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A Deep Dive into "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss": Triumphs, Challenges, and Enduring Legacy
Author: Dr. Eleanor Vance, Senior Lecturer in Media Studies at the University of London, specializing in Gothic literature and the history of horror on screen. Dr. Vance has published numerous articles and books on British television and the evolution of horror genres.
Keywords: A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss, Mark Gatiss, Horror History, British Horror, Television Documentary, Gothic Horror, Horror Evolution, Victorian Horror, Hammer Horror, Modern Horror
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the BBC's acclaimed documentary series, "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss," examining its strengths, weaknesses, and lasting impact on the understanding and appreciation of horror cinema and literature. It delves into Gatiss's approach, the series' historical scope, its critical reception, and its contribution to ongoing discussions about the genre. The article also explores the challenges involved in presenting such a vast and complex subject matter in a concise format and considers the potential future impact of the series.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, a renowned publisher specializing in scholarly works across the humanities and social sciences, including film studies and media history. Bloomsbury Academic has a strong reputation for rigorous academic publishing and its publications are widely cited in academic circles.
Editor: Dr. Thomas Ashton, Professor of Film and Television Studies at King's College London, with extensive experience editing academic publications on horror cinema and British television history.
Introduction: Unveiling the Shadows with "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss"
"A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" is more than just a television series; it's a meticulously crafted exploration of a genre that has captivated audiences for centuries. Presented with Mark Gatiss's characteristic blend of scholarly enthusiasm and playful wit, the series delves into the multifaceted history of horror, revealing its evolution from gothic novels to contemporary screen adaptations. This examination will explore the series’ successes, its limitations, and its enduring contribution to the discourse surrounding horror as a cultural phenomenon.
The Strengths of "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss": A Masterclass in Genre Exploration
One of the series' most significant strengths is its breadth. "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" expertly navigates various eras and subgenres, from the foundational works of Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker to the cinematic innovations of Hammer Horror and beyond. Gatiss's passion for the subject is palpable, his insightful commentary illuminating the social, cultural, and psychological contexts that shaped the horror genre's development.
The series masterfully blends archival footage, clips from classic and contemporary films, and interviews with prominent figures in the horror field. This multi-layered approach enriches the viewer’s understanding, providing a comprehensive and engaging experience. The use of visual elements is particularly effective, enhancing the narrative and immersing the audience in the chilling atmosphere of the genre’s history. The selection of films showcased within "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" itself acts as a curated guide to essential viewing for any serious horror enthusiast.
Furthermore, Gatiss’s personal connection to the subject matter brings a unique perspective. As a writer and performer deeply involved in the horror genre himself (known for his work on "Sherlock" and "Doctor Who," among others), his insights are informed by both scholarly research and practical experience. This blend makes his narration engaging and relatable, even to those less familiar with the academic intricacies of horror studies.
Challenges Faced by "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss": Navigating a Vast Landscape
Despite its numerous strengths, "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" also faces inherent challenges. The sheer scope of the horror genre—its vast history, diverse subgenres, and global reach—presents a significant hurdle. Inevitably, certain aspects and filmmakers had to be omitted due to time constraints. This selectivity has, unsurprisingly, prompted some debates amongst horror enthusiasts, with discussions focusing on the inclusion or exclusion of specific films, directors, or movements. A comprehensive overview is simply impossible within the limited episode run.
Another challenge lies in the inherent subjectivity of defining "horror." The series attempts to encompass a wide range of works, some more overtly horrific than others. The line between horror, suspense, and thriller can be blurry, making the task of creating a coherent narrative even more demanding. This challenge is not unique to "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss," but it is something that the series grapples with throughout its run. The need to balance diverse perspectives and interpretations also plays a significant role in the crafting of the series narrative.
The Impact and Legacy of "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss": A Lasting Contribution
Despite its limitations, "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" has undoubtedly left a significant impact on how we understand and appreciate horror as a genre. Its accessibility makes complex historical and cultural contexts easier to grasp, fostering a deeper appreciation for the genre's richness and complexity. The series has helped to elevate the status of horror, recognizing its artistic merit and cultural significance. It has also prompted renewed interest in classic horror films and literature, introducing them to a new generation of viewers.
The series’ legacy extends beyond simple entertainment. "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" serves as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. It has stimulated further discussion and research, contributing to the growing body of scholarship on horror. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its quality, its engaging presentation, and the enduring appeal of the subject matter itself.
Conclusion: A Chillingly Good History
"A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss" stands as a remarkable achievement in documentary filmmaking. While facing the inherent challenges of condensing a vast and multifaceted subject into a limited format, the series succeeds in presenting a compelling and insightful exploration of the horror genre's history. Mark Gatiss's passion, expertise, and engaging presentation style elevate the series beyond a mere historical overview, transforming it into a truly enriching and thought-provoking experience. Its enduring popularity and lasting impact firmly cement its position as a cornerstone of horror scholarship and appreciation.
FAQs
1. What makes Mark Gatiss uniquely qualified to host "A History of Horror"? Gatiss's deep personal interest in horror, coupled with his professional success as a writer and actor specializing in genre fiction, makes him perfectly suited to host. He brings both academic knowledge and creative experience to the project.
