A very interesting documentary on the US horror films of the '60s and '70s. The mixture of interviews with some directors (Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven, George Romero etc), film clips and social commentary works well. Films are shown as reflections of the society in which they were made - not an earth-shaking revelation, but the witty commentaries, particularly by Carol Clover and John Landis, bring home the changes in style and taste through the two decades.
Inevitably the perspective is partial, restricted to US films (and Cronenberg's 'Shivers')and to selected film-makers. But it is a very entertaining documentary - and you can apply its messages to the obsessions influencing the European horror film-makers of the same period.
Inevitably the perspective is partial, restricted to US films (and Cronenberg's 'Shivers')and to selected film-makers. But it is a very entertaining documentary - and you can apply its messages to the obsessions influencing the European horror film-makers of the same period.