Horror film history

History of the first horror films

It is believed that 'Le manoir du diable' was the first ever horror movie made. The title means 'the house of the devil' and it's a 2 minute video containing Methistopheles summoning ghosts and gouls. There is an ongoing argument that is that another horror film, the execution of Mary Stuart, was also the first horror film. This is just a 18 second film of Mary Stuart being executed. Both films were estimated to have been filmed in 1895-1896.



The first ever full length horror film was a german film and was made in 1920. This film was called 'The Golem' and it is about a Jew that creates a clay monster to save other jews from persecution. Although this is the first full length horror film, the first one in America was the classic story 'Frankenstein' and it was filmed in 1931 and this was based on Mary Shelley's novel. The film was classed as horror purely because it involves a non-human monster that likes to eat people and ruin lives. Although me and my group do not wish to involve a monster in our film we do think that anything we want to do is achievable by knowing about Frankenstein.

Woman In Black

Woman In Black My second trailer of choice is the Women In Black. I have chosen this horror movie as its genre is the same as outs, as phycological horror. Features such as extreme close ups and and the charming eery wind up toy effect, I feel should be included in our film, as it exaggerated the tension, and creates an unsettling atmosphere. I also like the props used in the trailer such as old wooden dolls, and ratty chairs. I feel due us being an artistic group we can create some props similar to what is used, this could be a key feature to our film. I also admire the setting of this film, although it may be difficult to find an alone and abandoned house in the middle of a swamp,I feel confident that we could find something with the same unsettling atmosphere. As far as shots are concerned, I really admire some of the establishing shots used, as they really set the scene and produce the dis equilibrium. Other shots i hope to use include the point of view shot, and extreme close ups.

Alien (1979)

I have chosen Alien (1979) as it has a similar genre to what we are aiming for. The sound tracks and effects are a good reference for us to take inspiration from as heart beat, and phycological screaming may be included in our own film. In addition, many of the shots used in the trailer we are able to use in ours. for example, some of the tracking shots with rhythmic editing building up to a cresendo to create suspense and tension. this is exactly what we are aiming for. Make-up and dress style also look achievable if we are wanting to include them in our film, as it is mainly casual, and sweat, we could substitute for oily water.