The Encyclopedia of British Film (Third Edition) now out

[julian_craster]

The Encyclopedia of British Film (Third Edition) now out

If this book is new to you, it is well worth having. If you have an earlier edition, an upgrade largely depends on the state of your personal finances, or whether your earlier editions have fallen apart through over-use (yes, it really is that kind of book.....)

The Encyclopedia of British Film (Third Edition)
Edited by by Brian McFarlane
Paperback: 857 pages
Publisher: Methuen Publishing ; 3rd Rev Edition (published 28 Feb 2008)
ISBN: 9780413776600
UK Bookstore Price: £24.99
Amazon UK Price: £16.49 [Delivered FREE in the UK]
Amazon UK link:
Amazon.co.uk: The Encyclopedia of British Film: Brian McFarlane: Books

Features of 3rd edition:
* fully revised and updated articles, with errors in earlier editions corrected- each edition is more accurate than the previous one.

* the 3rd edition has a BLUE COVER - [so ask any re-sellers about this if you buy from them]

* there are no illustrations in 3rd edition.

* 3rd edition has a short preface by Dame Judi Dench (plus Philip French from earlier editions)

* 3rd edition is updated to 2007 (up to the dod of Deborah Kerr). It also has updated bibliographies.

* it has 160 new articles - new talents to the British film scene, some previously overlooked old talents, and several American visitors to our shores): emily blunt, rupert friend, jessica stephenson, martin freeman,
andrea arnold, joe wright, natalie ward. jayne mansfield, george chakiris, emmet dalton, greg smith, otto preminger, anne bancroft, richard fleischer, johnny douglas, john veale, ernest dudley, cinema orchestras and organists, circus in British film, sexton blake, paul maxwell, annette andre (plus 140 more that are new to 3rd edition.....)

[CaptainWaggett]

Do you get a cut for this, Julian? If so you'll be pleased to know I've ordered one for my workplace.

[julian_craster]

Sadly, no cut for me.......

[CaptainWaggett]

And have the errors been corrected? The first edition has a particularly heinous one relating to Anton Walbrook's stage career. As a matter of interest, what percentage of it is on the Screenonline site?

[julian_craster]

Yes, all known errors have been corrected.

At a guess, I would say about 10% of the EBF is on the Screenonline site......the book has over 6,000 articles.....

[CaptainWaggett]

Originally Posted by julian_craster Yes, all known errors have been corrected. At a guess, I would say about 10% of the EBF is on the Screenonline site......the book has over 6,000 articles.....

There's a mistake in the entry on Naunton Wayne so I'll look forward to checking up on that one

[batman]

Originally Posted by CaptainWaggett There's a mistake in the entry on Naunton Wayne so I'll look forward to checking up on that one

Quiet Batman .....

[CaptainWaggett]

[CaptainWaggett]

Well, the mistake is still there so I've cancelled my order... In case you are wondering, Baz and Naunton don't play incompetent real estate agents in It's Not Cricket because, well, because they're British. Actually they don't play any sort of estate agents - they're incompetent private detectives.

[julian_craster]

If you discover any errors in the EBF, the editor welcomes your e-mails (the address is at the end of the book's Preface), as this is how future editions can be improved.........

[lordtednfs]

Originally Posted by julian_craster If you discover any errors in the EBF, the editor welcomes your e-mails (the address is at the end of the book's Preface), as this is how future editions can be improved.........

Doesn't say at a lot for their researchers does it?

A book to buy? I don't think.

________________
Hooked off the line

[julian_craster]

I think one needs to place this in perspective. With over 6,000 articles, the number of errors in the 3rd edition of the EBF is very few. (100% error-free would be impossible given the human resources and time available...).

It is not like writing a book about one actor or director (and I have read quite a few of these that are not exactly error-free). where the checking of facts and proof-reading is far easier....

[orpheum]

The reviews on Amazon are quite mixed.I think that this is one book i would have to go and browse through in a book shop before buying.

[dpgmel]

Have just ordered this, can't wait to get stuck into it !

[billy bentley]

I would think that for an enthusiast like myself, who's knowledge is quite limited that it would be a very good, if imperfect reference book. But i'll wait until I visit Blighty in the summer and have a look first (any excuse to visit Foyle's)..