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On Individual Films T to Z
 The Tempest
Julie Taymor
Julie Taymor's The Tempest, with a brilliant cast headed by Helen Mirren as Prospera, offers a gripping interpretation of Shakespeare's tragicomedy, using the resources of contemporary filmmaking to deepen the experience. Here, Taymor's screenplay, adapted from the original work, is illustrated with magical images from the film, to create a new and richly visual edition of many readers' most beloved Shakespeare play. Hardcover, 172 pp. $32.95.
 In
Search of The Third Man
Charles Drazin
Half a century after its opening, The Third Man remains an unquestioned
masterpiece of film artistry and, for many, the greatest British movie ever made.
Whether it is Harry Lime's magical first appearance, or the haunting theme music,
the film contains some of the most memorable moments in screen history. In
Search of The Third Man explores the many myths that over the years
have grown around this extraordinary film, and seeks to unravel the facts from
the fiction. Softcover, 209 pp. $26.50.
 The 39 Steps
Mark Glancy
Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps is carefully examined in this
well-researched film guide. Mark Glancy provides both a detailed historical
contextualization, as well as his own lucidly written critical appraisal
of the film.Softcover, 119 pp. $27.95.
 This is Spinal Tap: Cultographies
Ethan de Seife
Addressing general cinephiles and devoted Tapheads alike, this study considers this classic 'rockumentry' within the contexts of cult cinema, real and mock documentary, Hollywood comedies and musicals, and the history of rock music. This detailed stylistic and comic analysis of the film thus offers new insights into the ardent Cult of Tap. Softcover, 131 pp. $18.95.
 This is Spinal Tap: Music on Film
John Kenneth Muir
From "Big Bottoms" to "Stonehenge", Spinal Tap has remained the greatest fake rock bandsof all time. In this entry in the Music on Film series John Kenneth Muir tracks the history, creation and legacy of one of the most hilarious films of all time. This book definitely goes to 11. Softcover, 138 pp. $14.50.
 This
Is Spinal Tap: The Official Companion
Karl French
Film critic Karl French explains what made This Is Spinal Tap an unforgettable
cult classic. Packed with exclusive material, including the screenplay, movie
stills, contributions from the band members, and extracts from improvised footage
that never made the final cut. This book is essential reading for the Spinal
Tap fan. Softcover, 309 pp. $18.50.
 Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird"
R. Barton Palmer
This book shines light on the complex and fascinating adaptation process that brought Harper Lee's classic novel to the screen. Softcover, 262 pp. $26.00.
2001: A Space Odyssey
BFI Film Classics
Peter Kramer
This insightful study explores the complex orgins of the film, the unique shape it took and the extraordinary impact it made on contemporary audiences. Drawing on new research in the Stanley Kubrick Archive at the University of the Arts London, this book challenges many of the widely-held assumptions about this, one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time. Softcover, 116 pp. $18.00.
 The Making of 2001: A Space Odyssey
Stephanie Schwam, ed.
The broadest and most current book to date to document the film's evolution
- from its inception to its release. $22.50.
 Unforgiven:
BFI Modern Classics
Edward Buscombe
In this book, Edward Buscombe explores the ways in which Unforgiven,
the story of an aging gunfighter who comes out of retirement for one
last job, moves between the requirements of the traditional western,
with it's conventions of revenge and male bravado, and more modern
sensitivities. Softcover, 95 pp. $20.95.
 The
Usual Suspects
BFI Modern Classics
Ernest Larsen
Originally released in 1995, to mixed critical reviews, The Usual Suspects has
gone on to amass a considerable reputation as a bonafide cult classic. Ernest
Larsen looks at the film anew and, in a wide-ranging study, he examines the
film's sophisticated narrative structure and the new spin it puts on genre
conventions and themes. The result is a fascinating account of a film whose
technical accomplishment and fine ensemble acting have made it an undisputed
modern classic of American cinema. Softcover, 95 pp. $19.95.
 Vampyr
David Rudkin
Vampyr Der Traum des Allan Gray (1932) is one of the founding and defining
works of psychological horror cinema, adapted from Gothic stories
by Sheridan Le Fanu, a disturbing narrative of vampirism, obsession
and possession of the soul. But it is also a film directed by Carl
Theodor Dreyer, the revered and legendary Danish director of La
Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1927). In relation to Dreyer's long but often frustrated
career, Vampyr is often thought of as an uneven or disappointing
film. But, according to David Rudkin, this is to misunderstand what
it sets out to do, which is systematically to cut the spectator adrift
in a mysterious world. In a meticulous formal analysis of Vampyr,
Rudkin pinpoints the sources of the film's uniquely disquieting effect. Vampyr remains a profound and troubling artwork concerned at the
last to communicate human meanings in remarkable film imagery. Softcover,
80 pp. $18.95.
 V
for Vendetta: From Script to Film
The Wachowski Brothers
The full breadth of this book includes the annotated script, concept
art, storyboards, costume sketches, hundreds of photos, director's
commentary, film-specific graphics, released and unreleased theatrical
posters,
and,
as a final bow to the hundreds of artisans involved in creating V
for Vendetta, the full film credits. All told, this is a look at
the process of V for
Vendetta, from script to film.
Softcover, 256 pp. $47.00.
 Vertigo
BFI Film Classics
Charles Barr
Released in 1958, Vertigo is Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece. Though it seems
to many to be the director's most personal film, Charles Barr argues that,
like Citizen Kane, Vertigo is a triumph not
so much of individual authorship as of creative collaboration. This carefully
considered examination explores the reasons why Vertigo is
so perennially fascinating to both general audiences and critics and theorists.
Softcover, 87 pp. $18.95.
 The
War of the Worlds
Sourcebooks
In 1938, Orson Welles threw the nation into a state of panic with his
startlingly realistic radio performance of The War of the Worlds.
This is the first book to capture the H.G. Wells story, the Orson Welles
broadcast, and all of the other works inspired by this seminal work of
science-fiction into one volume. A bonus CD, with a recording of Welles's
1938 performance, is also included. Softcover, 265 pp. $31.95.
 Watchmen: The Film Companion
Peter Aperlo
One of the most highly anticipated films of all time, Watchmen is set to take the world by storm and redefine whatwe consider a hero. Featuring interviews with the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes secrets, in-depth background material relating to the world of the Watchmen, and scores of stunning photos, this is the comprehensive guide to the film. Softcover, 190 pp. $22.95.
 Shooting
Water
Devyani Saltzman
In February 2000, Devyani Saltzman, daughter of international award-winning
filmmaker Deepa Mehta, travelled to the holy city of Benares, India,
to work with her mother on Water. But after only a week of shooting,
the film
became the target of a series of politically-motivated attacks. Protesters
destroyed the sets, burned effigies of the director, and made threats
on her life. This is the transformative and inspiring story of the
five-year odyssey to complete the film. Softcover, 278 pp. $26.95.
 West Side Story: Music on Film
Barry Monush
With tremendous detail on the songs, stars and stories of how this classic movie musical was made, this entry into the Music on Film series is a must for fans of the universally beloved West Side Story. In addition to giving background on the history and making of the film, there is also a look at the aftermath of the film's big boom. Softcover, 175 pp. $14.50.
 Pure Imagination The Making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Mel Stuart and Josh Young
Re-visit one of the most enduring of all family films -- Willy Wonka and
the Chocolate Factory -- in this lavishly illustrated, fact-filled book.
Herein are all the intriging stories and entertaining anedotes pertaining to
the pre-production, shooting, reception, and legacy of this unique film. Hardcover,
131 pp., $44.95.
 Winged
Migration
Jacques Perrin & Jean Francois Mongibeaux
With patience, perseverance, and a passion for their subject, Jacques
Perrin and his team of filmmakers and ornithologists spent years following
both individual birds and entire flocks on their yearly pilgramages around
the world. This majestic book furthers the experience of the film, and
offers what is easily the most informative and stunning document ever about
the amazing migratory odysseys of birds. Hardcover, 270 pp. $75.00.
 Withnail & I
Kevin Jackson
Not simply the tale of a booze-fuelled bender in the English countryside
(as many critics were quick to point upon its original release), Withnail & I has
endured the test of time and proven itself to be a bonafide cult classic.
In this enlightening film guide, Kevin Jackson analyses the mood and magic
of the film, its aesthetic sensibility, and its deft balance of comic brilliance
and unflinching drama. Softcover, 95 pp. $20.95.
 Memories
of a Munchkin: An Illustrated Walk Down the Yellow Brick Road
Meinhardt Raabe
One of the last surviving cast members of The Wizard of Oz shares
his memories of making a beloved Hollywood classic. Featuring rare photographs,
behind-the-scenes glimpses and gossip, original promotional material, and more
than 50 specially commissioned illustrations by renowned artists such as Al Hirschfeld,
Jack Davis, Mort Drucker, Sergio Aragones, Greg Hildebrandt, Al Jaffee, and many
others. This is a book that no fan of Oz -- or fantasy illustration -- will want
to be without. Hardcover, 288 pp. $54.95.
 Up
Periscope Yellow: The Making of the Beatles Yellow Submarine
Al Brodax
The producer and co-author of the screenplay for Yellow Submarine recalls
a madcap, frenzied escapade that came to be reflected in an enduring piece
of screen history in Up Periscope Yellow. Brodax's generously illustrated
book is a special gift to fans of the Beatles, of Yellow Submarine and
of spirited, flavourful writing about movies. Softcover, 267 pp. $37.95.
 The
Unauthorized X-Men
Len Wein
After four decades, countless regime changes and a multitude of media incarnations,
the X-Men are still on top. They've taken on not only Magneto and
the Brotherhood of Mutants, and Stryker and his Sentinels, but also
sexism, adolescence
and discrimination and, in the process, given their fans a new way
to look at the world, and at themselves. The Unauthorized X-Men takes
a look at
what's so uncanny, extraordinary and downright astonishing about
Marvel's most popular and enduring superheroes.
Softcover, 215 pp. $24.95.
 Zulu:
With Some Guts Behind It: The Making of the Epic Movie
Sheldon Hall
One of the best-loved and most enduringly popular British films ever made,
Zulu tells the extraordinary story of the Battle of Rorke's Drift of
1879, in which barely 150 soldiers of the British Army in South Africa
fought for twelve hours to defend an isolated mission station against
an attack
by 4,000 highly disciplined Zulu warriors. Here, for the first time,
is
the full story of the making of the film, based on four years of original
research and dozens of new interviews with cast and crew members and
their families. Hardcover, 431 pp. $65.00.
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