The Film Encyclopedia: Third Edition (3rd ed) (Paperback)

by Ephraim Katz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

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

From Booklist
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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Product Details

• Paperback: 1520 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference; 3rd Rev edition (February 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006273492X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062734921
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,945,431 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It is NOT a FILM encyclopedia, January 18, 2002

By	Michael J Riezenman (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Film Encyclopedia, 4th Edition: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of World Cinema in a Single Volume (Paperback)

A word of warning to the public. This is a mistitled book. It is NOT a film encyclopedia. You cannot look up specific films. Basically, it is a collection of brief biographies of people in the movie business with some unnecessary technical terms thrown in. At the end of each entry is a list of the films in which the subject has appeared.
Fine as far as it goes, but if you want reference work in which you can look up who played the role of Bubba in Le plus Vieux MŽtier du Monde, this is not it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Hollywood people guides ever -, January 30, 2005

By	Peter J. Smith "Pjay" (Clifton, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Film Encyclopedia, 4th Edition: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of World Cinema in a Single Volume (Paperback)

Some of the people who have rated this low do not understand the book's mission. This is a book of biographies of most all important Hollywood movers and shakers. It is sorted by the last name of the person, not by film. So put this next the LM's movie guide (sorted by film) and you have the ultimate cross reference set.

Bios are well written and relevent. Details of minor roles are included that are missed in many other books. Inludes actors, directors, writers and a number of other significant people.

One of the best features of this book is its historical nature, that it does not throw flash in the pan actors like Leo and JLo in until they show some legs. Once a star is truly established, they are added. I like this a lot in that it keeps the clutter out.

P

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The single best book of its kind, ever!, September 5, 2001

By	Charlotte Vale-Allen (CT USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Film Encyclopedia, 4th Edition: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of World Cinema in a Single Volume (Paperback)

Since its original publication, I have used this book both as a movie lover and as a writer. As a movie lover, it's a never-failing source of obscure information. Can't remember the name of the movie, and only remember its star? You'll find the answer here. Want to know what a grip does? Looking to discover how many films were made by Howard Hawks or Howard Hughes? What's a dolly? What's a key light? The answers to some of the most obscure questions about moviemaking reside in this brilliant compilation of facts about films and the people who make them--everyone from the best boy to the stars. As a research resource, it's invaluable. To satisfy that nagging question about some film you saw with James Cagney, get the Film Encyclopedia. Next to the Cinebooks Library, this is the single most important book to own. Nothing before it and nothing after it will ever contain a similar wealth of information. This is a must-have volume.