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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent reference book and a fun read.
Review: As an amateur film critic and historian, I found this book both accessible and excellently-researched. Although the book would serve well as a film history text, it is so clearly written and organized that one can learn much by simply picking a page and reading. For instance, the chronological presentation helps the novice (like myself) place the film in its historical context, while the criticisms of the films, which are all available on videocassette, highlight the artistic significance of the works, relating them to contemporary films and actors. While it is a comprehensive reference of 119 years of silent film, the abundance of photos throughout the book tell the story of the silents all by themselves. Finally, the index is the place to start if one wants to learn about the early days of so many stars of cinema's Golden Age, who started out in silents.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!!!
Review: I bought this book last year and love it and use it all the time. I get films from libraries all over the country and look up the movies that come in. I bring it with me if I am going somewhere that I will be awhile and read each review. It has a permanent place on my coffee table. If you love silent films, this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!!!
Review: I bought this book last year and love it and use it all the time. I get films from libraries all over the country and look up the movies that come in. I bring it with me if I am going somewhere that I will be awhile and read each review. It has a permanent place on my coffee table. If you love silent films, this book is a must.
Rating:
Summary: Back-story to the silents....
Review: I have owned "Silent Films, 1877-1996" for two years, and use it as a constant reference. (If you are a fan of TCM "Silent Sunday" or are a fan of silent movies and would like a guide to watching or purchasing silent film, this is the first reference to which I turn.) This does not cover absolutely every silent film, but there have been very few which I did not find information upon here. "Silent Films" also covers actors, directors, and other cinematographical information. The price tag is high, but for the silent movie buff it is indeed worth the price. I journal my silent movie viewings on its pages to keep a record. "Silent Films, 1877-1996" has gone from investment to treasure.
Rating:
Summary: Back-story to the silents....
Review: I have owned "Silent Films, 1877-1996" for two years, and use it as a constant reference. (If you are a fan of TCM "Silent Sunday" or are a fan of silent movies and would like a guide to watching or purchasing silent film, this is the first reference to which I turn.) This does not cover absolutely every silent film, but there have been very few which I did not find information upon here. "Silent Films" also covers actors, directors, and other cinematographical information. The price tag is high, but for the silent movie buff it is indeed worth the price. I journal my silent movie viewings on its pages to keep a record. "Silent Films, 1877-1996" has gone from investment to treasure.
Rating:
Summary: labor of love
Review: Klepper does a terrific job of giving a clear and succinct summary of the films, and then gives a lengthier and meatier discussion of the merits, often including plenty of fascinating trivia. This makes it a great book for endless hours of browsing through its many pages. It's also a great reference work, with plenty of cast and crew information, running times, and the like. Though expensive, it's one of my best purchases related to silent film ever and well worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: labor of love
Review: Robert Klepper has a remarkable love and knowledge of silent film. His understanding of the historical place of any movie he reviews is impressive and thoughtful. The book is a standing resource for any film enthusiast. In watching these films some of our favorite practices are to look for scenes that more modern films either steal (or pay omage to - depending on your thinking) and to pay attention to stunts that no actor or actress will ever have to duplicate in a more advanced film age. These are things that Robert Klepper also makes notice of and shares with his readers. I find his rating system to be reliable to my own standards and his humor to be very welcome - though I think some readers might miss some of it. I do cherish this particular book and guard it heavily - no one is permited to borrow it. (I am usually pretty generous with my shelves.) I assure you that the book is well worth the price -it is an excellent resource to the novice or the expert. J
Rating:
Summary: We needed more books from him . . .
Review: Sadly, Robert Klepper died in 2000, at the age of 32. A very nice fellow and an important film historian. Do pick up this worthwhile book, and mourn the fact that there will be no more from him.
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