The New Biographical Dictionary of Film
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| The New Biographical Dictionary of Film | |
 cover of the 2004 paperback edition, featuring a still from the film To Have and Have Not |
|
| Author | David Thomson |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Film criticism |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date | 1975 |
| Pages | 989 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-375-70940-1 |
The New Biographical Dictionary of Film (titled A Biographical Dictionary of Film in early editions) is a non-fiction reference book written by film critic David Thomson and originally published in 1975. A collection of biographical essays, the book has entries on well over a thousand film directors, actors, screenwriters and other filmmakers whose works span the history of world cinema.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Each entry in the book focuses on a specific individual in the film world. It generally includes a list of the person's major film and television credits (for directors, the filmography is listed at the beginning of the article, while other entries have credits included as part of the essay), as well as Thomson's (frequently quite opinionated) observations about the person in question.
[edit] Critical reception
The book has been received very enthusiastically, with many reviewers calling it one of the best books on film ever written.[1] Publishers Weekly praised the author for his witty and succinct prose, saying that "Thomson often nails the essence of a personality or career in less than a dozen words."[2] Acclaimed film director Peter Bogdanovich calls the book "an intellectual Filmgoer’s Companion" and "an invaluable standard text for students, fans, and serious enthusiasts."[1]
[edit] Updated 2004 paperback edition
The 2004 paperback edition is not simply a reprint of the 2002 hardcover but contains an additional 26 pages worth of entries. New entries not present in the hardcover include Darren Aronofsky, Larry Clark, Alfonso Cuaron, Christopher Guest and Ray Winstone.
[edit] References
- ^ a b The New Biographical Dictionary of Film by David Thomson. Random House. Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
- ^ The New Biographical Dictionary of Film. Publishers Weekly (August 5, 2002). Retrieved on 2006-10-28.