2. Does the series focus solely on British horror? While the series acknowledges British contributions significantly, it spans global horror cinema and literature, highlighting key movements and filmmakers across various countries.
3. Is the series suitable for all audiences? Due to its subject matter, “A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss” contains scenes and imagery that may be disturbing or frightening to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
4. What are some notable omissions from the series? Due to time constraints, several significant films, directors, and subgenres of horror are necessarily excluded. This has been a point of discussion among fans and critics.
5. How does the series deal with the social and cultural implications of horror? The series frequently examines the social and cultural contexts shaping the genre, exploring themes of fear, morality, and societal anxieties.
6. Are there any scholarly critiques of the series? Yes, several academic articles and essays have analysed "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss," examining its approach, strengths, and limitations.
7. Where can I find "A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss"? The series is available on various streaming platforms, depending on your region. Checking the BBC iPlayer (UK) or other relevant streaming services is recommended.
8. What is the overall tone of the series? While discussing dark and disturbing subject matter, the series maintains a balance between scholarly analysis and an entertaining presentation style, using humour and engaging storytelling.
9. Is there a companion book to the series? While not a direct companion book, numerous books on the history of horror and related topics discussed in the series can provide additional context and in-depth information.
Related Articles:
1. "The Gothic Influence in 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": An analysis of the series' focus on gothic literature and its lasting influence on horror.
2. "Hammer Horror's Legacy: As Depicted in 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": Examining the series' portrayal of Hammer Horror's impact on the genre and its continuing legacy.
3. "The Evolution of Slasher Films in 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": A detailed exploration of the evolution of slasher films as portrayed in the series.
4. "The Representation of Women in Horror: A Case Study of 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": A critical look at how the series represents female characters and filmmakers within the horror genre.
5. "Comparative Analysis: 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss' and Other Horror Documentaries": A comparison of Gatiss' series to other notable horror documentaries.
6. "Music and Sound Design in 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": An analysis of the effective use of music and sound to enhance the narrative and atmosphere.
7. "Critical Reception of 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": A review of the critical reception of the series, including both positive and negative reviews.
8. "The Future of Horror: Predictions Based on 'A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss'": Speculating on the future trends in horror based on the series' historical analysis.
9. "Mark Gatiss's Personal Approach in 'A History of Horror': A Biographical Perspective": Examining how Gatiss' personal experiences and interests shape his presentation of the genre.
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Doctor Who: The Crimson Horror (Target Collection) Mark Gatiss, 2021-03-11 ‘We must get to the bottom of this dark and queer business, no matter what the cost!’ Something ghastly is afoot in Victorian Yorkshire. Something that kills. Bodies are washing up in the canal, their skin a waxy, glowing red... But just what is this crimson horror? Madam Vastra, Jenny and Strax are despatched to investigate the mystery. Strangely reluctant to assist their enquiries is Mrs Winifred Gillyflower, matriarch of ‘Sweetville’, a seemingly utopian workers’ community. Why do all roads lead to the team's old friends Clara and the Doctor? Who is Mrs Gillyflower's mysterious silent partner Mr Sweet? And will the motley gang be in time to defeat the mysterious power that threatens all the world with its poison? |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Ghost Stories E F Benson, 2016-10-06 Sherlock star Mark Gatiss selects and introduces chilling tales by the unsung master of the classic ghost story - E.F. Benson. There's nothing sinister about a London bus. Nothing supernatural could occur on a busy Tube platform. There's nothing terrifying about a little caterpillar. And a telephone, what could be scary about that? Don't be frightened of the dark corners of your room. Don't be alarmed by a sudden, inexplicable chill. There's no need for a ticking clock, a limping footstep, or a knock at the door to start you trembling. There's nothing to be scared of. Nothing at all. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Folk Horror Dawn Keetley, 2023-04-15 While the undisputed heyday of folk horror was Britain in the 1960s and 1970s, the genre has not only a rich cinematic and literary prehistory, but directors and novelists around the world have also been reinventing folk horror for the contemporary moment. This study sets out to rethink the assumptions that have guided critical writing on the genre in the face of such expansions, with chapters exploring a range of subjects from the fiction of E. F. Benson to Scooby-Doo, video games, and community engagement with the Lancashire witches. In looking beyond Britain, the essays collected here extend folk horror's geographic terrain to map new conceptualisations of the genre now seen emerging from Italy, Ukraine, Thailand, Mexico and the Appalachian region of the US. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Who's Who of Doctor Who Cameron K. McEwan, 2013-11 The Who's Who of Doctor Who is the must-have handbook exploring the dynamic cast of characters in Doctor Who over the past half century. With a heavy focus on the past three doctors, including Matt Smith. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Doctor Who: The Witchfinders (Target Collection) Joy Wilkinson, 2021-03-11 ‘I am an expert on witchcraft, Doctor, but I wish to learn more. Before you die, I want answers.’ The TARDIS lands in the Lancashire village of Bilehurst Cragg in the 17th century, and the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz soon become embroiled in a witch trial run by the local landowner. Fear stalks the land, and the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt. But the Doctor soon realises there is something more sinister than paranoia and superstition at work. Tendrils of living mud stir in the ground and the dead lurch back to horrifying life as an evil alien presence begins to revive. The Doctor and her friends must save not only the people of Bilehurst Cragg from the wakening forces, but the entire world |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Folk Horror Adam Scovell, 2017-10-24 Interest in the ancient, the occult, and the wyrd is on the rise. The furrows of Robin Hardy (The Wicker Man), Piers Haggard (Blood on Satan's Claw), and Michael Reeves (Witchfinder General) have arisen again, most notably in the films of Ben Wheatley (Kill List), as has the Spirit of Dark of Lonely Water, Juganets, cursed Saxon crowns, spaceships hidden under ancient barrows, owls and flowers, time-warping stone circles, wicker men, the goat of Mendes, and malicious stone tapes. Folk Horror: Hours Dreadful And Things Strange charts the summoning of these esoteric arts within the latter half of the twentieth century and beyond, using theories of psychogeography, hauntology, and topography to delve into the genre's output in film, television, and multimedia as its sacred demon of ungovernableness rises yet again in the twenty-first century. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Symbolism 2018 Rüdiger Ahrens, Florian Kläger, Klaus Stierstorfer, 2018-10-08 This special issue of Symbolism: An International Annual of Critical Aesthetics explores the various functions of metaphor in life writing. Looking at a range of autobiographical subgenres (pathography, disability narratives, memoirs of migration, autofiction) and different kinds of metaphors, the contributions seek to ‘map’ the possibilities of metaphor for narratively framing an individual life and for constructing notions of selfhood. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Un-Dead TV Brad Middleton, 2015-02-05 Vampires are ubiquitous in our popular culture--from movies to television, in fiction and art, and even within the hallowed halls of academia. But in the not-so-distant past, these undead creatures held more fear than fascination; they lived in the shadows and were the stuff of nightmares. In 1897, Bram Stoker introduced Dracula to the Western world--and our concept of vampires was changed forever. For over sixty years, the undead have bled the television airwaves, appearing in every type of programming imaginable. Un-Dead TV catalogues over one thousand unique vampire appearances—and is the first book of its kind to explore this phenomenon to the extent that it truly deserves. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: The Cambridge History of the Gothic: Volume 3, Gothic in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries Catherine Spooner, Dale Townshend, 2021-08-19 The third volume of The Cambridge History of the Gothic is the first book to provide an in-depth history of Gothic literature, film, television and culture in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries (c. 1896-present). Identifying key historical shifts from the birth of film to the threat of apocalypse, leading international scholars offer comprehensive coverage of the ideas, events, movements and contexts that shaped the Gothic as it entered a dynamic period of diversification across all forms of media. Twenty-three chapters plus an extended introduction provide in-depth accounts of topics including Modernism, war, postcolonialism, psychoanalysis, counterculture, feminism, AIDS, neo-liberalism, globalisation, multiculturalism, the war on terror and environmental crisis. Provocative and cutting edge, this will be an essential reference volume for anyone studying modern and contemporary Gothic culture. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: The Cambridge History of the Gothic: Volume 3, Gothic in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries Catherine Spooner, Dale Townshend, 2021-08-19 The first volume to provide an interdisciplinary, comprehensive history of twentieth and twenty-first century Gothic culture. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: British rural landscapes on film Paul Newland, 2016-09-01 British rural landscapes on film offers insights into how rural areas in Britain have been represented on film, from the silent era, through both world wars, and on into the twenty-first century. It is the first book to exclusively deal with representations of the British countryside on film. The contributors demonstrate that the countryside has provided Britain (and its constituent nations and regions) with a dense range of spaces in which cultural identities have been (and continue to be) worked through. British rural landscapes on film demonstrates that British cinema provides numerous examples of how national identity and the identity of the countryside have been partly constructed through filmic representation, and how British rural films can allow us to further understand the relationship between the cultural identities of specific areas of Britain and the landscapes they inhabit. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Otherworldly: Folk Horror Revival at the British Museum Folk Horror Revival, 2017-11-21 On a rainy Sunday in October 2016 almost 400 people gathered at The British Museum to be a part of a momentous occasion-- the very first Folk Horror Revival event. The day promised to be a packed and varied one with gallery tours, poetry recitals, films screenings, talks, music, Q & As and maybe a surprise guest or two. The volumed you have in your hand serves to record that day, by offering transcriptions of the talks and the Q & As, photographs of all those who took part and even some artwork produced on the day.