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Benjamin Halligan
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Michael Reeves (British Film-Makers) Hardcover – 31 July 2003

by Benjamin Halligan (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
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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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  1. ISBN-10
    0719063507
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0719063503
  3. Publisher
    Manchester University Press
  4. Publication date
    31 July 2003
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    13.34 x 1.91 x 20.32 cm
  7. Print length
    264 pages
  8. See all details
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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

About the Author

Benjamin Halligan is Lecturer in Film at York St. John College.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Manchester University Press (31 July 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0719063507
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0719063503
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.34 x 1.91 x 20.32 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

About the author

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Benjamin Halligan

Benjamin Halligan

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Dr Benjamin Halligan is Director of Doctoral College, University of Wolverhampton. For publications and research, please see: www.benjaminhalligan.com

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4.3 out of 5 stars
12 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • jimbob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly researched, and full of illuminating details, this book is recommended for fans of 60's British horror films and Michael Reeves in particular.
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  • Hedge Witch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book about a gifted director
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2010
    A great find. Informative and thoughtful portrait of a wonderful director and analysis of his tragically brief career. Recommended for anyone with a passion for British films and a desire to know more about not just Michael Reeves but also the fascinating world of film production in late sixties London.
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  • Julian
    5.0 out of 5 stars seriously fascinating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2003
    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.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • James Skelton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fascinating
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 November 2004
    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 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sophistication and Michael Reeves
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 October 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book presents an detailed history of Michael Reeves, and of his work at the time when he was approaching his prime in life and work. I
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  • Jonathan M. Lampley
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Study of A Cinematic Tragedy
    Reviewed in the United States on 13 February 2007
    Verified Purchase
    Benjamin Halligan's MICHAEL REEVES is the definitive study of the talented but tragic young director whose death at the age of 25 robbed the horror genre--and, Halligan argues rightly--the motion picture at large of one of its most promising architects. Reeves completed only three features, but all of them star horror icons--Barbara Steele, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price--and all of them are interesting in their own way. Only WITCHFINDER GENERAL (aka THE CONQUEROR WORM) enjoys the cult following it deserves; then again, it is the most accomplished of Reeves' films and the primary harbinger of what might have followed. Halligan's study balances critical and biographical details, incorporates substantial first-hand sources, and includes plenty of illustrations. Even if you have never heard of Mike Reeves, you owe it to yourself to learn more about him--I cannot doubt that a biopic of Reeves is destined in the next few years--and his short but fascinating career.
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  • William Connolly
    5.0 out of 5 stars The work of Michael Reeves continues to fascinate nearly 50 years after his death.
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I bought the hard back version which does not have the cover photo shown on the listing.
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