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Leslie Halliwell
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HALLIWELL'S FILMGOER'S COMPANION Paperback – Import, January 1, 1997

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
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This latest edition of Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion continues to provide an unmatched wealth of information on thousands of American, British, and European actors, directors, writers and producers, from the earliest pioneers of cinema to today's hottest box office stars. In its pages, movie buffs will find biographies, filmographies and a complete listing of Academy and European film award winners. In addition, unlike its competitors, this remarkable resource also contains special features such entertaining quotes from actors, directors and critics from around the world; entries on fictional characters and popular film themes; the Halliwell "rosette," which recognizes the outstanding achievers of the industry; a brief chronological history of the cinema; and a specially selected list of recommended books on film history. Now in its 12th edition, Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion has been in continuous publication for more than 30 years, and its reputation as the most comprehensive and authoritative reference on the film industry is well deserved. It is a must for movie fans, students, teachers, critics and anyone else who loves the magic of the silver screen.
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  1. Part of series
    Hallowell's Film & Video Guide
  2. Print length
    514 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    HARPERCOLLINS
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 1997
  6. Dimensions
    8.27 x 1.5 x 10.63 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0002557983
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0002557986
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HARPERCOLLINS; 12Rev Ed edition (January 1, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 514 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0002557983
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0002557986
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.46 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.27 x 1.5 x 10.63 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

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Leslie Halliwell

Leslie Halliwell

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Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Occasional Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2016
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A fabulous resource
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Movienut
4.0 out of 5 stars You will enjoy this
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
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Snapshot reviews of movies on TV and Cable. Well done! You will enjoy this book
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Should be titled Walkers Film & Video Guide
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2001
The previous reviewer from England pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding what has happened to this film guide over the
years. I think it's only reasonable to assume that once Halliwell died someone new, with a different set of criteria would be writing synopsis and reviews for movies. This in itself is not a problem. What is inexcusable is the way the editor who took over (John Walker) went back and changed the ratings on most of the films in the book in order to keep it more aligned with what he sees as the current popular view. So a movie like Blue Velvet which got zero stars in the original now has two stars or Battle of Algiers which had one star now has four stars. Compounding the confusion is the fact that the original synopsis written by Halliwell have NOT been changed. Therefore you can read pans of movies by Halliwell (such as BV) and then see it highly recommended with Walkers star ratings. Hmm.
One thing that wasn't mentioned was the typeface. The older
editions used to be printed on very crisp white paper with dark easily readable typeface. Now it is printed on cheaper paper with microscopic typeface that anyone without very good vision is recommended to purchase a magnifying glass for. While I find it tolerable for looking up a few films it certainly dissuades one from just kicking back and browsing through it for any length of time.
Lastly, all the way through the 1997 edition Halliwell's Guide was always available in a sturdy hardcover edition as well as a paperback. Now paperback is the only option one gets.
This guide gets three stars because it's still a useful book but
it is truly discouraging the way that it has been ruthlessly altered by the new editor to the point that it is a mere shadow of its former self.
15 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Filmgoer's Companion.
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2002
I would say that this is certainly the flimgoer's encyclepidea to all things related to movies and the people involved in creating them. As far as knowlage about films goes. I would say this is impressive and is recommended to any serious film buffs out there.
2 people found this helpful
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DBW
4.0 out of 5 stars Trust Halliwell's own voice for 'Film Guide'
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2004
If you get an edition of "Halliwell's Film and Video Guide," be sure to get one of those published while the late Mr. Halliwell still walked the earth. While John Walker may be able to give the impression that he's channeling the master, it's preferable to simply have the original at his acerbic best.
The Halliwell worldview is summed up perfectly in "The Decline and Fall of the Movie," the essay that always ended each of his editions. It's the lament of a buff who came of age in the 1930s and '40s, one who never even came to grips with the wide screen, let alone the profanity, extreme violence and other elements that had crept into film by the early 1970s.
Halliwell took the position that, by and large, filmmakers in the latter part of the 20th century either made pretentious rubbish that catered to small, elite audiences, or addle-minded schlock that was intended to appeal to the lowest common denominator.
This isn't to say that he didn't give high ratings to certain films of the '70s and '80s, such "The Towering Inferno," "Taxi Driver," "E.T." or "Gandhi" (three asterisks to each of these), but that overall, his opinions of the output of this era are negative.
The format of each entry is easy to read, beginning with title, a rating from zero to four asterisks, production year, country of origin, running time, studio, color and/or widescreen process, and producer. After the plot summary and review, credits for writing, direction, photography, music and production design are listed, and then the actors. Contributions Halliwell deems particularly noteworthy are denoted by italics.
After perhaps a series of quotes from other critics, Academy Awards and nominations are listed.
As another reviewer noted, you'd do well to adjust the Halliwell scale one asterisk upward by most other critical standards, so that one asterisk is at least two on another critic's scale, two asterisks are equal to three, and so on.
For me, after all the smoke of Halliwell's biases have cleared, a remarkable number of his thousands of reviews are right on the money, especially when the asterisk ratings are adjusted. The reviews are very short, and the critic is sometimes straitjacketed by the need to be so brief.
But also worth noting are the quotes he chooses from other reviews. Sometimes these are in line with his own view; sometimes they are completely opposite. Much of the time, they add to his own conclusions by pointing out issues that he has not otherwise commented on.
His review of one of my personal favorites, "Spartacus," which he gives two asterisks, goes thus: "Long, well-made, downbeat epic with deeper than usual characterization and several bravura sequences."
He then italicizes the contributions of director Stanley Kubrick and cinematographer Russell Metty (the latter won an Oscar). So far, it's hard to see why he wouldn't give the film three asterisks. But then we see that none of the actors' names are italicized. He then lists other quotes. Critic Anne Grayson comments on the film's "lack of imagination." Stanley Kauffman is quoted as calling it "a first-rate circus." Alan Dent says the viewer "comes away feeeling revolted and not at all ennobled."
So somehow, Halliwell is saying the film is very well-assembled as a spectacle, but lacks a dimension that would make it inspiring. I think he's asking too much of the movie, but I don't deny most of what he's saying. Adjust the asterisk rating, and you have a pretty cohesive review.
All in all, "Halliwell's Film and Video Guide" is too terse to be used all by itself, as good as it is. It's best taken as a complement to other guides, such as Leonard Maltin's, and compilations of longer reviews by Pauline Kael, Roger Ebert, Stanley Kauffman and others. For British film criticism every bit as tough as Halliwell's, but more detailed, try the "Time Out Film Guide."
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Top reviews from other countries

ljakids
5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous compendium of hollywood stars and films from yesterday year
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2014
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I bought this as a stocking filler for my father and he LOVES it. His only complaint is that the print is too small, but he is 90 after all and his eyes are failing.
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Armand
4.0 out of 5 stars A good companion
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2013
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I knew this filmgoer's companion from its 80s' edition.
As well as the information it contains, it'a always a pleasure to read about the person or the subject you've been looking for. The quizzes, lists and historical notes and commentaries are unique for a one-volume edition.
Needless to say I recommend it to cinéphiles as well as common cinemagoers and good-entertainment seekers.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2016
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Look back at the advert I was sure it said hardback copy
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Halliwell's Filmgoer's Companion
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2013
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Excellent value for money, this was for my husband who loves looking up film stars his previous copy was very old and falling to bits it was that well read. He is delighted with this copy
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DavidChyandour
4.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for any cineastes out there
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2015
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I wanted an updated version so I could throw my old one away. This fitted the bill although the typeface is very small and could be difficult for those with poor eyesight.
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