--Page 5 |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: The Dark Matter of Childrens 'Fantastika' Literature Chloe Germaine, 2023-09-21 Following the material turn in the humanities, this book brings perspectives from science and ecology into dialogue with children's fiction written and published in the UK and the USA in the 21st century. It develops the concept of entanglement, which originated in 20th-century quantum physics but has been applied to cultural critique, through a reading of Fantastika literature. Surveying a wide-ranging scope of literary texts, this book covers the gothic, fantasy, the Weird, and other forms of speculative fiction to argue that Fantastika positions entanglement as an ethical imperative that transforms our imaginative relationship with materiality. In so doing, it synthesizes perspectives from a similarly diverse range of areas, including ecology, physics, anthropology, and literary studies, to examine the storied matter of children's Fantastika as ground from which we might begin to imagine an as-yet-unrealised future that addresses the problems of our present. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Macbeth Rebekah Owens, 2017-04-24 This book demonstrates how Roman Polanski's Macbeth (1971) can be read as part of the British Folk tradition, strengthening the reading of the film as a horror movie in its own right through its links to The Wicker Man (1973), Blood on Satan's Claw (1971), and Witchfinder General (1968). |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Doctor Who and the Art of Adaptation Marcus K. Harmes, 2014-05-01 Although it started as a British television show with a small but devoted fan base, Doctor Who has grown in popularity and now appeals to audiences around the world. In the fifty-year history of the program, Doctor Who’s producers and scriptwriters have drawn on a dizzying array of literary sources and inspirations. Elements from Homer, classic literature, gothic horror, swashbucklers, Jacobean revenge tragedies, Orwellian dystopias, Westerns, and the novels of Agatha Christie and Evelyn Waugh have all been woven into the fabric of the series. One famous storyline from the mid-1970s was rooted in the Victoriana of authors like H. Rider Haggard and Arthur Conan Doyle, and another was a virtual remake of Anthony Hope’s The Prisoner of Zenda—with robots! In Doctor Who and the Art of Adaptation: Fifty Years of Storytelling, Marcus Harmes looks at the show’s frequent exploration of other sources to create memorable episodes. Harmes observes that adaptation in Doctor Who is not just a matter of transferring literary works to the screen, but of bringing a diversity of texts into dialogue with the established mythology of the series as well as with longstanding science fiction tropes. In this process, original stories are not just resituated, but transformed into new works. Harmes considers what this approach reveals about adaptation, television production, the art of storytelling, and the long-term success and cultural resonance enjoyed by Doctor Who. Doctor Who and the Art of Adaptation will be of interest to students of literature and television alike, and to scholars interested in adaptation studies. It will also appeal to fans of the series interested in tracing the deep cultural roots of television’s longest-running and most literate science-fiction adventure. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Folk horror on film Kevin J. Donnelly, Louis Bayman, 2023-10-10 What is folk horror and how culturally significant is it? This collection is the first study to address these questions while considering the special importance of British cinema to the genre’s development. The book presents political and aesthetic analyses of folk horror’s uncanny landscapes and frightful folk. It places canonical films like Witchfinder General (1968), The Blood on Satan's Claw (1971) and The Wicker Man (1973) in a new light and expands the canon to include films like the sci-fi horror Doomwatch (1970–72) and the horror documentary Requiem for a Village (1975) alongside filmmakers Ken Russell and Ben Wheatley. A series of engrossing chapters by established scholars and new writers argue for the uniqueness of folk horror from perspectives that include the fragmented national history of pagan heresies and Celtic cultures, of peasant lifestyles, folkloric rediscoveries and postcolonial decline. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Future Folk Horror Simon Bacon, 2023-07-24 Future Folk Horror: Contemporary Anxieties and Possible Futures analyzes folk horror by looking at its recent popularity in novels and films such as The Ritual (2011), The Witch (2015), and Candyman (2021). Countering traditional views of the genre as depictions of the monstrous, rural, and pagan past trying to consume the present, the contributors to this collection posit folk horror as being able to uniquely capture the anxieties of the twenty-first century, caused by an ongoing pandemic and the divisive populist politics that have arisen around it. Further, this book shows how, through its increasing intersections with other genres such as science fiction, the weird, and eco-criticism as seen in films and texts like The Zero Theorum (2013), The Witcher (2007–2021), and Annihilation (2018) as well as through its engagement with topics around climate change, racism, and identity politics, folk horror can point to other ways of being in the world and visions of possible futures. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror Robert Edgar, Wayne Johnson, 2023-10-09 The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror offers a comprehensive guide to this popular genre. It explores its origins, canonical texts and thinkers, the crucial underlying themes of nostalgia and hauntology, and identifies new trends in the field. Divided into five parts, the first focuses on the history of Folk Horror from medieval texts to the present day. It considers the first wave of contemporary Folk Horror through the films of the ‘unholy trinity’, as well as discussing the influence of ancient gods and early Folk Horror. Part 2 looks at the spaces, landscapes, and cultural relics, which form a central focus for Folk Horror. In Part 3, the contributors examine the rich history of the use of folklore in children’s fiction. The next part discusses recent examples of Folk Horror-infused music and image. Chapters consider the relationship between different genres of music to Folk Horror (such as folk music, black metal, and new wave), sound and performance, comic books, and the Dark Web. Often regarded as British in origin, the final part analyses texts which break this link, as the contributors reveal the larger realms of regional, national, international, and transnational Folk Horror. Featuring 40 contributions, this authoritative collection brings together leading voices in the field. It is an invaluable resource for students and scholars interested in this vibrant genre and its enduring influence on literature, film, music, and culture. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Vesuvius Club Mark Gatiss, 2005-10-11 Meet Lucifer Box: Equal parts James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, with a twist of Monty Python and a dash of Austin Powers, Lucifer has a charming countenance and rapier wit that make him the guest all hostesses must have. And most do. But few of his conquests know that Lucifer is also His Majesty's most daring secret agent, at home in both London's Imperial grandeur and in its underworld of despicable vice. So when Britain's most prominent scientists begin turning up dead, there is only one man his country can turn to for help. Following a dinnertime assassination, Lucifer is dispatched to uncover the whereabouts of missing agent Jocelyn Poop. Along the way he will give art lessons, be attacked by a poisonous centipede, bed a few choice specimens, and travel to Italy on business and pleasure. Aided by his henchwoman Delilah; the beautiful, mysterious, and Dutch Miss Bella Pok; his boss, a dwarf who takes meetings in a lavatory; grizzled vulcanologist Emmanuel Quibble; and the impertinent, delicious, right-hand-boy Charlie Jackpot, Lucifer Box deduces and seduces his way from his elegant townhouse at Number 9 Downing Street (somebody has to live there) to the ruined city of Pompeii, to infiltrate a highly dangerous secret society that may hold the fate of the world in its clawlike grip--the Vesuvius Club. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Folk Horror Revival: Field Studies - Second Edition Folk Horror Revival, 2018 A new and revised edition of the seminal tome Folk Horror Revival: Field Studies. A collection of essays, interviews and artwork by a host of talents exploring the weird fields of folk horror, urban wyrd and other strange edges. Contributors include Robin Hardy, Ronald Hutton, Alan Lee, Philip Pullman, Thomas Ligotti, Kim Newman, Adam Scovell, Gary Lachman, Susan Cooper and a whole host of other intriguing and vastly talented souls. An indispensable companion for all explorers of the strange cinematic, televisual, literary and folkloric realms. This edition contains numerous extra interviews and essays as well as updating some information and presented with improved design. 100% of all sales profits of this book are charitably donated at quarterly intervals to The Wildlife Trusts. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Of Mud and Flame Matthew Harle, James Machin, 2019-12-31 Exploring Penda's Fen, a 1974 BBC film that achieved mythic status. In 1974, the BBC broadcast the film Penda's Fen, leaving audiences mystified and spellbound. “Make no mistake. We had a major work of television last night,” The Times declared the next morning. Written by the playwright and classicist David Rudkin, the film follows Stephen, an 18-year-old boy, whose identity, sexuality, and suffocating nationalism unravels through a series of strange visions. After its original broadcast, Penda's Fen vanished into unseen mythic status, with only a single rebroadcast in 1990 sustaining its cult following. With a DVD release by the BFI in 2016, Penda's Fen has now become totemic for those interested in Britain's deep history, folklore, and landscape. Of Mud and Flame brings together writers, artists, and historians to excavate and explore this unique cornerstone of Britain's uncanny archive. Contributors include David Rudkin, Sukhdev Sandhu, Roger Luckhurst, Gareth Evan, Adam Scovell, Bethany Whalley, Carl Phelpstead, David Ian Rabey, David Rolinson, Craig Wallace, Daniel O'Donnell Smith, William Fowler, Yvonne Salmon, Andy W. Smith, Carolyne Larrington, John Harle, Timothy J. Jarvis, Tom White, Daniel Eltringham, Joseph Brooker, Gary Budden |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Hammer Complete Howard Maxford, 2019-11-08 Think you know everything there is to know about Hammer Films, the fabled Studio that Dripped Blood? The lowdown on all the imperishable classics of horror, like The Curse of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula and The Devil Rides Out? What about the company's less blood-curdling back catalog? What about the musicals, comedies and travelogues, the fantasies and historical epics--not to mention the pirate adventures? This lavishly illustrated encyclopedia covers every Hammer film and television production in thorough detail, including budgets, shooting schedules, publicity and more, along with all the actors, supporting players, writers, directors, producers, composers and technicians. Packed with quotes, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, credit lists and production specifics, this all-inclusive reference work is the last word on this cherished cinematic institution. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Folk Horror Adam Scovell, 2017-10-24 Interest in the ancient, the occult, and the wyrd is on the rise. The furrows of Robin Hardy (The Wicker Man), Piers Haggard (Blood on Satan's Claw), and Michael Reeves (Witchfinder General) have arisen again, most notably in the films of Ben Wheatley (Kill List), as has the Spirit of Dark of Lonely Water, Juganets, cursed Saxon crowns, spaceships hidden under ancient barrows, owls and flowers, time-warping stone circles, wicker men, the goat of Mendes, and malicious stone tapes. Folk Horror: Hours Dreadful And Things Strange charts the summoning of these esoteric arts within the latter half of the twentieth century and beyond, using theories of psychogeography, hauntology, and topography to delve into the genre's output in film, television, and multimedia as its sacred demon of ungovernableness rises yet again in the twenty-first century. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Halloween Murray Leeder, 2015-02-17 The 1970s represented an unusually productive and innovative period for the horror film, and John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) is the film that capped that golden age – and some say ruined it, by ushering in the era of the slasher film. Considered a paradigm of low-budget ingenuity, its story of a seemingly unremarkable middle-American town becoming the site of violence on October 31 struck a chord within audiences. The film became a surprise hit that gave rise to a lucrative franchise, and it remains a perennial favourite. Much of its success stems from the simple but strong constructions of its three central characters: brainy, introverted teenager Laurie Strode, a late bloomer compared to her more outgoing friends, Dr. Loomis, the driven, obsessive psychiatrist, and Michael Myers, the inexplicable, ghostlike masked killer. Film scholar Murray Leeder offers a bold and provocative study of Carpenter's film, which hopes to expose qualities that are sometime effaced by its sequels and remakes. It explores Halloween as an unexpected ghost film, and examines such subjects as its construction of the teenager, and the relationship of Halloween the film to Halloween the holiday, and Michael Myers's brand of pure evil. It is a fascinating read for scholars and fans alike. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: British Women’s Short Supernatural Fiction, 1860–1930 Victoria Margree, 2019-11-08 This book explores women’s short supernatural fiction between the emergence of first wave feminism and the post-suffrage period, arguing that while literary ghosts enabled an interrogation of women’s changing circumstances, ghosts could have both subversive and conservative implications. Haunted house narratives by Charlotte Riddell and Margaret Oliphant become troubled by uncanny reminders of the origins of middle-class wealth in domestic and foreign exploitation. Corpse-like revenants are deployed in Female Gothic tales by Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Edith Nesbit to interrogate masculine aestheticisation of female death. In the culturally-hybrid supernaturalism of Alice Perrin, the ‘Marriage Question’ migrates to colonial India, and psychoanalytically-informed stories by May Sinclair, Eleanor Scott and Violet Hunt explore just how far gender relations have really progressed in the post-First World War period. Study of the woman’s short story productively problematises literary histories about the “golden age” of the ghost story, and about the transition from Victorianism to modernism. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: History as Fantasy in Music, Sound, Image, and Media James Cook, Alexander Kolassa, Alexander Robinson, Adam Whittaker, 2024-04-11 Exploring how music is used to portray the past in a variety of media, this book probes the relationship between history and fantasy in the imagination of the musical past. The volume brings together essays from multidisciplinary perspectives, addressing the use of music to convey a sense of the past in a wide range of multimedia contexts, including television, documentaries, opera, musical theatre, contemporary and historical film, videogames, and virtual reality. With a focus on early music and medievalism, the contributors theorise the role of music and sound in constructing ideas of the past. In three interrelated sections, the chapters problematise notions of historical authenticity on the stage and screen; theorise the future of musical histories in immersive and virtual media; and explore sound’s role in more fantastical appropriations of history in television and videogames. Together, they pose provocative questions regarding our perceptions of ‘early’ music and the sensory experience of distant history. Offering new ways to understand the past at the crossroads of musical and visual culture, this collection is relevant to researchers across music, media, and historical and cultural studies. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Focus On: 100 Most Popular Films Based on British Novels Wikipedia contributors, |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Horror Film Laura Cremonini, 2020-03-24 This book is the assembly of various texts that are freely available on the web, especially from Wikipedia. The next obvious question is: why buy this book? The answer: because it means you avoid having to carry out long and tedious internet searches. And, most important thing is free. The topics are all linked to each other organically, and as a function of the subject and, in most cases, contain additional unpublished topics, not found on the web. Moreover, the inclusion of images completes the work so as to make it unique and unrepeatable. Contents of the book: History, 1890s–1900s, Trick Films, 1910s, 1920s, German Expressionism, Universal Classic Monsters 1920s, Other productions, 1930s, Universal Classic Monsters 1930s, Other productions, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s–1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s, Subgenres: Action horror, Body horror, Comedy horror, Cyber horror, Folk horror, Found footage horror, Gothic horror, Holiday horror, Horror adventure, Horror drama, Horror thriller, Natural horror, Psychological horror, Science fiction horror, Slasher film, Splatter film, Superhero horror, Supernatural horror, Teen horror, Zombie films, Psychological effects of horror films, Neurocinematics - the subconscious effect of horror films on the audience, Different techniques employed by horror films on the audience, Physical effects of horror films on the audience, Influences, Influences on society, Influences internationally, Notes, Bibliography. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Horror Film Murray Leeder, 2018-01-25 An introduction to the horror film genre. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Bunch of Snake Freaks! A Brit's Take on Dead Pets, Sleazeballs and Other Fun Movie Stuff Dave Franklin, 2024-01-22 “You like movies because you’re one of life’s great watchers.” So says Woody Allen’s irked, soon-to-be-ex-wife in Play It Again, Sam, obviously having had enough of his sedentary lifestyle. Hmm, I think she would have left me, too. But, hey, do a female’s myriad charms really stack up against the corny delights of Cocktail, the vicious cynicism of The Sweet Smell of Success, the dark ferocity of The Thing, the fantastic imagination of Westworld, the perverted milieu of Happiness or the heartbreak of Kes? For these are just some of the films covered in the fifth part of this lewd, politically incorrect guide to the treasures of twentieth century cinema. Author Dave Franklin also throws in a bevy of bitches, the worst-ever holidays and a tribute to old men feasting on teenage flesh. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Unofficial Doctor Who Cameron K. McEwan, 2015-04-06 Unofficial Doctor Who covers the past fifty years of Doctor Who, including doppelgangers, regenerations, Gallifrey adventures, highest-rated episodes, behind-the-scenes info, and loads more. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Folk Gothic Dawn Keetley, 2023-12-31 Folk Gothic begins with the assertion that a significant part of what has been categorised as folk horror is more accurately and usefully labelled as Folk Gothic. Through the modifier 'folk', Folk Gothic obviously shares with folk horror its deployment (and frequent fabrication) of diegetic folklore. Folk Gothic does not share, however, folk horror's incarnate monsters, its forward impetus across spatial and ontological boundaries and the shock and repulsion elicited through its bodily violence. The author argues that the Folk Gothic as a literary, televisual and cinematic formation is defined by particular temporal and spatial structures that serve to forge distinctly nonhuman stories. In emphasising these temporal and spatial structures – not literal 'folk' and 'monsters' – the Folk Gothic tells stories that foreground land and 'things', consequently loosening the grip of anthropocentrism. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: The Magic Box Rob Young, 2021-08-03 A LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEAR A riveting journey into the psyche of Britain through its golden age of television and film; a cross-genre feast of moving pictures, from classics to occult hidden gems, The Magic Box is the nation's visual self-portrait in technicolour detail. 'The definition of gripping. Truly, a trove of wyrd treasures.' BENJAMIN MYERS 'A lovingly researched history of British TV [that] recalls the brilliant, the bizarre and the unworldly.' GUARDIAN 'A reclamation, not just of a visual 'golden age', but of Britain as a darkly magical place.' THE SPECTATOR 'A feat of argument, description and affection.' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Young unearths the ghosts of TV past - and Britain's dark psyche.' HERALD 'Highly entertaining . . . [A] fabulous treasure trove.' SCOTSMAN 'Young is a phenomonal scholar.' OBSERVER 'Impassioned.' THE CRITIC Growing up in the 1970s, Rob Young's main storyteller was the wooden box with the glass window in the corner of the family living room, otherwise known as the TV set. Before the age of DVDs and Blu-ray discs, YouTube and commercial streaming services, watching television was a vastly different experience. You switched on, you sat back and you watched. There was no pause or fast-forward button. The cross-genre feast of moving pictures produced in Britain between the late 1950s and late 1980s - from Quatermass and Tom Jones to The Wicker Man and Brideshead Revisited, from A Canterbury Tale and The Go-Between to Bagpuss and Children of the Stones, and from John Betjeman's travelogues to ghost stories at Christmas - contributed to a national conversation and collective memory. British-made sci-fi, folk horror, period drama and televisual grand tours played out tensions between the past and the present, dramatised the fractures and injustices in society and acted as a portal for magical and ghostly visions. In The Magic Box, Rob Young takes us on a fascinating journey into this influential golden age of screen and discovers what it reveals about the nature and character of Britain, its uncategorisable people and buried histories - and how its presence can still be felt on screen in the twenty-first century. '[A] forensic dissection . . . this tightly packed treatise takes pains to illustrate how what we view affects how we view ourselves.' TOTAL FILM |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: The Wicker Man Steve A. Wiggins, 2023-07-15 Many fans of Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man (1973) may know that this classic is considered a fine sample of folk horror. Few will consider that it’s also a prime example of holiday horror. Holiday horror draws its energy from the featured festive day, here May Day. Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a “Christian copper,” is lured to the remote Scottish island Summerisle where, hidden from the eyes of all, a thriving Celtic, pagan religion holds sway. His arrival at the start of the May Day celebration is no accident. The clash between religions, fought on the landscape of the holiday, drives the story to its famous conclusion. In this Devil’s Advocate, Steve A. Wiggins delineates what holiday horror is and surveys various aspects of “the Citizen Kane of horror movies” that utilize the holiday. Beginning with a brief overview of Beltane and how May Day has been celebrated, this study considers the role of sexuality and fertility in the film. Conflicting with Howie’s Christian principles, this leads to an exploration of his theology as contrasted with that of Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and his tenants. Such differences in belief make the fiery ending practically inevitable. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Culture Wars and Horror Movies Noelia Gregorio-Fernández, |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Steven Moffat's Doctor Who 2011 Steven Cooper, Kevin Mahoney, 2012 At over 90,000 words, this is the most comprehensive guide yet published to the 2011 season of Doctor Who. This series of Doctor Who had the greatest ambition yet, as Steven Moffat created the most complex Doctor Who story arc ever. The apparent death of the Doctor in the very first episode set the groundwork for a series full of other shocks and revelations (such as River Song's identity), which ended with a return to the essential mystery that has always underpinned the programme. The format of this book is the same as the one that we laid out in our previous guide to Matt Smith's first series as the Doctor. Steven Cooper has written excellent detailed analyses of each episode, which he published online soon after each episode was broadcast, thus providing an invaluable record of how a long-standing fan reacted to each twist of the plot as it occurred. Kevin Mahoney follows Steven's analyses with his reviews, which he wrote from the perspective of having watched the entire series. This enabled Kevin to gauge exactly how