job introducing you to all the major picture presenting the essential movie stills every horror fan yearns to see. Every decades had its absolute highlights. Sad to see that the book ends in 1984. He should do a new version from 1985 on. Quintessential stuff for horror film fans. Highly recommended!
July 10, 2017
No se si decir que es la más completa de las enciclopedias de cine de genero . Pero tiene una cantidad importante para los que queremos explorar el cine de horror desde sus comienzos hasta 1992. Una joya.
April 21, 2019
Ottima enciclopedia!
December 12, 2016
Great book for the pre Internet Movie Database era.
January 14, 2008
One of the Overlook series of Film encyclopedias, this one having to to do with horror films. It is a straight forward, if some times dry, but very thorough guide to films. Broken down by year, it is a exhaustively researched guide, up through 1994 and some 1995. The book itself is huge, and is not for casual reading.
January 8, 2008
Indispensable reference. I also own Hardy's Sci-Fi film encyclopedia. A bit dated but has some great entries on lesser-known films from previous decades. My only complaint is that Hardy, et al can be a bit hard on certain films. Sometimes I wonder if they like ANYTHING!
May 23, 2015
It's very comprehensive if rather outdated. There is a newer edition, but it's quite a bit more expensive. I chose to upgrade to the newer one, but this is still an extremely useful book to have around.
February 24, 2008
My bible
April 2, 2008
This is a must for any horror film fan. A good source of reference, and some interesting info on all those silent movies
Want to read
July 16, 2011This is the one Bill has!
May 23, 2015
This is a phenomenal reference book. It's a list of almost every horror film written before the book was published, and I've only ran into a handful that were missing. I use it all the time.
May 18, 2019
Get it. Study it. Then watch every one.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews