The Film Encyclopedia, 4th Edition: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of World Cinema in a Single Volume Book

Most film encyclopaedias are hybrid works, compromised by an editorial staff that attempt to satisfy competing sensibilities. The first Film Encyclopedia was written by a single individual, editor Ephraim Katz, whose personality and charm, vast knowledge and love of cinema shone through every entry. Alas, Katz died in the early 1990s, but this third edition remains true to his vision. It manages to hold 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 film fanatic or a long-time expert, you'll find yourself turning to this superb volume again and again. --Raphael Shargel, Amazon.comRead More