Screams and Nightmares: The Films of Wes Craven

by Brian J. Robb

Draws on interviews with the noted director of such cult horror films as "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Scream" to trace his career from his low-budget beginnings, to recent box office hits, to future projects

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction, Film

195 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 1998

About the author

Brian J. Robb is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling biographer of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt. He has also written books on silent cinema, the films of Philip K. Dick, Wes Craven, and Laurel and Hardy, the Star Wars movies, Superheroes, Gangsters, and Walt Disney, as well as science fiction television series Doctor Who and Star Trek. His illustrated books include an Illustrated History of Steampunk and a guide to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth (Winner, Best Book, Tolkien Society Awards). He writes and edits the Chaplin: Film by Film centenary blog site and is co-editor of the Sci-Fi Bulletin website. He lives in Edinburgh.

Reviews

[Connor Girvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 stars

[Lily May · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give it 3.5 ⭐️ but the amount of times I had to read the name Weinstein made me gag so half a point has been taken off

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My partner brought me this book for Christmas since I am a huge Wes Craven fan. I don't typically read non-fiction however due to the subject I couldn't wait to dive into this.

I found this book very interesting if not a tad repetitive in places. There was alot of in-depth analysis of Craven's films using quotes from Craven himself and people involved in the films.
There was also photographs which open up the book in a way that makes it all tie the stories together.

It was all well put together and had a great pace.

[mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was not a book about the films of wes craven this was a book about wes craven making or attempting to make films. No process involved, no analysis no talk about you know, what’s actually on the screen. i’d rather have a play by play of just one movie than know every single detail about how much production companies were behind (or not) behind Craven. Too much box office and not enough screaming

[Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished. Not as much Scream and Nightmare stuff as I would've liked but still a good read.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in film, or directing. It doesn't matter if you like Wes' films or not. There is a wealth of insight into the creation of film.

[Başar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the trials and tribulations of one of my favorite directors, who managed successfully to become an auteur in Hollywood. Not an easy feat! R.I.P. Wes Craven. You owe me many sleepless nights because of Freddy Krueger. :)
This book is well written and chronicles Craven's directorial journey from his first film until Scream 2.
Recommend to anyone, who dreams of becoming a director. It sure wasn't easy for Wes Craven. Lot to learn from this book.

[Matt Hoemke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful look at Wes Craven's body of work from 1972-1997 through a series of interviews with the filmmaker. His frank dissections of his own film library and background added to films that would ultimately fall through was endlessly fascinating. A great read for fans of his work, I just wish there would be a follow up volume that carried through to the end of his career.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good hard look at a body of work including the first and last "Elm Street" movies, "The People Under the Stairs," "The Hills Have Eyes," "Last House on the Fucking Left," "Deadly Friend," and the "Scream" trilogy.

[Scott Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made up of a series of interviews with Wes Craven and others over a period of about 20 years. It's lacking in analysis but it gives a good overview of Craven's film work with special emphasis on the Nightmare on Elm Street series.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, Wes Craven is the man.