Halliwell's Film and Video Guide 2001

by John Walker

For more than twenty years, Halliwell's has provided highly intelligent, sharply opinionated, and always entertaining reviews of your favorite films -- from the classics of the silver screen to the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060957980
• ISBN13: 9780060957988
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 960 Pages
• Weight: 3.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 8.3" x 10.7"

Customer Reviews

An ideal guide for those favoring Golden Age movies

In spite of certain limitations, Halliwell's guide far surpasses any other. From 1965 until 1989, Leslie Halliwell wrote every word of his reviews personally, not by committee. He wrote with definite prejudices: he loved Golden Age movies that represented the best products of the studio system; he loved wholesome, unpretentious movies that sought simply to entertain as well as weightier films; he hated arty films for talking down to audiences and for failing to entertain; he hated 70s-style films that featured solely unattractive characters; he rated films for how they fared as a collective effort by many contributors, not as the mystical work of, say, a director; he rated films very strictly, giving, perhaps, no more than 10% of all his reviews either a 3 or 4 star rating (on a scale of 0 to 4), with most getting no more than 1 star. In short, he went against many modern trends in film, making him a gem for those valuing perspective and sharp judgment while eschewing fads and fashions. And he wrote as a highly gifted man with a 50s Cambridge education and an apt, pithy manner of expression. This, then, is the nearest one can come in the world of film reviewers to what may be regarded as a sure guide to quality. The updates since Mr. Halliwell's death in 1989 have paralleled what is more typically found in other popular reviewers, which, while mildly disappointing, still does not detract materially from the continuing power of the work. Halliwell with a few warts is still far and away the best, given that the essential Halliwell remains. Highly recommended.

The best guide for classic movies

There are probably better books for newer films (let's say made from the 70s onward), but for older Hollywood this is the best. It's exhaustive in its reach; buy it once and you never have to update it. The late Halliwell is concise and has a rapier's wit (Strunk & White would be proud). For many films he collates great comments from other reviewers of old-- even if they conflict with his. The movies are graded at a high standard (no curve here) and all in all it's a delight to read.

My favorite film guide -- the 2001 edition is no exception

"Halliwell's Film & Video Guide" has always been my favorite guide to films since the first edition came out many years ago. The first thing I noticed about Halliwell was that he used the entire 4-star scale in a consistent way. Most other film guides, while they purport to rate movies on a scale of 0 to 4 stars, really just use 2.5 to 4 (with ratings of 0 to 2 all meaning "not recommended" -- but who cares whether a film is rated 1 versus 1.5; if it's not recommended, don't bother). Halliwell's system takes some getting used to, but once you see the value in it (if you give it enough time), the pay-off is worthwhile. And another refreshing aspect is that relatively few films get the highest rating of 4-stars, unlike some critics who give 4-stars to half the films they see, making the rating meaningless.After Halliwell died, John Walker took over. He almost immediately 'updated' many of Halliwell's ratings (e.g., "Persona," which used to rank a 2-star rating, was upgraded to 4-stars). I agree with most of Walkers updates, though he has a slight tendency to over-rate, in my opinion.Many film entries are peppered with quotes from other critics, often going against Halliwell's and Walker's assessment and offering an alternate evaluation -- this shows that these gentleman have an open mind.This is a thoroughly enjoyable, incredibly well-researched book. Worth every penny. But stay with it -- it's a goldmine if you take the time to delve in. And like all huge undertakings, you're bound to find typos. For example, check out what Walker has to say about "Sweet and Lowdown" and you'll realize that he meant to give the film more than zero stars.