Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Film Reference, Encyclopedia, Cinema History

Book Review:
If you could only own one book about film, this should be it. Ephraim Katz's ''The Macmillan International Film Encyclopedia'' is not just a reference book; it is a monument to a lifetime of passion for cinema. It is the book that Hollywood itself can't live without, and for any serious film lover, it is an indispensable companion. This fourth edition, thoroughly revised and updated, is bigger and better than ever.

The scope is breathtaking. With nearly 8,000 entries, it covers the entire world of cinema, from its earliest pioneers to the latest stars and directors. But it's not just a list of names. Katz and his revisers provide detailed, insightful, and often wonderfully readable biographies that place each figure in the context of film history. You'll find entries not just on the obvious giants, but on character actors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and composers who made essential contributions. The encyclopedia also includes entries on genres, technical terms, studios, and even key inventions, making it a truly comprehensive guide to the art and craft of filmmaking.

The praise is unanimous and well-deserved. Rex Reed, the legendary critic, calls it ''the book Hollywood can't live without... one of the most valuable books in my library. I don't know what I'd do without The Film Encyclopedia.'' Katharine Hepburn, with her characteristic directness, simply said, ''Wow! What a book!'' The Observer compared it favorably to the other great one-volume reference, Leslie Halliwell's Filmgoer's Companion, declaring it ''half as long again... and far superior.''

This is a book for browsing and for serious research. You can open it to any page and get lost for hours, following connections and discovering new favorites. It will settle arguments, deepen your appreciation, and provide endless hours of pleasure.

''The Macmillan International Film Encyclopedia'' is a classic, a masterpiece of scholarship and a labor of love. For anyone who truly loves movies, this book is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The most comprehensive, authoritative, and engaging one-volume film encyclopedia ever created. Essential.