Steven Moffat had put this season together, and to assess the success of his various hoodwinks and sleights of hand. There have been various controversies this series, such as Moffat's novel move to split the series in half. Then there were murmurings of discontent within fandom when the news that there might be fewer than 14 episodes in 2012 leaked out, along with the perennial erroneous tales from the newspapers about the loss of viewing figures. The cancellation of Doctor Who Confidential left some fans fearing for the future of such an expensive show in austere times. Others have gone further than this, to suggest that Doctor Who itself needs a break. However, despite some minor blips in the storytelling department in 2011, this book argues that there is still a great deal to be positive about in Doctor Who. While we haven't quite yet reached another golden age for the programme, the authors of this book believe that the potential is still very much there to achieve this. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Last of the Gaderene Mark Gatiss, 2013 The Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Collection: Eleven classic adventures. Eleven brilliant writers. One incredible Doctor. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: TV Horror Lorna Jowett, Stacey Abbott, 2013-01-18 Horror is a universally popular, pervasive TV genre, with shows like True Blood, Being Human, The Walking Dead and American Horror Story making a bloody splash across our television screens. This complete, utterly accessible, sometimes scary new book is the definitive work on TV horror. It shows how this most adaptable of genres has continued to be a part of the broadcast landscape, unsettling audiences and pushing the boundaries of acceptability. The authors demonstrate how TV Horror continues to provoke and terrify audiences by bringing the monstrous and the supernatural into the home, whether through adaptations of Stephen King and classic horror novels, or by reworking the gothic and surrealism in Twin Peaks and Carnivale. They uncover horror in mainstream television from procedural dramas to children's television and, through close analysis of landmark TV auteurs including Rod Serling, Nigel Kneale, Dan Curtis and Stephen Moffat, together with case studies of such shows as Dark Shadows, Dexter, Pushing Daisies, Torchwood, and Supernatural, they explore its evolution on television. This book is a must-have for those studying TV Genre as well as for anyone with a taste for the gruesome and the macabre. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Critical Readings on Hammer Horror Films Fernando Gabriel Pagnoni Berns, Matthew Edwards, 2024-06-28 This collection offers close readings on Hammer’s cycle of horror films, analysing key films and placing particular emphasis on the narratives and themes present in the works discussed. Ranging from the studio’s first horror outing, The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (1935) to Hammer’s last contemporary film, Doctor Jekyll (2023), the collection celebrates cult-favourites such as The Quatermass Experiment, the films of Terence Fisher, to overlooked classics such as Captain Clegg or The Mummy franchise. This volume also delves into Hammer’s psychological thrillers, the studio’s venture into TV with Hammer’s House of Horrors, with theoretical frameworks varying from queer studies to postcolonial readings. This volume will appeal to scholars and students of film studies, international cinema, film history and horror studies. |
| a history of horror with mark gatiss: Death Lines Lauren Jane Barnett, 2023-11-28 The first walking guide to London’s role in the evolution of horror cinema, inspired by the city’s dark histories and labyrinthine architectures. Death Lines is the first walking guide to London’s role in the evolution of horror cinema, inspired by the city’s dark histories, labyrinthine architectures, atmospheric streetscapes, and uncanny denizens. Its eight walks lead you on a series of richly researched yet undeniably chilling tours through Chelsea, Notting Hill, Westminster, Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, and the East End, along the haunted banks of the river Thames, and down into the depths of the London Underground railway. Each tour weaves together London’s stories and takes the reader to magnificent, eerie, and sometimes disconcertingly ordinary corners of the city, unearthing the literature, legends, and history behind classics like Peeping Tom and An American Werewolf in London, and lesser-known works such as mind-control melodrama The Sorcerers; Gorgo, Britain’s answer to Godzilla; tube terror Death Line; and Bela Lugosi's mesmeric vehicle The Dark Eyes of London. Tinged with humor, social critique, and more than a few scares, Death Lines delights in revealing the hidden and often surprising relationship between the city and the dark cinematic visions it has evoked. Whether read on the streets or from the comfort of the grave, Death Lines is a treat for all cinephiles, horror fans, and lovers of London lore. |
1 Folk Gothic - assets.cambridge.org
A landmark in the history of identifying folk horror, Gatiss’s History of Horror introduces ‘folk horror’ in part two, ‘Home Counties Horrors’. Towards the end of this episode, Gatiss shifts …
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In what ways is American history, and, in particular, the twin horrors of colonialism and slavery, represented in the U.S. ghost tourism industry? What kinds of stories are left in?
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Et in Arcadia Ego: British folk horror film and television
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1 Folk Gothic - assets.cambridg…
A landmark in the history of identifying folk horror, Gatiss’s History of Horror introduces ‘folk horror’ in …
Introduction: Defining Folk Hor…
Mar 1, 2020 · History of Horror, broadcast in 2010. Near the end of part two, ‘Home Counties Horrors’, …
A History Of Horror With Mar…
Chloe Germaine,2023-09-21 Following the material turn in the humanities this book brings perspectives from …
Something ‘wyrd’ this way comes: f…
Mark Gatiss, in his series for BBC Four, A History of Horror, described these films as sharing ‘a …
Horror Cinematic History By Mark …
Nov 20, 2024 · 'a history of horror with mark gatiss tv mini series 2010 June 6th, 2020 - with mark gatiss …
