- Paperback: 1408 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Entertainment; 23rd edition edition (8 Oct 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007260806
- ISBN-13: 978-0007260805
- Product Dimensions: 26.7 x 21.2 x 6.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
225,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #15 in Books > Reference > Consumer Guides > Film
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Product Description
Review
'I just wish I could be as concise, accurate, well balanced and full of love for the movies as Halliwell’s manages to be year after year.' Simon Bates, Classic FM, Christmas 2005
‘At the end of the day, Halliwell’s is top of the pile.’ Film Review
‘The King Kong of movie reference works.’ Mail on Sunday
‘The indispensable reference guide for the avid moviegoer’s bookshelf.’ Empire
‘Often imitated, never bettered.’ Guardian
Product Description
With more entries than any other guide and over one hundred years of entertainment and cinema information at your fingertips, Halliwell’s is widely recognised as the biggest and the best film guide available. This is the undisputed bible for film enthusiasts and trivia buffs everywhere – a must-have for every moviegoer.
Long established as the first and last word in movie-going information, this new-look guide promises to be as cutting edge as it is comprehensive. And as always, it’s a promise that Halliwell’s guarantees to deliver.
This is the longest running guide to the film industry and is fully revised and updated to include hundreds of new films. It is packed with cast and credit information and pithy commentary on the classics of the silver screen, the latest blockbusters, and everything in between.
This beautifully designed, perennially entertaining, comprehensive and indispensable guide includes plot synopses and evaluations, video cassette, laser disc and DVD availability. Plus reader-friendly icons denote films suitable for family viewing, Academy Award winners and nominees, soundtrack availability and video format compatibility, and lists four- and three-star films by title and year.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hey guys,
Just wondering why John Walker has been taken off duties for this edition of Halliwell's? I found his reviews as good as could be expected while certainly not as glib and dry as the legendary Mr. Halliwell. It was time for the editions to start recommending 4 star films again. Leslie Halliwell had gone over 20 years without giving maximum marks which was wonderfully stubborn of him but it harmfully dated the guidebook. Walker's reviews were more modern but still gloriously hard to please. My only complaint was that the editing was dreadful in the last few editions.
I've had a good flick through the new guide. It's impossible bad for a fan of the series. The new editor has forgotten to reward good performance or technical brilliance with italics as had been done before. He has also rated the mainstream films without any surprises. I think all the Oscar picture nominees get 3 stars. Meet the Robinsons, a very standard animation, gets the glorified 3 stars...?!? And the reviews are 10 times as long as previous reviews. I loved the sharp, cutting wit of the short critiques. If I want detailed reviews, I'll go onto the guardian's site.
Very disappointed. I'll have to search elsewhere for my next guidebook.
Just wondering why John Walker has been taken off duties for this edition of Halliwell's? I found his reviews as good as could be expected while certainly not as glib and dry as the legendary Mr. Halliwell. It was time for the editions to start recommending 4 star films again. Leslie Halliwell had gone over 20 years without giving maximum marks which was wonderfully stubborn of him but it harmfully dated the guidebook. Walker's reviews were more modern but still gloriously hard to please. My only complaint was that the editing was dreadful in the last few editions.
I've had a good flick through the new guide. It's impossible bad for a fan of the series. The new editor has forgotten to reward good performance or technical brilliance with italics as had been done before. He has also rated the mainstream films without any surprises. I think all the Oscar picture nominees get 3 stars. Meet the Robinsons, a very standard animation, gets the glorified 3 stars...?!? And the reviews are 10 times as long as previous reviews. I loved the sharp, cutting wit of the short critiques. If I want detailed reviews, I'll go onto the guardian's site.
Very disappointed. I'll have to search elsewhere for my next guidebook.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a massive fan of the Halliwell's Film, Video and DVD Guide series, when I saw the slap-dash black sticker bearing David Gritten's name hastily stuck over former editor John Walker's name, I opened it with a certain sense of trepidation. Upon reading the introduction I was somewhat nonplused to see Babel and The Last King of Scotland cited as movies of the year, two films that I had found somewhat disappointing; yet pleasantly suprised to see Children Of Men and The Departed get a mention. As I turned to the back pages to see the three and four star films listed alphabetically my bemusement grew. Seeing The Good Shepherd amongst the three star films was the biggest shock, as this was a film that, although interesting and well shot, was in dire need of better editing and more suitable casting. Other suprise recipients of the three star award include Meet the Robinsons and The Host, perfectly good films on their own terms, but of great historical significance? I think not. While some films were rightly lauded: The Lives of Others is deservedly awarded the sole four star rating, and Pan's Labyrinth, Little Miss Sunshine and Volver all get the three stars that they merit; some of the most remarkable films of the year get sadly overlooked: Apocalypto, 28 Weeks Later and Zodiac share only two stars amonsts them. Further to this, Gritten has failed to honour stand-out performances by representing the actors name in italics.
