English Gothic: Classic Horror Cinema 1897-2015

If you have any interest in horror films, this is a must buy.Looking back to the early days pre 1900, right up to the present 2015. Rigby divides the book into 7 main chapters focusing each one in year segments, ie chapter 1 1897-1953 right up to chapter 7 2000-2015. The bulk of the book concentrates on what Rigby defines as the peak years for brit horror, the 60's and 70's. The book covers several hundred films, but gives a more detailed critique of the top 100 'major/landmark films' ,all between 1954-75. This is a fine, but it would have been a good idea to perhaps critique another 20 or so in this style up to the present day, maybe a top 20 or so of modern horror.Minor quibble aside, a really enjoyable read with many picts throughout. Particularly like Rigby's writing style, concise with many personal views, all interesting to read.

Quite simply the most detailed and comprehensive history of British horror films imaginable. The scope is breathtaking, from the early days of silent cinema to this year's (2015) Woman in Black 2. Rigby weaves his insights into a narrative telling the story of horror cinema in these isles, focussing on key films (and not just the obvious ones) on the way. This edition has been updated to cover the mini renaissance of British horror cinema in the new millennium. This new section's interest is slightly marred by the mixed quality of the films released in this period, but their coverage ensures the definitiveness of the work. Two appendices are added, one capturing the marginal cases not covered in the main text and another explores TV's small screen chillers. An engrossing read for the connoisseur and a great overview for those wishing to delve deeper into our Gothic cinematic heritage.

Best overview of British horror films I have ever read. I cannot praise this book enough, so I won't bother trying. Want to know anything about British horror? Buy this book. Very nicely laid out and easy to read. Brilliant. Before you ask, I have never met the author and I do not work for the publisher. It's just that I have been waiting for a book like this for, well, always.

Another good book by Rigby although I do not like people giving their opinions on films as they very often do not agree with mine. The last chapter on very recent movies included many films I have never heard of and probably will only possibly only see on the Horror Channel.

Absorbing, thorough, an entertaining read - many call this book definitive on British Horror, and I'm not going to disagree.

Only just received this book yesterday but already well into Chapter 3. Brilliantly written with in-depth reviews of classic British horror films as well as a detailed history of the British horror film from the late nineteenth century right up to 2015. A one stop shop for any horror enthusiastic - superb!

If you had to live on a desert island with only one book about English horror cinema (and TV), this is the one you take. Mr Rigby hits it on all levels. He is erudite without being pretentious. He goes directly to the point, straightening out vague concepts championed by other authors such as David Pirie. He is always firm but fair in his analysis. Highly recommended.

This was an excellent account of British classic horror cinema, covering the period from 1897-2015. This new revised edition following the 1st one of 2000, now included a comprehensive section on TV horror, detailed source notes, & a valuable film title index.