- Paperback: 266 pages
- Publisher: Manchester University Press (31 July 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0719063515
- ISBN-13: 978-0719063510
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 12.4 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 413,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
Halligan creates a compelling portrait of a strange driven figure and his disturbing films. --Mark Venner, Film Ireland, September/October 2006
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Cine-literate and single-minded, Michael Reeves took on exploitative film production companies, the British censors, and even Vincent Price to create a unique vision of savage poetry and lacerating despair: Witchfinder General. He died aged 25 in 1969, between the end of Swinging London and the collapse of the British film industry - an apt candidate to represent all that could have been. This critical biography claims Reeves as the great, lost auteur of British cinema and traces his conception of film back to his childhood and formative experiences. Benjamin Halligan examines Reeves's films in the context of the times, citing The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General as foreshadowing and critiquing the psychedelic and revolutionary zeitgeist. Reeves's earlier work on the fringes of the freewheeling European exploitation cinema is also covered, with particular emphasis on his Revenge of the Blood Beast. Drawing on recollections from colleagues, friends and family, many speaking here for the first time, draft scripts, correspondence and original documentation pertaining to the controversial censorship of Witchfinder, and Reeves's struggle with his own private demons, Halligan creates a complete picture of this elusive, driven figure and his films. He speculates on what Reeves would have gone on to achieve, and why this should still matter.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Meticulously researched, beautifully limned pen-portrait of a British original. Before his tragic death at a young age, Michael Reeves had emerged as the first British director since Hitchcock to intuitively understand the visual aspects of cinematic storytelling. Reeves' small but impressive oeuvre -- REVENGE OF THE BLOOD BEAST, SORCERORS and WITCHFINDER GENERAL -- demonstrates the impressive progress of a dynamic talent that refused to be confined by the narrative and financal limitations of the low-budget horror genre. Indeed Reeves subverted the usual conventions in much the same way his idol/mentor Don Siegel rewrote the rules for police dramas. Halligan's biography is an informative, engaging and long overdue addition to any library on British cinema.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The length of Halligan's research is simply astounding at times, given the limited information available on Reeves and his life previously. The story is incredibly heartbreaking and Halligan tells it beautifully and poetically, especially towards the end when he tells of the events surrounding and leading up to Reeves' tragic death. For anyone even remotley interested this is an absolutely fascinating read.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Halligan has really done his homework, talking to everyone and following every lead to produce a lively portrait of boy wonder filmmaker Michael Reeves, his times, and his work. (Full disclosure: Halligan tracked me down to ask about a 1969 article I'd written on Reeves.) Halligan's thesis, it turns out, is that had Reeves not died young, he might have been one of the greats. This is a reach (think arguing the same for Spielberg after 'Duel.') The achievement of the book is that, thanks to the detailed description of Reeves' vision, and the constraints out of which he crafted a sort of masterpiece 'Witchfinder General', the argument is a credible one. Along the way we get the full story of Vincent Price's work on 'Witchfinder,' and the sometimes hilarious gay sidelights (Price sitting in a ditch, commenting on an attractive young co-star). There is also important historical reportage of the sticky battle with the censors over Witchfinder's violence. As an examination of 60s London, the mind of a filmmaking genius, and the ins and outs of making low-budget genre movies, this is seriously fascinating stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great read.
Thoroughly researched, and full of illuminating details, this book is recommended for fans of 60's British horror films and Michael Reeves in particular.
Published 12 months ago by jimbob
Excellent book about a gifted director
A great find. Informative and thoughtful portrait of a wonderful director and analysis of his tragically brief career. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Hedge Witch
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