The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction [Hardcover]

Phil Hardy (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

This magnificent, fully illustrated volume contains critical accounts and complete statistical information on nearly 1,500 science fiction films, from the genre's beginnings, with such classics as Fritz Lang's Metropolis to the state of the art films of the '90s. The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction is also the first book to be fully international in scope, with films from not only the United States and Europe, but also Japan, Australia, Russia, and South Korea. Appendices include critics' top tens, top-grossing science films and science fiction Oscar winners. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 478 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879515163
• ISBN-13: 978-0879515164
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,281,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy two...you'll wear the first one out!, June 26, 2005

By 

A. Gammill (West Point, MS United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction (Hardcover)

I've had this excellent book for several years, and I still go back to it at least once a month to look something up. There is simply no more complete reference guide to science fiction films available. Think you know science fiction cinema? Prepare to be humbled by the sheer volume of this book. I especially appreciate the reviews of the early, silent films, many of which we will probably never get to see.

Some of the reviews are better thought-out than others. And you may occasionally marvel at how a film you were sure was an all-time classic only gets a mediocre review. But these are minor quibbles for an otherwise excellent volume.

If you're a fan of sci-fi films, you absolutely MUST own this book. Yes, it's pricey, but it also might be the last film reference book you will ever need.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Science Fiction encyclopedia, October 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction (Hardcover)

Phil Hardy's excellent endevour to catalogue the films of, primarely, Hollywood reaches it's peak with the Horror and Science Fiction books. They both reveal a genuine interest in the media and, as an information non-digital database, these two items are the ultimate choice for collectors and horror/SF aficionados. Where Leonard Maltin says goodbye, Phil Hardy says hello. These items can be used either as a coffeetable companion, or as an encyclopedia for the serious movie-fan. There are some european films that deserves mentioning that have been omitted, but in view of the overall care in which way theese books have been presented, the omissions are readily excused. Tony Fischier

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding reference work!, January 27, 2001

By 

Robert Godwin (Burlington, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction (Hardcover)

This really has to be recognised as a monumental reference work. The sheer breadth of material found and reviewed by Hardy is extraordinary. I will be using this book for years to come.