The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series, the Myths, and the Movies [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Matt Hurwitz (Author), Christopher Knowles (Author), J. J. Abrams (Preface), Chris Carter (Introduction), Frank Spotnitz (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1933784806 | ISBN-13: 978-1933784809 | Publication Date: June 16, 2009 | Edition: Limited edition

The Complete X-Files is the only authorized debriefing on all nine seasons of the cult television series and films created by Chris Carter. The book takes readers into Carter's never-before-seen archives, with explanations of unsolved plots, discussion of the FBI's paranormal investigations bureau, breakdowns of popular episodes, and insider information on both X-Files films. In addition to exclusive interviews with the cast and crew, The Complete X-Files features previously unpublished photographs, giving fans a backstage view of the making of the television series and the two feature films. Readers learn the secretive processes by which the creators and crew of the series were able to make episodic television that looked and felt like big-budget Hollywood movies. Each book comes signed and numbered in an exclusive "black oil" limited edition clamshell and includes two prints of Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) from the show's set.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chris Carter is the creator and executive producer of The X-Files; a concept he developed as synthesis of urban myths, conspiracy theory, and stories of extraterrestrial abduction. The X-Files remained a hit primetime evening show from 1993 to 2002, inspiring two movies, video games, and multiple network spin-offs. Matt Hurwitz is a prolific entertainment journalist, having written for Daily Variety, The Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, Videography, The Los Angeles Times, American Cinematographer, Wired, and Fade In. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Hurwitz currently lives in Los Angeles. Chris Knowles is the author of the Eagle Award-winning Our Gods Wear Spandex: The Secret History of Comic Book Heroes. He is also a contributing writer to Classic Rock and an associate editor on the five-time Eisner Award-winning magazine, Comic Book Artist. He lives with his family in New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Insight Editions; Limited edition edition (June 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933784806
• ISBN-13: 978-1933784809
• Product Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.5 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #533,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best X-Files book ever, November 22, 2008

By 

Daniel Geer (Lansing, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series the Myths and the Movies (Hardcover)

"The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series, the Myths and the Movies" was released on November 11th and let me tell you, this is THE book X-Philes have been waiting for. I know that I have been waiting for an official, behind-the-scenes guide to the entire series and the movies for quite some time, and this is definitely it.

I know, I know you're probably saying, "Didn't that show end like 6 years ago?" or "That show lost its appeal years before it actually ended," or "The new movie sucked, right?" Well, whether you think those things or not, I think people need to be reminded just how much of a ground-breaking TV show "The X-Files" was. If you read this book, it'll take you for a trip down memory lane and remind you that this really was one of the greatest shows on TV and similarly did for television what "Star Wars" did for movies. It literally paved the way for quality shows like "Lost," "Fringe," "Heroes," "24," and others. It changed the way TV shows were made (I will say, however, that no show to date has the moody atmosphere of an "X-Files" episode).

This book has it all: Unveiled mysteries, never-before-seen on-location photos, explanations of unsolved plots, discussion of the FBI's paranormal investigation branch, breakdowns of every episode, etc. Basically, just about everything you want to know about the TV Series is in this book, including the two movies! Also included are a few script note cards, a reproduction of a Lone Gunmen newspaper, and three X-Files mini-posters - two for the movies and one "I Want to Believe" poster like the one in Mulder's office.

I'm not sure why Amazon says that this includes things like "alien and monster charts," "alien and monster cards," "Mulder and Scully booklets," etc. It doesn't. But for what it does include, it is really a great book for any X-Phile to own. J.J. Abrams (of "Lost" fame) even writes a preface for this book, as "The X-Files" was one of his main inspirations for film-making. Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz write forwards to the book as well.

It is my hope that future generations who were perhaps too young when the TV series aired will discover this TV series. It was a part of growing up for me, as it first aired in 1993 when I was 13 years old and stayed with me until 2002 when I was almost 22. I plan on raising my eventual kids on a steady "X-Files" diet when they are the appropriate age, and I am hoping that many other parents who were fans of the show will as well. Like "Star Wars," I see this TV show as something to be passed down from generation to generation. Going through this book was like looking through a yearbook of sorts, only it encompasses half of my lifetime. I almost shed a tear when skimming through the full-color photographs of the various memorable episodes of the show. It reminded me of growing up. During those 9 years, no matter how my life changed, Mulder and Scully were always there, always searching for the truth.

If you loved this show when it was on, and still sometimes reminisce about the good ol' days of Mulder and Scully, then this is the book for you. It's a little late coming out, but it was definitely worth waiting for.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars X-PHILE!, November 25, 2008

By 

jill (DE, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series the Myths and the Movies (Hardcover)

Just to preface this, I am a nerdy X-Files fan. And back in the day I made it my business to know unnessary details about the show. So, I do own most of the books that came out about the series (official and unofficial). I was surprised to say the least to find another one coming out. Seemed a little too late -- but I bought it anyway.

If you are expecting an in-depth analysis of the shows and the movies then this is not the book you want. It does comment on every episode of the series but some of these comments are really just a summary of the episode. Some of the key episodes they expand on, with quotes from past cast and crew.

They do not do an in-depth analysis of any of the characters, although there is a discussion about how certain individuals were cast for certain roles and some of those people that originally auditioned for them (or people whom the writers had in mind). I found it odd that they did not address much about the relationships between the actors themselves.

There are a lot of photos, including photos behind the scenes. Although the majority are episode stills and professional photos that have been seen many times before.

However, there are a few errors with some of the information. The most obvious is a Kim Manner's quote about David and Gillian's last scenes with him as a regular on the series that is printed within the description of the series finale.

Overall, I rate this a solid 3/5. It was a good first read but I'm not sure that there is much in the book that a reader will come back to. The extras included: three posters, story cards, a "Lone Gunmen" newspaper are great additons but overall I think they waited to long to publish.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Where's the editor?, December 6, 2008

By 

debunker77 (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete X-Files: Behind the Series the Myths and the Movies (Hardcover)

It pains me not to be able to give this 5 stars, but it is riddled with typos and errors. To the point that the publisher should be embarassed and fans should be insulted. You can't create a book for fans of this show and not be incredibly anal about the editing.

That said, I am a rabid fan with a compulsion to own as much as possible related to the show. And even though I pre-ordered this before knowing about the mistakes, I'd probably still buy it had I waited and read reviews and learned about the careless editing. But if the subject were anything other than XF, I'd return the book. I understand that they wanted to release this close to the DVD release of IWTB, but that's unfortunate for the fans who wanted--and deserved--a well-crafted book of memories.

But it's not all bad! There are reasons for keeping the book. The photos are great. The intros by JJ Abrams, CC, and FS are some of the best reading in the book (and error free!). While the dust jacket design is unimaginative and at times baffling (a large photo of Mulder with Phoebe Green on the back!?), the actual hardcover design is really cool: all black with a glossy taped X on the front and a bee on the back. So chuck the dust jacket and display that awesomeness on your coffee table! And the goodies stuck in envelopes in the front and back covers are a fun surprise.

Hardcore fans will buy this book no matter what. But I think everyone should know what lies in store. The thing is, you read through it once and get upset about the mistakes, but you'll go back to the book again simply to view the pictures.