Review by Choice Review
The first volume of a projected two-volume work treating the work and lives of about 400 of the world's best-known film directors, from the beginning of cinema to the present. Directors born before 1920 and well-launched on their careers before 1945 are covered in the first volume. As Wakeman clearly and candidly points out in his introduction, the book is intended primarily for students and moviegoers as a handy guide to information on famous directors whose films are easily seen in the US and Britain. Except for a few signed articles by film scholars (mainly British), the articles do not represent original research. Instead, they bring together information previously scattered through many reference books, monographs, critical essays, and other sources. Each article contains biographical information, a photograph of the director, overviews of key works, and a digest of popular and critical reception. Detailed filmographies are also provided as well as modest bibliographies. A fine and informative film reference work. Although other titles offer similar information, this work's attention to detail and correction of misinformation is refreshing. Highly recommended for all reference collections.-D.R. Brunning, Arizona State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
The first volume of World Film Directors covers 202 directors with a detailed, often film-by-film biography, filmography, and bibliography. It is less opinionated than Richard Roud's Cinema: a critical dictionary ( Viking, 1980) and not as complete or contemporary (by design) as the annual Film Directors . The International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, edited by Christopher Lyon ( LJ 11/1/84) includes more names and a better bibliography. However, World is the best of the bunch, mainly because of the quality and scope of its writing and the condensing of critical viewpoints. If you needed to know more about these people and their films, you'd have to turn to a full-length biography. Indispensable.David Bartholomew, NYPL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Library Journal Review
