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Christopher Challis
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Are They Really So Awful?: Cameraman's Chronicles: A Cameraman's Chronicles Hardcover – 16 Mar. 1995

by Christopher Challis (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 16 ratings
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Christopher Challis, a distinguished Director of Photography, worked in the British Film Industry for almost fifty years and now looks back on a career that involved him with such giants as Alexander Korda, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger and Stanley Donen.
Among the many films he photographed are: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, the Tales of Hoffman and - perhaps the most famous of them all - Genevieve.
His compulsively readable memoirs reveal his joy in the madness of it all and tell of the vanity of Cary Grant; the warmth of Audrey Hepburn; the wit of Robert Morley; the professionalism of Sophia Loren; and the long lunches of Richard Burton.
Are they Really So Awful? was a question directed at Christopher Challis when he was a young man, and referred to everyone involved in the making of films. In retirement his answer to the question is 'Yes' - but his delightful memoir shows that he loved every moment of it.
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  1. Print length
    266 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Janus Publishing Company
  4. Publication date
    16 Mar. 1995
  5. Dimensions
    17.15 x 2.54 x 24.77 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1857561937
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1857561937
  8. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Christopher Challis is a past President of the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC) and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Janus Publishing Company; First Edition (16 Mar. 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 266 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1857561937
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1857561937
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 17.15 x 2.54 x 24.77 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

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Christopher Challis

Christopher Challis

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4.2 out of 5 stars
16 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Wingate
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shines a brilliant light on cinematogrophy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 August 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Christopher Challis,who died a few weeks ago,was a vastly experienced Director of photography.He started as a gofer at Gaumont British news in the 1930s.He became an assistant working with the second unit on "The Drum".After the war he worked with many famous directors including Powell and Pressberger and Stanley Donen.He continued till his retirement in 1985 after which he wrote this book.It is not an autobiography in the strict sense.More a memoire.he tells us about his more memorable experiences.Trying to provide the best possible effect for the least possible money.catering to the vanities of Cary Grant.His hardships on primative locations before the era of instant communication.He is as brilliant with the pen as he is with his camera.It is very entertaining and informative book and certainly one of the best that i have read on the British film industry.
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  • GD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting insights into the film industry
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2024
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    The author has seen it all and this is an interesting read into the operations behind the camera.
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  • Bronwyn Fox
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2015
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    no comment
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  • Adriaan Bijl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific stories from a great artist.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 January 2010
    Being a fan of Mr. Challis' work, I was hoping for more technical revelations on how he realised his imagery on movies like "the Victors". Although certian problems are mentioned, it is more about his interaction with people and the circumstances during the production of most of his films, than specific camera related issues.
    It must have been a commercial decision to broaden the potential audience for this tale and it worked;
    it is a terrific book, vividly written with a lot of humor!! I'd recommended it to any film-buff with an interest in British Cinema of the 20th Century.
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  • Mr. D. Ellis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tales from a great lens man
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2010
    Chris Challis has written a 'can't put down book'. It is good that these great people,that most people don't think about, have recorded their stories for cinema history. A great read for the 'curious', who want to know what goes into making a successful film.
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  • Nell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2009
    Who would have thought that a cameraman could write such great literature?! I really enjoyed this fascinating book about a great period in cinematic history. If you are a lover of film and are interested to learn more about how it works behind the scenes, this is a brilliant book from a man who worked on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Red Shoes and many other classics from the time of Powell and Pressburger.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • KB
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting memoir from one of the stalwart cinematographers of the 50's/60's/70's
    Reviewed in the United States on 31 October 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Concentrates on the kookie characters Challis had to deal with during his long career. I was disappointed that Challis doesn't say much about some of the the 60's films he shot: Charade, Magnificent Men, 2 for the Road.
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