Amazon.com Review
When I reviewed the second, 1994 edition of
The Film Encyclopedia, I called it
the basic reference guide to international cinema. Most film encyclopedias are hybrid works, compromised by an editorial staff that must make compromises to satisfy competing sensibilities.
The Film Encyclopedia was written by a single individual, editor Ephraim Katz, and his personality and charm, his vast knowledge and love of cinema shone through every entry. Alas, Katz died in the early nineties, but this third edition, which retains most of his original prose, remains true to his vision. It thus holds on to its exalted place in the vast universe of movie reference guides, even as its new editors have updated the relevant entries through the end of 1997.
Well-written, user-friendly, and bursting with essential data, famous stories, and terrific trivia, this book is the most intelligent and accessible film companion available, a must for every movie lover. Its chief assets are its in-depth entries on actors, directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, and editors, which come complete with date and place of birth as well as an extensive filmography. You can also read the cinematic history of every major film-producing country; look up technical terms like "boom," "dolly," and "Steadicam"; and find the meaning of those illusive phrases that appear so often in movie credits, assignations like "gaffer," "key grip," and "best boy." Whatever the extent of your movie knowledge, whether you're a burgeoning cineaste or a long-time expert, you'll find yourself turning to this superb volume again and again. --Raphael Shargel
For the last 15 years, the first edition of this title has served as a dependable source of brief film biographies, definitions of terms, explanations of technical film processes, and more. This second edition continues to provide the same comprehensive coverage, now increased by about 18 percent. Its claim to being an encyclopedia of
world cinema is well founded, as there are entries for Zakes Mokae (South Africa), Pedro Almod{¢}ovar (Spain), Hector Babenco (Brazil), Zhang Yimou (China), Daniel Auteuil (France), and Juzo Itami (Japan), along with Ed Harris and Julia Roberts. As in the first edition, there are no entries for individual film titles. Filmographies are included for major actors and directors, and the biographical sketches include not only those two job titles but also composers, producers, screenwriters, art directors, cinematographers, etc. Of particular interest are the overviews of the film industry in individual countries, which provide the names of notable actors and directors and the titles of their films. Coverage of the U.S. film scene is up-to-date, biographical entries are provided for the likes of Linda Hamilton, Kirstie Alley, Sean Young, Tim Robbins, Debbie Allen, and Kyle MacLachlan. Indeed, the biographical entries are the mainstay of this work, which notes even 1993 and 1994 deaths of film notables.
Katz, author of the first edition, lived only long enough to complete about three-fourths of this new one. Those who followed him have fulfilled his original aim to produce "the most comprehensive one-volume encyclopedia of world cinema ever published in the English language." This is one instance where the content is accurately depicted by the cover blurb. Recommended for any reference collection in need of a world view of film.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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