Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope
Original price was: $24.99.$17.26Current price is: $17.26.
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From the silent-film era to the blockbusters of today, Horror Unmasked is a fun-filled, highly illustrated dive into the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre.
The horror film’s pop-culture importance is undeniable, from its early influences to today’s most significant and exciting developments in the genre. Since 1990, the production of horror films has risen exponentially worldwide, resulting in impressive ticket sales in the modern day, not to mention how the genre has expanded into books, fashion, music, and other media throughout the world.
Horror has long been the most popular film genre, and more horror movies have been made than any other kind. We need them. We need to be scared, to test ourselves, laugh inappropriately, scream, and flinch. We need to get through them and come out, blinking, still in one piece. This comprehensive guide features:
- A thorough discussion on monster movies and B-movies (The Thing; It Came from Outer Space; The Blob)
- The destruction of the American censorship system (Blood Feast; The Night of the Living Dead; The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
- International horror, zombies, horror comedies, and horror in the new millennium (Matango; Suspiria; Ghostbusters)
- A dissection of the critical reception of modern horror (Neon Demon; Pan’s Labyrinth; Funny Games)
- Stunning movie posters and film stills, plus fan-made tributes to some of the most lauded horror franchises in the world (Aliens; the Evil Dead; The Hills Have Eyes; Scream)
A perfect reference and informational book for horror fans and those interested in its cultural influence worldwide, Horror Unmasked provides a general introduction to the genre, serves as a guidebook to its film highlights, and celebrates its practitioners, trends, and stories.
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68 reviews for Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope
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Original price was: $24.99.$17.26Current price is: $17.26.
NBMom –
This is not merely an examination of important horror movies and actors over the years; it is a seriously thorough, scholarly tome that covers all the great movies, all the great actors, and all the great developments (and setbacks) in the making of horror cinema in the past 130 years. It is expertly written, researched, and presented, with an extensive glossary, bibliography, and index.
That said, this is not some dense tome of industry-speak and jargon; it is eminently readable and enjoyable on its own, even as it serves as an essential guide to the genre.
It is an essential book for every movie lover’s shelves, whether you occasionally dip your toe into the classics or greedily slurp up every new body horror bloodbath that hits the market. Highly recommended!
Audrey –
If you want a broad look at horror films, this book is a great starting point. The chapters are short and very readable. The author provides a good introduction to the genre going back to early silent films including The Golem and Nosferatu and ends up with a discussion of where the genre is headed. Along the way, you get to meet key figures in the genre, including producers, directors, actors, and actresses. The book offers a lot on American and British horror, including folks like Val Lewton and Hitchcock, but also steps out of the American/British films. In addition, to the early European films, there are also chapters on Spanish-language horror films, Japanese monster films, and a chapter on contemporary Japanese and Korean horror films. There are also chapters near the end looking at specific genres such as Zombies. One of my favorite things about the book are the side bars, particularly lists of top films for specific actors/actresses/producers/directors, but also films within genres. Of these, my favorite is probably the list “Best Horror Movies for Scaredy Cats,” a list of films for those who want a good, but not to scary, introduction to the genre. Lots of pictures, including movie posters. It’s available in Kindle and hardback. I’m usually a fan of e-books, but this book is one that does particularly well in hardback, particularly as a gift.
Zounder –
“Horror Unmasked” is a fun and engaging read about the history of horror around the world. The book starts off with the earliest horror film- the forgotten silent horror movies of the 1920s. From there, we transition to the early horror that most people are most familiar with- the work of the likes of Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi in what have come to be known as the “Universal Monsters” movies. Next are the B movies of the 50s and 60s, Hitchcock, and the eventual branching out of horror into the sub genres that still exist to this day.
While a great deal of this book focuses on horror from the U.S., the author also includes horror from around the world, from Spanish language horror, to East Asian horror of the past (Godzilla and classic J-horror) and present (modern J-horror and K-horror).
Fans of horror will be delighted to read about familiar favorites, as well as to discover lesser-known works. Each page is beautifully arranged with movie stills and movie posters, “best of” lists, and fact-filled narrative. The author clearly has a passion for horror that comes through in the stellar research that went into this book.
This book is required reading for avid horror nerds. It would make an excellent gift or coffee-table book.
Pickle for a nickle –
Horror Unmasked: A history of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope by Brad Weismann. This hardcover arrived quickly and was bigger than I was expecting! It’s well made and like new. I wasn’t expecting the indents on the skull eyes. That’s cool.
I’m not a huge horror buff myself but my hubby is. He really appreciated this gift. The author covers everything from the old black-and-white classics that started it all like Dracula, Frankenstein, etc to the more mainstream horror flicks of today with several lesser-knowns thrown in. As I was hoping, hubby even discovered a few movies he hasn’t seen but is excited to find and watch. That’s saying something because he has seen a LOT of horror movies over the years.
Overall, this is a nice staple for horror fans and is going to fit nicely on our coffee table. The text is informative and easy to read but not too in-depth. The pictures are a nice touch and hold your attention tastefully. Hubby wished this book went a bit more into detail about the movies but was happy with it overall.
Paulette –
Gave as a gift this Christmas but took a peek myself first. Really interesting history of the genre and easy to flip through and learn some fun trivia from your favourite movies. I would recommend!
NBMom –
So full of bad opinions one wonders whether it was authored by ChatGPT.
AR –
Not a horror genre aficionado myself but bought the book as a secret santa gift for a friend who is. It looked high quality with great pictures in each spread and I think he really appreciated it! Hopefully has made a good addition to his coffee table.
Pickle for a nickle –
Good quality book at a competitive price. Bought as a gift for my sister and she loved it! Big enough to be a cool display/coffee table book too.
PerdHapley –
Bought as a gift and the recipient loves it
Alec Cizak –
Brilliant book for any keen horror enthusiasts ideal birthday or Christmas party resent well laid out and easy to flick through
Dr. Death –
This was an excellent read and I was delighted to discover it. Author Brad Weismann certainly knows his way around the horror genre. Covering both the written word and plenty of films; Weismann does an admirable job exploring why we love to be frightened. Jammed packed with plenty of color plates and stills this was an excellent addition to my home library. Thoughtful and intelligent writing; highly recommended!