By Doug Macaskill

HISTORY OF HORROR

Over the past century, horror films have evolved dramatically to become what they are today.

As technology improved, so did the quality of Horror films, giving us higher quality gory scenes with realistic blood and scarier killers.

This PowerPoint will give a slight history of how Horror has evolved over the past century.

FIRST HORROR FILM

The first Horror film was a French film, created by George Melies, titled ‘Le Manoir Du Diable’ (translating to The Devils Castle). At

this point in time, all films were shot in black and white and had no sound at all.

1990These films, yet overly simple, set the basis of what horror films

should be like and what they should contain.

Later on, most films created in this period of time got recreated with newer technology to keep old favourites new.

1910All films created up in this period of time are based on classic

novels, such as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

At this point in time, supernatural horror was the main thing around, so if you wanted your film to make money, you would need a

supernatural monster to make a cameo appearance in your movie.

1920Film producers started to drive away from the supernatural side of

horrors at this point and started focusing more on the psychopathical side of films. This gave more room for creative back stories giving the audience an explanation to why a mad scientist is

kidnapping people.

19301930s was a big moment in film for every genre as we finally

developed sound to accompany our creepy films. The first horror to actually accomplish having both sound and vision was the ever famous ‘Dracula’, leaning back into the supernatural aspect of

horror but adding more of a gothic nature.

We also developed colour to films, giving horror movies a new edge to them.

1940Horror in the 1940’s mainly consisted of sequels (mainly for “the

Mummy” movie), spinoffs and remakes (of the first Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde film). It also featured the first crossover movie titled

“Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man”

1950In the 1950’s, horror started focusing on creatures as well as

leaning towards the sci fi genre a bit. One of the most famous films from this decade is “Creature from the Black Lagoon” and it is still

regarded as a good horror to this day.

1960Psychopathical horrors became popular once again in the 1960’s, also bringing zombie films with them. However at this point in time,

the horrors of the 1960’s seemed to become a bit more sexually aware, bringing out classic films such as “Psycho” and “Rosemary’s

Baby”.

1970At the start of the 70’s, most horror films were still on the

supernatural/gothic side. However leaning towards the end of the decade, horror films evolved once again and started producing

slasher films such as the famous “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and “Halloween”.

1980In the 1980’s, film producers starting focusing on special effects in their movies. A good example of this is the film ‘Poltergeist’ which

featured the actors falling into their TV’s and was awarded the BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects.

Other notable films include The Shining and Gremlins.

1990The 1990’s inspired film makers to add story to the film, rather than

focusing on scaring people. This was the time of serial killer horrors.

Good examples of these are Se7ven and Silence of the Lambs.

2000At this point in time, Horrors started to link with other genres to

make hybrid genres such horror comedy, sci fi horror and horromantic.

Some famous films that fall into these hybrids are Zombie Land, Shaun of the Dead and 28 Days Later.

THE FUTURE OF HORRORSThe list of possible ideas for horrors could go on forever. With new technology coming out we could make horrors scarier than they’ve

ever been, maybe even go 4D with them. The possibilities are endless. Even recreating much loved classics with better special

effects, such as The Woman in Black and Evil Dead.