The B. F. I. COMPANION TO THE WESTERN

Provides information about the West, three hundred key westerns, and actors, directors, screenwriters and cinematographers associated with the western

In addition to the obligatory annotated list of best Western movies, this entertaining compendium from the British Film Institute provides a fascinating "Dictionary of Culture and History," which compares the real West to its celluloid counterpart. "Scalping," "prostitution," "Bat Masterson," "Dalton Gang," and "Springfield Rifle" are some of the 400 biographical/thematic entries, which give not only historical details but cite Westerns in which the character/topic figures prominently. Other major sections include a biographical directory, with filmographies for over 400 actors, directors, scriptwriters, etc., as well as a listing with credits and descriptions of every Western TV series and made-for-TV movie. Rounding off the volume is a fine 40-page essay on the history of the Western, hundreds of black-and-white photographs (many, though, are too tiny), and a 12-page color insert of Western-genre paintings. This offers much more than the standard Western book, e.g., Phil Hardy's The Western ( LJ 2/1/84), whose major feature is an annotated list of films. Casual moviegoers and experts alike will enjoy the historical perspective and posse of clever insights presented here. Highly recommended.
- Richard W. Grefrath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.