My essay on the history of the horror genre
THE HISTORY OF HORROR FILMS
Horror films are disturbing movies that attempt to instil emotions of disgust, fear and repulsiveness into an audience. Horror films/thriller films are built on suspense, for instance conventional horror film features regular jump scenes, these scenes makes the audience jump frequently causing them to apprehend as they are put in the perspective of the victims in the horror film. As a result, I will explore the key components that conjunct to create a high degree of fear and thrill to the audience. Furthermore, I will also be highlighting the key films that have played a fundamental role in the development of horror films, social effects and the five golden roles which are essential to a great horror film.
Five golden rules to horror films: To create a renowned horror film there are five components which have to be blended together to produce a thrilling horror movie. First and foremost, it is essential to leave the audience in suspense. Hence the constant use of jump scenes to leave the audience at the age of their seats, this could be achieved in many ways for instance, the sudden appearance of the psychopathic killer or the huge gory monster appearing in front of the screen. Secondly, another indispensable ingredient to a successful horror film would be the consistent use of music to convey fear. Sound in horror movies is essential because it usually depicts the feelings of the viewers and conjuncts with the horror effect. Consequently, a substantial amount of horror films use music, such as a piano or a squeaky noise in the background to convey that danger is not far away. The third element to a distinguished horror film is a sexual related relationship. Most horror films particularly in the slasher genre embark upon a virgin and a sexually active person; conventionally; the sexually active person always gets victimized first because they are illustrated as immoral. Whereas, the virgin principally survives to face the monster, this is also known as the final girl theory by Carol Clover.
Furthermore, the fourth and arguably the most imperative of the five key rules is that the monster should never die. This is so the monsters powers is upheld and can be deemed invincible. It is also done for economical reasons, the fact that the monster dies allows production companies such as the Universal to continue to produce numerous horror movies. A typical epitome would be the `exorcist’. Finally, the last golden rule is `curiosity’, a representative horror films story line can never be foreseen, so the audience is indirectly curious to the events unfolding in the next seen.
Early history: Many of the first horror films created were produced in the 1910 and 20s by German film makers during the era of `German expressionists films’, this period refers to the creativity that the Germans expressed at the beginning of the First World War, these films had significant authority on the Hollywood Horror genre films. This era also produced the first vampire movie the `Nosferatu 1922’ and preyed on the worries of society of the supernatural, this horror film hailed a great degree of meaning in the horror film genre because it encouraged film makers to explore, the film was popular since it had modified the conformist character in a horror movie, it had embark upon the use of deformation which made characters look scary and therefore, brought more fear to the audience. In addition another primary element which coincided with the creation of horror movies was `Dawins’ theory, that humans were made from monkeys became more acceptable subsequently, horror film producers put the fairs of taboo behind and started creating imaginative and extraordinary films such as `The phantom of the opera’
It was the 1930s and 40s predominantly Universal that popularized producing horror films. Although, 1910 and the 20s arguably was the groundwork to the rapid blossoming of horror films the 1930s could not be undermined. This is because science and experiments had supremacy in the horror genre, the 30s brought about the construction of a new genre which we know as `science fiction films’ and `Gothic’ in particular in terms of religion because the genre gave monster characters Godly characteristics and supernatural powers such as bringing the dead back to life, these astonishing scenes were most notable in Dracula 1931, Frankenstein 1931 and The Wolf Man 1941 were exceedingly successful due to its outstanding unconventional characters.
The 50s and 60s sustained the budding that foresaw the success that the 30s and 40s had acquired. The 50s and 60s also brought about a boom in technological advancement in society and liberalisation, as a result films drifted from the gothic genre to producing films that related more to meticulous audiences. For instance, the threat of invasion such as aliens became trendy in the formation of horror. The threat of invasion also implemented more fright into society, 1959 was a interlude of war and mutinies internally and externally in different countries producing films such as the `invasion of the body snatchers’ causing great paranoia in society. Furthermore, during the late 50s and 60s, low budget horror production companies, such as the `hammer films production’, began producing extremely graphical bloody films such as Dracula 1985 these companies gained extensive recognition and became the pillars to the modern horror genre. George Remero`s `night of the Living dead’ is a wonderful epitome to illustrate the demand in consumerism during this era, Remero made a film with a total cost of $114,000 conversely, he made more than $30 million globally.
