A New Heritage of Horror

In A New Heritage of Horror, David Pirie embarks on a captivating exploration of the evolution of British gothic film and television, dissecting its rich tapestry of themes and cultural significance. This insightful work delves into the genre's origins, examining the foundational texts and films that have shaped our understanding of fear and the macabre.

The Story

Pirie takes readers on a historical journey, tracing British horror cinema from its origins in Gothic literature through the rise of Hammer Films, its key directors and its battles with the censors. Drawing on insider accounts and archival sources, he investigates horror versus realism in popular fiction, explores sub-genres such as comedy horror and sci-fi, and analyses the horror boom around films including The Others and 28 Days Later. He brings the story up to the present day, with films such as Shaun of the Dead, Under the Skin and Censor, the rise of folk horror, and a new generation of writers and directors including Prano Bailey-Bond, Ben Wheatley and Edgar Wright.

Why Readers Love It

• Insightful Analysis: Pirie's scholarly approach blends film theory with historical context, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the genre.
• Engaging Prose: The writing is both accessible and thought-provoking, appealing to both casual readers and film aficionados.
• Cultural Relevance: The story reaches the present day, from the rise of folk horror to films that tackle questions of race and gender.

Perfect For

This book is ideal for students of film studies, enthusiasts of horror cinema, and anyone intrigued by the psychological and cultural dimensions of fear. This edition has been revised and updated to cover films and TV dramas newly discovered, restored or released since the previous edition in 2007.

“A New Heritage is the best study of British horror movies and an important contribution to the study of British cinema as a whole.” – Martin Scorsese, on the first edition