Listmania!
Inspiration for Special Effects artists
King Kong [DVD] [1933] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]King Kong [DVD] [1933] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £12.99
this is IT. The reason why special effects exist is this film right here. Only buy the region 1 version, everything else pales in comparison.
Ray Harryhausen: Legendary Monster Series [DVD] [1963] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Ray Harryhausen: Legendary Monster Series [DVD] [1963] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £14.99
includes excellent documentary on Harryhausen. Remeber it's possible to play region 1 on most computers.
Ray Harryhausen: An Animated LifeRay Harryhausen: An Animated Life by Ray Harryhausen
Buy new: £22.75 / Used from: £17.99
informative and inspiring
The Winston Effect: The Art and History of Stan Winston StudioThe Winston Effect: The Art and History of Stan Winston Studio by Jody Duncan
Buy new: £20.74 / Used from: £44.67
Special Effects: The History and TechniqueSpecial Effects: The History and Technique by Richard Rickitt
Buy new: £22.23 / Used from: £20.00
Special Effects: An Oral HistorySpecial Effects: An Oral History by Pascal Pinteau
Buy used from: £14.51
Special Effects Make-up: For Film and Theatre (Special Effects) (Backstage)Special Effects Make-up: For Film and Theatre (Special Effects) (Backstage) by Janus Vinther
Buy new: £13.00 / Used from: £6.24
Industrial Light and Magic: Art of Special EffectsIndustrial Light and Magic: Art of Special Effects by Thomas G. Smith
Buy used from: £28.74
Industrial Light and Magic (Into the digital realm)Industrial Light and Magic (Into the digital realm) by Cotta Mark Vaz
Buy used from: £40.00
Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI) [DVD] [1977]Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI) [DVD] [1977]
Buy used from: £10.98
includes excellent documentary
The Making of "Star Wars": The Definitive Story Behind the Original FilmThe Making of "Star Wars": The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film by J.W. Rinzler
Buy new: £24.23 / Used from: £24.99
Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the "Star Wars" Model Shop: Inside the "Star Wars" Model ShopSculpting a Galaxy: Inside the "Star Wars" Model Shop: Inside the "Star Wars" Model Shop by Lorne Peterson
Buy new: £22.71 / Used from: £16.49
The Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matte PaintingThe Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matte Painting by Mark Cotta Vaz
Matte painting is hugely underappreciated, especially in old films. This book is a real treat.
Equinox [DVD] [1970] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]Equinox [DVD] [1970] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
early film from Dennis Muren (now head of ILM), full of crude but fun special effects in the Harryhausen vein
2001: A Space Odyssey (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [1968]2001: A Space Odyssey (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [1968]
Buy new: £4.88 / Used from: £3.99
Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal [DVD] [1985] [US Import]Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal [DVD] [1985] [US Import]
inspiring documentary on one of the great fantasy film makers
Movie MagicMovie Magic by John Brosnan
Buy used from: £0.01
interesting book charting the history of special effects up till 1974
CINEFEXCINEFEX by DON SHAY
Buy used from: £6.99
Cinefex is the industry quarterly, go on the website to order back issues or subscribe
Thunderbirds: Volume 1 [DVD] [1965]Thunderbirds: Volume 1 [DVD] [1965]
Buy new: £11.98 / Used from: £4.39
all Gerry Anderson series have excellent special effects and pyrotechnics
Ilya Muromets [DVD] [1956] [US Import]Ilya Muromets [DVD] [1956] [US Import]
Buy used from: £21.95
go to the Rusico website for more Ptushko films. Karel Zeman is also worth tracking down.