Moreover, the 70s and 80s were eras of sexual exploitation, in consensus it can be established that sex could be associated with love and romance. However, this painting would not be properly conveyed if it was interpreted in that way. Sex on the other hand, was completely the opposite as the 70s saw disease flourish chiefly sexually transmitted diseases. Consequently, the film industry began initiating films illustrating society’s fear of penetration as films became more unthinkable. The 70s as well was a period of attack on Christianity with films conforming to witch craft such as the Wickerman 1973 films like the Wickerman made people questions there faiths. Another film which again contradicts the doctrines of the Bible is the Exorcist 1973 this film had a psychological effect on society as young child was shown being attacked by evil spirits. Albeit, this film was seen as taboo the film still managed to achieve revenue of around £160 million. This film seemed to open the floodgates to religious attacks as the Omen tried to top the exorcist by using a supernatural child. Additionally, the 1980s was the period that psychopathic killers thrived because it represented the dread of society that an arbitrary psycho could be your next door neighbour.
This era was also the birth of teen slasher films for instance, Halloween 1978; also cannibalism flourished such as Cannibal Holocaust 1981 these genres are also a small sphere to the largely growing horror film genre as new genres are being created frequently ranging from monster movies to sci-fi to slasher films.
Codes and conventions: right through this essay it has been established were horror movies originated and the influential factors which have aided the development of the much spoken about genre. However, most horror films follow conventional ways of creating setting and adding to the fear factor. For example, most horror films e.g. slasher films commonly is located in a isolated area such as a campsite or a large farm house, this is because the audience can directly relate to the places and therefore forms further fear. Another analytical area that horror films usually make specific choices is weaponry, for instance, guns are never used because it’s impersonal and doesn’t contribute to continuity of pain, thus more conventional weapons are favoured such as a knife, chainsaw, hammer, Fishermans hook and a pickaxe because the connote bloody and danger.
Conclusively, it can be established that the horror genre throughout the years has rapidly grown both economically and in terms of circulation based on the fundamental growth in our renowned technology. The stimulation in the creativity of horror can be associated with many different people and different influences in society nevertheless, one thing that can never be undermined is the essential five golden rules, and these rules have formed a template to a successful horror. There is no doubt that horror has had its negative perceptions globally and expressly in Britain yet, this does not demoralize the positive effect on society as horror films indirectly connotes our inner thoughts and has become a vital part of our urban society.
Horror films are disturbing movies that attempt to instil emotions of disgust, fear and repulsiveness into an audience. Horror films/thriller films are built on suspense, for instance conventional horror film features regular jump scenes, these scenes makes the audience jump frequently causing them to apprehend as they are put in the perspective of the victims in the horror film. As a result, I will explore the key components that conjunct to create a high degree of fear and thrill to the audience. Furthermore, I will also be highlighting the key films that have played a fundamental role in the development of horror films, social effects and the five golden roles which are essential to a great horror film.
Five golden rules to horror films: To create a renowned horror film there are five components which have to be blended together to produce a thrilling horror movie. First and foremost, it is essential to leave the audience in suspense. Hence the constant use of jump scenes to leave the audience at the age of their seats, this could be achieved in many ways for instance, the sudden appearance of the psychopathic killer or the huge gory monster appearing in front of the screen. Secondly, another indispensable ingredient to a successful horror film would be the consistent use of music to convey fear. Sound in horror movies is essential because it usually depicts the feelings of the viewers and conjuncts with the horror effect. Consequently, a substantial amount of horror films use music, such as a piano or a squeaky noise in the background to convey that danger is not far away. The third element to a distinguished horror film is a sexual related relationship. Most horror films particularly in the slasher genre embark upon a virgin and a sexually active person; conventionally; the sexually active person always gets victimized first because they are illustrated as immoral. Whereas, the virgin principally survives to face the monster, this is also known as the final girl theory by Carol Clover.
Furthermore, the fourth and arguably the most imperative of the five key rules is that the monster should never die. This is so the monsters powers is upheld and can be deemed invincible. It is also done for economical reasons, the fact that the monster dies allows production companies such as the Universal to continue to produce numerous horror movies. A typical epitome would be the `exorcist’. Finally, the last golden rule is `curiosity’, a representative horror films story line can never be foreseen, so the audience is indirectly curious to the events unfolding in the next seen.
