A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Film Noir: The Essential Reference Guide (Applause Books) Hardcover – Illustrated, October 1, 2013

Viewing Noir movies has been one of my favorite hobbies.Virtually every book on these movies is included in my library.Grant's book was good and a welcome addition to the Noir canon,But was a little over inclusive of films that used only some Noir elements.It would be difficult for a Noir novice to pick out the 'true' Noir movies.Also, he did not categorize or rank the films; ie masterpieces, classics etc.Based on my research during the past fifty years,The ultimate Noir films are those with these qualities (of course with some exceptions):Black and white movies filmed in the 1940'sAre 'B' movies without famous actorsStory line is told in the 1st person using voice-over narrationScenes take place in gritty urban settings during rain showersDark visual styling is used and most scenes occur at nightBig role in events is played by chanceSmoking and drinking take on sacramental overtonesChronological order creates a mood of lost time and hopelessnessAlmost all involve a 'non-hero' male who is manipulated by a 'femme-fatale'And know they are ultimately doomed in the endGrant also did not adequately discuss the iconic actors or directors of film Noir.These persons are paramount to what makes these films truly great.Despite this criticism, I did enjoy his book and glad I own a copy,But my favorite Film Noir reference remains the book written by Michael L. Stephens in 1961:'Film Noir: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Reference to Movies, Terms and Persons'

One of the best coffee table books on noir out there. Personally I would have liked some better indexing, because I am just interested in Noirs pre-1965 and this has modern neo-noirs mixed in as well. So you have to look through everything and systematically go through the book if you are a noir completist like myself, so a list in the back of noirs by year would have been nice.

Purchased this "film noir" encyclopedia new from Amazon via Prime. The item arrived in perfect condition within two days! As for the book itself, it is a rather extensive and exhaustive reference guide to all things "film noir". It does not contain a lot of photographs (mostly black and white), more fine print, but at almost 800 pages - this book covers just about anything and everything you could ask for related to noir + it could hold open a door in a stiff breeze too!

It's too comprehensive. I have several books on Film Noir and yet it seems no one knows what it really is. For my money the film has to have a truly EVIL character with no remorse. Just because a film is B&W and takes place in the inner city and the men wear hats does not make it Film Noir.

An excellent compilation of film reviews and interesting trivia. Would have benefited greatly from multiple tables of content (by year of release, by country of release, etc.).

Pricey but worth it. I might quibble with some of the additions as "noir" but as comprehensive a guide as I've seen with descriptions of movies, critical analysis and cast listing. If you're hardcore noir, this is the book to save your money for!

Great book for the film noir enthusiasts. Detailed information for numerous film noir movies. A book of reference and really essential for someone who wants to go deep into film noir.

NOT ENOUGHT PICTURES

This book is very much towards the 'reference' end of the spectrum, which is fine, but...The worst thing: Lots of modern non-noir entries that simply should not be there. For example, 'Face-Off', or 'The Big Lebowski'. If I wanted to read about those I could have chosen a hundred other books.Not enough pictures! Hardly any in fact.Descriptions are very brief.Extremely brief opinion at the end of the description, but not enough. Needs to be a bit more of a review in my opinion to be completely useful.Too expensive.But...it is packed full of titles and can be of some use, especially if you are hunting more noir films to watch.

A very impressive book full of information which is fascinating.

A great ,truly comprehensiveBook for film lovers

Fantastic Informative book on Noir, it's all here, wonderful!.

First the positives - the book looks good, is sturdy, well illustrated. Some decent reviews. However, a tome like this must be definitive - ask any obsessive - it only takes one blunder to sink the whole exercise. I've only browsed the book twice and I've spotted some changers already - where for example is the Gabin/Lupino vehicle Moontide? This is a cornerstone noir, one of my favourites. Why is the great Laird Cregar's surname give as 'Cregan' in the review of This Gun For Hire? On a more trivial note, there are many baffling inclusions ('Peeping Tom?) which are in no way shape or form film noirs. Its as if, in the race to reach 3.000 reviews, anything was considered - I'd have preferred a focus on the golden age (late 30s to early 60s) with more in depth material.In short an entertaining enough book to flick through but not the authoritative guide iI'd hoped for.