The Overlook Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction (The Overlook Film Encyclopedia Series) (Paperback)

~ Phil Hardy (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This encyclopedia of science fiction movies is the most comprehensive and perhaps the best of Phil Hardy's collection (check out The Western and Horror as well). It provides excellent commentary on the hundreds of science fiction films made between 1895 and 1994. Each review also lists the movie's director, star, writer, and most important technical credits. Hardy's treatment of the genre runs the gamut from the sublime to the absurd, covering classics such as Metropolis and Things to Come, popular favorites such as Star Wars and E.T., and the silly excesses of Dr. Breedlove and The Man with Two Brains. The volume also includes a list of science fiction rental champs and important writers and critics' nominees for the best sci-fi films of all time.

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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Overlook TP; Updated edition (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516267
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516260
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #774,460 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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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 (TOP 500 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.

3 of 3 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!, March 29, 2008

By	H TERESA K - See all my reviews

This is an outstanding book. Great reference and all that implies. I like Science Fiction and this book is indispensable. Seems to be little known but it is an outstanding reference work.