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Horror & exploitation filmmaking documentaries

by Visioneer • Created 14 years ago • Modified 2 years ago
Updated on regular basis - in random order. They're mostly full-length documentaries about horror and exploitation filmmaking, plus some noteworthy featurettes.
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  • 134 titles
  • Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006)

    1. Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film

    20061h 28mUnrated
    7.2 (3.7K)
    A documentary on the history of the slasher film.
    DirectorJeff McQueenStarsEd GreenWes CravenJohn Carpenter
  • American Grindhouse (2010)

    2. American Grindhouse

    20101h 20mNot Rated
    7.1 (2.7K)
    A documentary about the history of exploitation movies, from the silent-film era to the 1970s.
    DirectorElijah DrennerStarsRobert ForsterEric SchaeferEddie Muller
  • Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film (2009)

    3. Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film

    20091h 36mUnrated
    7.1 (3K)
    An exploration of the appeal of horror films, with interviews of many legendary directors in the genre.
    DirectorAndrew MonumentStarsLance HenriksenLarry CohenJoe Dante
  • Pat Barrington in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

    4. Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies

    20011h 29mNot Rated
    7.1 (711)
    A look at several legendary 'exploitation' film-makers from the golden days of drive-in movies, and how they had a lasting effect on the movie landscape in general.
    DirectorRay GreeneStarsRay GreeneRoger CormanDavid F. Friedman
  • A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss (2010)

    5. A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss

    20103 epsTV Mini Series
    8.1 (859)
    Mark Gatiss examines the history of the horror film, from classic Hollywood monsters to Hammer's glory days and beyond.
    StarsMark GatissJohn CarpenterMichael Roberts
  • Monsterland (2009)

    6. Monsterland

    20091h 20mTV Movie
    6.2 (182)
    Monsterland journeys through time and around the world, exploring diverse monster types, from the origins of the latex monster in devastated postwar Japan to the aliens and serial murderers of 1980s American cinema, and on to the rise of King Kong's digital descendants in the face of 21st-century terrors. One after another, a broad spectrum of monsters emerges that mirrors the range of our fears and longings. Director Jörg Buttgereit, himself a monster fan and also a director of horror films, assembles before the camera the great masters and connoisseurs of the genre: monster-makers such as Gremlins creator Joe Dante, analytical horror director John Carpenter, monster designers like H.R. Giger and painter Joe Coleman, special effects guru Gregory Nicotero, make up artist Rick Baker and Godzilla performer Kenpachiro Satsuma. They discuss their lives and their work with and for their monstrous creatures and relate to us the dark passion that they share. This documentary is a visual journey of exploration to the centers of monster culture: the megacity of Tokyo, a gigantic organism spawning machine-monsters; the sunshine city of Los Angeles, where knife-wielding killers roam night time streets; and the graceful skyscrapers of New York, which in both film and reality have been transformed into a doomsday panorama. Impressions of these places converge in the dense images of old and new monster films, blending with sinister, surreal drawings by monster designers, views into the chamber of horrors of the special effects studios, and pictures of fans in bizarre monster costumes.
    DirectorJörg ButtgereitStarsRick BakerJohn CarpenterJoe Coleman
  • The American Nightmare (2000)

    7. The American Nightmare

    20001h 13mNot Rated
    7.2 (2K)
    An examination into the nature of 1960s-'70s horror films, the artists involved, and how they reflected contemporary society.
    DirectorAdam SimonStarsGeorge A. RomeroJohn CarpenterTom Savini
  • Starz Inside: Fantastic Flesh (2008)

    8. Starz Inside: Fantastic Flesh

    20081hTV-14TV Movie
    7.4 (299)
    This documentary delves into the art of make-up effects with the best industry legends.
    DirectorKevin VanHookStarsHoward BergerRob BottinJosh Brolin
  • The Fearmakers Collection (2007)

    9. The Fearmakers Collection

    20075hVideo
    6.9 (50)
    Half-hour profiles of ten of the screen's masters of classic terror and suspense, based on the book THE FEARMAKERS (St. Martin's Press, 1994) by John McCarty.
    DirectorJohn McCartyStarsJohn AgarDario ArgentoSamuel Z. Arkoff
  • Bloodsucking Cinema (2007)

    10. Bloodsucking Cinema

    200756mTV-MATV Movie
    6.1 (215)
    The sound of flapping bat wings, an empty coffin, glistening fangs, tiny punctures on the neck, the sensual taste of blood, a blank reflection, fear of the cross, and death from daylight. These are the creatures of the night, and as legendary (but fictional) vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing exclaimed: "Gentlemen, we are dealing with the undead!" Perhaps the most enduring film genre of all time, vampire films continue to haunt us on the big screen. Why are we fascinated with the myth of these immortal souls? Could it be the living forever part, or perhaps the fact that they have an unearthly sexual attraction to both males and females? Whatever it is, audiences around the world can't seem to get enough of them.
    DirectorBarry GrayStarsUwe BollEverett BurrellJohn Carpenter
  • Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror (2001)

    11. Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror

    200157mRTV Movie
    6.8 (681)
    Documentary that explores Argento's film career.
    DirectorLeon FergusonStarsMark KermodeDario ArgentoJohn Carpenter
  • Christopher Lee in 100 Years of Horror (1996)

    12. 100 Years of Horror

    199626 epsUnratedTV Series
    7.0 (522)
    Clips from Horror Films.
    StarsChristopher LeeRoger CormanHugh Hefner
  • Horror Business (2007)

