Empires of the Imagination

The warlocks and ghosts of fantasy film haunt our popular culture, but the genre has too long been ignored by critics. This comprehensive critical survey of fantasy cinema demonstrates that the fantasy genre amounts to more than escapism. Through a meticulously researched analysis of more than a century of fantasy pictures—from the seminal work of Georges Méliès to Peter Jackson’s recent tours of Middle–earth—the work identifies narrative strategies and their recurring components and studies patterns of challenge and return, setting and character.

First addressing the difficult task of defining the genre, the work examines fantasy as a cultural force in both film and literature and explores its relation to science fiction, horror, and fairy tales. Fantasy’s development is traced from the first days of film, with emphasis on how the evolving genre reflected such events as economic depression and war. Also considered is fantasy’s expression of politics, as either the subject of satire or fuel for the fires of propaganda. Discussion ventures into the subgenres, from stories of invented lands inhabited by fantastic creatures to magical adventures set in the familiar world, and addresses clashes between fantasy and faith, such as the religious opposition to the Harry Potter phenomenon. From the money-making classics to little-known arthouse films, this richly illustrated work covers every aspect of fantasy film.

Author Alec Worley lives in London, England. He writes comics, books and audio dramas set in the worlds of fantasy, sci-fi and horror. Find out more at alecworley.com.

Alec Worley
Foreword by Brian Sibley
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 304
Bibliographic Info: 50 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2020 [2005]
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8137-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1183-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      viii
Foreword by Brian Sibley      1
Preface      3

1. Locating Fantasy      7
2. The Birth of Fantasy Cinema      17
3. Fairy Tales      25
4. Earthbound Fantasy      83
5. Heroic Fantasy      162
6. Epic Fantasy      232

Bibliography      273
Index      275

• “Most useful…recommended”—Choice
• “Comprehensive…meticulously researched…richly illustrated”—Prehistoric Times
• “Long overdue”—Dreamwatch
• “Critical survey…comprehensive…Worley has researched his subject with the thoroughness of a scholar”—Film Review
• “An impassioned and enthusiastic read that really makes you want to seek out the more obscure titles…and believe in fairies”—VECTOR: The Critical Journal of the British Science Fiction Association
• “Terrific analysis…that tracks fantasy trends throughout film history…Worley makes points with reason and intelligence and the result is an impressive book…a stimulating read”—NCFlix