Early history: Many of the first horror films created were produced in the 1910 and 20s by German film makers during the era of `German expressionists films’, this period refers to the creativity that the Germans expressed at the beginning of the First World War, these films had significant authority on the Hollywood Horror genre films. This era also produced the first vampire movie the `Nosferatu 1922’ and preyed on the worries of society of the supernatural, this horror film hailed a great degree of meaning in the horror film genre because it encouraged film makers to explore, the film was popular since it had modified the conformist character in a horror movie, it had embark upon the use of deformation which made characters look scary and therefore, brought more fear to the audience. In addition another primary element which coincided with the creation of horror movies was `Dawins’ theory, that humans were made from monkeys became more acceptable subsequently, horror film producers put the fairs of taboo behind and started creating imaginative and extraordinary films such as `The phantom of the opera’
It was the 1930s and 40s predominantly Universal that popularized producing horror films. Although, 1910 and the 20s arguably was the groundwork to the rapid blossoming of horror films the 1930s could not be undermined. This is because science and experiments had supremacy in the horror genre, the 30s brought about the construction of a new genre which we know as `science fiction films’ and `Gothic’ in particular in terms of religion because the genre gave monster characters Godly characteristics and supernatural powers such as bringing the dead back to life, these astonishing scenes were most notable in Dracula 1931, Frankenstein 1931 and The Wolf Man 1941 were exceedingly successful due to its outstanding unconventional characters.
The 50s and 60s sustained the budding that foresaw the success that the 30s and 40s had acquired. The 50s and 60s also brought about a boom in technological advancement in society and liberalisation, as a result films drifted from the gothic genre to producing films that related more to meticulous audiences. For instance, the threat of invasion such as aliens became trendy in the formation of horror. The threat of invasion also implemented more fright into society, 1959 was a interlude of war and mutinies internally and externally in different countries producing films such as the `invasion of the body snatchers’ causing great paranoia in society. Furthermore, during the late 50s and 60s, low budget horror production companies, such as the `hammer films production’, began producing extremely graphical bloody films such as Dracula 1985 these companies gained extensive recognition and became the pillars to the modern horror genre. George Remero`s `night of the Living dead’ is a wonderful epitome to illustrate the demand in consumerism during this era, Remero made a film with a total cost of $114,000 conversely, he made more than $30 million globally.
Moreover, the 70s and 80s were eras of sexual exploitation, in consensus it can be established that sex could be associated with love and romance. However, this painting would not be properly conveyed if it was interpreted in that way. Sex on the other hand, was completely the opposite as the 70s saw disease flourish chiefly sexually transmitted diseases. Consequently, the film industry began initiating films illustrating society’s fear of penetration as films became more unthinkable. The 70s as well was a period of attack on Christianity with films conforming to witch craft such as the Wickerman 1973 films like the Wickerman made people questions there faiths. Another film which again contradicts the doctrines of the Bible is the Exorcist 1973 this film had a psychological effect on society as young child was shown being attacked by evil spirits. Albeit, this film was seen as taboo the film still managed to achieve revenue of around £160 million. This film seemed to open the floodgates to religious attacks as the Omen tried to top the exorcist by using a supernatural child. Additionally, the 1980s was the period that psychopathic killers thrived because it represented the dread of society that an arbitrary psycho could be your next door neighbour.
This era was also the birth of teen slasher films for instance, Halloween 1978; also cannibalism flourished such as Cannibal Holocaust 1981 these genres are also a small sphere to the largely growing horror film genre as new genres are being created frequently ranging from monster movies to sci-fi to slasher films.
Codes and conventions: right through this essay it has been established were horror movies originated and the influential factors which have aided the development of the much spoken about genre. However, most horror films follow conventional ways of creating setting and adding to the fear factor. For example, most horror films e.g. slasher films commonly is located in a isolated area such as a campsite or a large farm house, this is because the audience can directly relate to the places and therefore forms further fear. Another analytical area that horror films usually make specific choices is weaponry, for instance, guns are never used because it’s impersonal and doesn’t contribute to continuity of pain, thus more conventional weapons are favoured such as a knife, chainsaw, hammer, Fishermans hook and a pickaxe because the connote bloody and danger.
Conclusively, it can be established that the horror genre throughout the years has rapidly grown both economically and in terms of circulation based on the fundamental growth in our renowned technology. The stimulation in the creativity of horror can be associated with many different people and different influences in society nevertheless, one thing that can never be undermined is the essential five golden rules, and these rules have formed a template to a successful horror. There is no doubt that horror has had its negative perceptions globally and expressly in Britain yet, this does not demoralize the positive effect on society as horror films indirectly connotes our inner thoughts and has become a vital part of our urban society.
Watch this documentary
There is a new documentary on BBC4 'A History of Horror' starts on the 11th Oct. Make sure you watch it.
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