BFI Film Classics
2 total works
Stanley Kubrick hailed The Shining as 'the scariest horror film of all time' before its release in 1980. Though the film opened to poor reviews, it has since become one of the most admired horror films in cinema history. Exerting an enormous influence on popular culture, The Shining has spawned a vast array of interpretations and conspiracy theories.
Roger Luckhurst's illuminating study of this seminal film explores its themes, tropes and resonances through a detailed analysis of sequences and performances. Situating The Shining in a series of fresh contexts, this book looks at the complex nature of horror cinema at the end of the 1970s and early 80s. Taking the maze of the haunted hotel as a key motif, Luckhurst offers numerous threads with which to navigate the strange twists and turns of this enigmatic film.
This limited edition features original cover artwork by Mark Swan, click here to read a Q&A with him.
Roger Luckhurst's illuminating study of this seminal film explores its themes, tropes and resonances through a detailed analysis of sequences and performances. Situating The Shining in a series of fresh contexts, this book looks at the complex nature of horror cinema at the end of the 1970s and early 80s. Taking the maze of the haunted hotel as a key motif, Luckhurst offers numerous threads with which to navigate the strange twists and turns of this enigmatic film.
This limited edition features original cover artwork by Mark Swan, click here to read a Q&A with him.
A legendary fusion of science fiction and horror, Alien (1979) is one of the most enduring modern myths of cinema – its famously visceral scenes acting like a traumatic wound we seem compelled to revisit.
Tracing the constellation of talents that came together to produce the film, Roger Luckhurst examines its origins as a monster movie script called Star Beast, dismissed by many in Hollywood as B-movie trash, through to its afterlife in numerous sequels, prequels and elaborations.
Exploring the ways in which Alien compels us to think about otherness, Luckhurst demonstrates how and why this interstellar slasher movie, this old dark house in space, came to coil itself around our darkest imaginings about the fragility of humanity.
This special edition features original cover artwork by Marta Lech.
Tracing the constellation of talents that came together to produce the film, Roger Luckhurst examines its origins as a monster movie script called Star Beast, dismissed by many in Hollywood as B-movie trash, through to its afterlife in numerous sequels, prequels and elaborations.
Exploring the ways in which Alien compels us to think about otherness, Luckhurst demonstrates how and why this interstellar slasher movie, this old dark house in space, came to coil itself around our darkest imaginings about the fragility of humanity.
This special edition features original cover artwork by Marta Lech.