Yet despite these criticisms, I feel that Gritten has managed to retain in some measure the essence of what makes Halliwell's a superior film guide. The list of noteworthy movies of the year is characteristically short, the intoduction is interesting and relevant and the reviews, although not always as pithy, are informative and well written. To his credit Gritten justifies the length of some reviews in the introduction and I feel the lengthier reviews for notable movies may well prove a notable addition to the guide.
A final word on John Walker. While it was apparent that his tastes were becomming slightly broader in the last two editions, with the suprise three star awarding of Peter Jackson's King Kong, and over-generous revisions of Leslie Halliwell's reviews; he was for the most part consistent and reliable in his assessment of the numerous films reviewed and for this reason he will be sorely missed by lovers of the guide. It remains to seen whether or not the new look guide is in safe hands, but lovers of the old guide will be hoping that a "Johnn Walker's Film Guide" won't be too far away.
Yet despite these criticisms, I feel that Gritten has managed to retain in some measure the essence of what makes Halliwell's a superior film guide. The list of noteworthy movies of the year is characteristically short, the intoduction is interesting and relevant and the reviews, although not always as pithy, are informative and well written. To his credit Gritten justifies the length of some reviews in the introduction and I feel the lengthier reviews for notable movies may well prove a notable addition to the guide.
A final word on John Walker. While it was apparent that his tastes were becomming slightly broader in the last two editions, with the suprise three star awarding of Peter Jackson's King Kong, and over-generous revisions of Leslie Halliwell's reviews; he was for the most part consistent and reliable in his assessment of the numerous films reviewed and for this reason he will be sorely missed by lovers of the guide. It remains to seen whether or not the new look guide is in safe hands, but lovers of the old guide will be hoping that a "Johnn Walker's Film Guide" won't be too far away.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What has happened to the entries, for the films that were released in 2006/07? In this current edition of the book, the new "reviews" no longer possess the italics (meant to mean an indication of merit in acting or technical aspects). It was this unique feature which helped set it aside from other film guides, and thus, helping to steer one, into looking out for something extra special, when viewing a film. Without this feature, the book lacks a certain something, and sadly, Halliwell's Film Guide, now looks just as bland as all the other guides, out there.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A great find
After searching everywhere for any type of Halliwell film book I was so pleased to find this one. As an avid film buff my partner was over the moon to receive this on Christmas... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Carol Howells
Halliwell's Film Guide 2008
I bought two of these Film Guides, one for my husband's Christmas and one for my daughter's Christmas. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by Tweetie Pie Scotland
The Bible for film lovers
I first encountered Halliwell's Film Guide way back in the late 1970s when the first edition was published (1977), and immediately it outshone all the other guide books that were... Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by Fishcake Kev
AN INDISPESABLE GUIDE TO THE MOVIES
WITH THE GREAT TV OUTPUT OF FILMS FROM OLD CLASSICS TO NEW RELEASES YOU NEED A GUIDE LIKE THIS,YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE REVIEW BUT IT IS AUTHORATIVE.
Published on 3 Mar 2009 by Mr. J. E. Thorpe
Halliwell's film guide
What a great reference book, as long as you have worked-out sufficiently at the gym, to be able to lift it. I bought it for my mum to help her populate her list on Love Film
Published on 25 Feb 2009 by Paul Barclay
Needs to get back on track
As someone who has been buying and devouring Halliwell's since the first edition back in 1977, I find it disappointing to see Walker requesting that his name is removed from the... Read more
Published on 29 April 2008 by N. Madle
real signs of improvement
I think Halliwell's is gradually starting to move with the times. Having had the latest edition now for a fortnight, I like the slightly longer reviews for the more important new... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2008 by Otis Blue
Misleading reviews and descriptions. Needs a total re-write
Each listing includes title, year, abbreviated credits, the film's plot in one sentence, and a review of the film in one sentence. Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2007 by Miami
Orange?
I usually update my Halliwell's film guide every two years. Haven't seen the 2007 edition but I hope the 2008 edition hasn't persisted with the orange lettering for the film... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2007 by R. Ward
Weird. Weighty. Informed.
A huge, critically schizophrenic film guide with masses of technical information; one of the better ones but with infuriating idiosyncracies. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2007 by Charles
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