Dictionary of Films

by Georges Sadoul

This volume is a compact guide to the world’s most important films. This essential reference provides credits, dates, succinct synopses, and brief critical comments on about 400 films.

442 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Adriana Scarpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normalmente esse tipo de compilação não dá muito certo, mas o Sadoul obviamente sabe do que está falando e seleciona filmes interessantes para comentar - mas cuidado, a maioria delas vem com o que a geração atual menos preza: spoilers. Na edição nacional colocou-se como um apêndice com obras brasileiras indicadas pelo Goida.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the cornerstone film books in my collection. Sadoul was part of the vanguard of early film criticism before World War II, and many of the film entries in this "dictionary" often relied on his memories of very distant World War I and 1920s-era silents of his youth, some that are long lost.

In the late 1940s, Sadoul published his life's work, an incredible, massive and thorough multi-volume set of the history of cinema (Histoire du cinema mondiale) which, regrettably has never been translated into English. Crumbling old copies of it can be found in a few libraries or procured from specialty sellers online at great cost. I've skimmed through most of that yellowing, fragile multi-part magnum opus at a university library, and for the purposes of my own research painstakingly translated those parts that provided unique information on some of the early films that were once considered part of the great canon but which are now totally forgotten.

This condensation of Sadoul's critical work selects the cream of mostly Euro art cinema titles, mainly prior to the '50s, but is updated by its translator with some films up through the '60s and includes some unavoidable Hollywood fare. For a long time, Sadoul's guide was the only book covering many of these movies, and his perspective is unique, if not always reliable. I think this is the first book I ever read that mentioned André Bazin and mise-en-scéne.

I have a well-worn copy of this dictionary, acquired in the late '70s, I think. At the time I bought this guide, there was no hope of seeing many of the films listed in it; they were so rare and obscure and unobtainable. What a difference 30-40 years makes. I've seen nearly all of them now.

For me this book remains essential.

(KevinR@Ky)

[Malika-Liki · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting for a Cinema fan like me. read it several times
a good way to discover some classics and some underrated films/movies

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1981 so it misses most of the films I've grown up watching. But I am nostalgic: it was first guide cinéaste and I thumbed through it until all the pages fell out.