    13. Horror Business

    20071h 22mNot RatedVideo
    5.4 (212)
    Take a walk on the scary side with guerrilla horror filmmakers and the bizarre culture that drives them to pursue their dreams. In 2003, filmmaker Christopher P. Garetano began what would become a two-year journey to discover what possesses people to become horror filmmakers. Armed with nothing but a camera and a microphone, Chris traveled all over the United States to visit independent filmmakers on and off their sets. In Horror Business, you will witness that quest unfold and meet some truly independent filmmakers including Mark Borchardt (American Movie) and Dave Gebroe (Zombie Honeymoon), along with monster movie personalities like Herschell Gordon Lewis (Blood Feast), Joe Bob Briggs (cult film critic and author), and Sid Haig (Foxy Brown, The Devils Rejects). This timeless essay of popcorn-generation nostalgia and behind-the-scenes moments just may prove "movie making really is no way to spend a life!"
    DirectorChristopher P. GaretanoStarsRay AdellMark BorchardtRon Atkins
  • Hanging Shadows (2007)

    14. Hanging Shadows

    20071hNot RatedVideo
    6.2 (23)
    Offers a critical appreciation of Italian horror cinema, pioneered by directors such as Dario Argento and Mario Bava, a genre that influenced filmmakers from Quentin Tarantino to Takashi Miike.
    DirectorPaolo FazziniStarsDario ArgentoLamberto BavaRuggero Deodato
  • Celluloid Horror (2004)

    15. Celluloid Horror

    20041h 28m
    7.1 (54)
    Celluloid Horror explores Kier-La Janisse's tireless crusade to bring obscure cult horror film to the masses through her independently run international film festival, CineMuerte, 'cinema of death', and the obsessive nature required to obtain your goals.
    DirectorAshley FesterStarsJörg ButtgereitMitch DavisFiona Forbes
  • Scream Greats, Volume I: Tom Savini (1986)

    16. Scream Greats, Volume I: Tom Savini

    19861hVideo
    7.6 (256)
    A documentary detailing the career of makeup artist Tom Savini, including clips from the various movies he's worked on.
    DirectorDamon SantostefanoStarsTom SaviniGeorge A. RomeroDoug Clayton
  • The Incredibly Strange Film Show (1988)

    17. The Incredibly Strange Film Show

    1988–198912 epsTV Series
    8.1 (166)
    This show is a series of documentaries focusing on the world of psychotronic movies. Episodes focus on the lives of such diverse filmakers as Hershell Gordon Lewis, Saim Raimi, Doris Wishman, Ed Wood Jr, and Tsui Hark. Weird movie genres, like Mexican wrestling movies and Hong Kong horror films, are also examined.
    StarsJonathan RossRic MeyersJohnny Legend
  • Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010)

    18. Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

    20103h 59mNot RatedVideo
    8.5 (5.4K)
    Explore the origins of "dream demon" Freddy Krueger in this award-winning documentary that takes you behind the scenes of the most frightening and imaginative horror franchise in motion picture history!
    DirectorsDaniel FarrandsAndrew KaschStarsHeather LangenkampStacey AldenErika Anderson
  • Shock Movie Massacre (2003)

    19. Shock Movie Massacre

    2003– 12 epsTV Series
    7.2 (54)
    "Shock Movie Massacre" was a 25 minute documentary series hosted by Emily Booth was the Presenter. The series ran for twelve (12) shows during 2003.
    StarsEmily BoothErin BrownEduardo Sánchez
  • His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2009)

    20. His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th

    20091h 30mNot RatedTV Movie
    6.9 (3.2K)
    A documentary exploring 30 years of the "Friday The 13th" film series featuring all new interviews with cast and crew from all 12 films and various horror fans and filmmakers.
    DirectorDaniel FarrandsStarsNatalie AdamsDiane AlmeidaErich Anderson
  • The Thing: Terror Takes Shape (1998)

    21. The Thing: Terror Takes Shape

    19981h 23mVideo
    7.7 (1K)
    A revealing and insightful look into the making of this underrated horror film.
    DirectorMichael MatessinoStarsJohn CarpenterDavid FosterBill Lancaster
  • Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006)

    22. Halloween: 25 Years of Terror

    20061h 23mNot RatedVideo
    7.4 (2K)
    A retrospective documentary about the Halloween films.
    DirectorStefan HutchinsonStarsP.J. SolesIrwin YablansMoustapha Akkad
  • Monster Squad Forever! (2007)

    23. Monster Squad Forever!

    20071h 27mVideo
    7.7 (116)
    This is a feature-length look into the creation of the 20 year old cult-classic, Monster Squad, including interviews with writer/director Fred Dekker, stars Tom Noonan, Duncan Regehr, Andre Gower and more.
    DirectorMichael FelsherStarsAndre GowerJonathan A. ZimbertDuncan Regehr
  • Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman (2007)

    24. Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman

    200748m
    7.8 (76)
    Famous Monster takes a fast-paced, colorful look at the life of science fiction's greatest fan - Forrest J. Ackerman, whose 85 year love affair with the genre helped bring it into the mainstream and shape the way we view science fiction today.
    DirectorMichael MacDonaldStarsForrest J. AckermanRay BradburyBobbie Bresee
  • Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2007)

    25. Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story

    20071h 22mNot Rated
    7.5 (712)
    Chronicles the last great American showman, filmmaker William Castle, a master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks.
    DirectorJeffrey SchwarzStarsForrest J. AckermanJohn BadhamDiane Baker

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