The Horror Film 1st Edition

It's been said (I think by Mark Twain) that a joke is like a frog. You can dissect it to see how it works, but it will lose its life in the process. Is the horror film also like a frog? For Peter Hutchings, the answer is almost. His analysis of horror film - appropriately titled The Horror Film - offers a lot of insight into the genre but doesn't kill enjoyment of it in the process.Hutchings starts off showing that it is difficult to even define what a horror film is. The term really only came into use in the 1930s with the original Universal monster movies, including Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy. Of course, in hindsight, it is easy to see possible horror movies from the silent era, including The Phantom of the Opera, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and The Golem. Is the existence of the supernatural a requirement? If so, what about movies like Psycho or Jaws? As Hutchings illustrates, even a rather clear-cut genre like the western is not easy to define; horror is even harder.Subsequent chapters in The Horror Film look at various elements in the horror film, such as the nature of monsters, the psychology of horror, the use of sound in horror and the differences between "classic" horror and "modern horror" (the latter roughly categorized as beginning with Rosemary's Baby and Night of the Living Dead, when "good" was less likely to triumph). Hutchings introduces us to the theories of other writers as well. Some consider the horror film as statements on race or class or gender differences, and while Hutchings gives such views their due, he also is clear that at times, overanalysis is done.Hutchings is both critical of the horror genre and affectionate towards it. This is not the easiest of reads and is seemingly designed for students of film more than the lay reader (such as myself). That is not to say that others won't get anything out of this, but this is not a quick page-turner. If you are a fan of horror movies and have the patience for this book, you are likely to get something out of it. The Horror Film will allow you to appreciate these movies in a new light.

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.

I've read a handful of books on horror cinema now, and this is the best I've encountered so far. It's a bit of a slog for the first 20 or so pages, but then it picks up. Hutchings's main aim is to explore and even revel in the diversity and richness of horror cinema throughout its history and at any given point in time. As such, we find him frequently pushing back on over-simplified or overly tidy accounts of particular horror sub-genres or historical movements. It's a great place to start for anyone who wants a grounding in the history of the horror film and in the key themes in horror film studies.

Good Quality and fast delivery.The book itself...The class I took has been using this book for almost 9 years so that says something. I personally thought it was a difficult read. It should be an easy enjoyable read considering the topic. There were parts that were informative and then there were parts that were "no, duh." The font is small and there are no spaces. It felt repetitive and just all around meh. I was throwing a fit by the end of each chapter and found it extremely difficult to get into. I will say that there are hardly any other books out there that analyze horror films and I was happy that my textbook was fairly inexpensive.

I needed this for class. It can be a little boring in some chapters and a little hard to understand but overall, it’s pretty interesting. The author does reference a lot of horror films, so this can also serve as an inspiration to watch some of those films if you haven’t already.

I enjoyed reading this informative book. I read this along with "The Monster Show," and I have to say that this book contained much more information about how to analyze the horror genre. Although the pace is slower and the writing somewhat scholarly, the author's passion for film shines through. I feel like I got to know him by the end of the book. If you are looking for an introduction to analyzing horror films, I would read this. If you are looking for an introduction to the history of horror films, I would read, "The Monster Show." Together, they complete a well rounded study of the horror film.

This was for my Horror and Sci-Fi Film Analysis class, and I found it to be an appropriate overview of critically analyzing major films in the Horror Classics as well as the Modern. The author did a good job explaining in detail elements of what characterizes the horror genre, how culture plays a role in influencing the symbolism that pervades classic horror films, and the increased use of violent and sexual images in modern "slasher" films.

Great