2. 19th Century Horror
The 19th century was a time of scientific advancement. This was reflected in
the horror of that time. Obviously this was not an era of which the moving
picture existed, therefore horror emerged amongst the gothic literature of
the time.
Books such as Frankenstein (1818) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr.
Hyde (1886) both drew inspiration from the scientific development of the
era.
Other books such as Dracula (1897), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) and
the works of Edgar Allen Poe and Sheridan Le Fanu are all early and
important pieces of horror literature.
Most horror at this time focused upon a male antagonist portraying an
exaggeration of the way a normal person may change from day to day.
3. The Horror of the Silent Era
In the very late 1800’s spanning through into the early 1900’s the silent
movie emerged.
Plenty of horror movies where made in the silent era including Nosferatu
and the German Expressionist movie The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
Interestingly the aforementioned novel The strange case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr.
Hyde was adapted into a silent movie in the year 1920.
4. Monsters & Mad Scientists
(1930’s)
The 1930’s were the decade in which sound was first introduced into horror movies.
Increasing the fear that they could create.
There was an increase in the use of monsters in horror movies as well as scientists, who
were often shown as power hungry and insane.
The great depression occurred in the 1930’s which had an impact on horror movies. They
became more supernatural and therefore offered the viewer a way to momentarily
escape the difficulties in their life.
Popular films from this era include – Frankenstein, Dracula, King Kong & The Mummy.
5. The Primal Animal Within (1940’s)
With horror banned in Britain, the USA began to take over horror. Hollywood began to
develop many horror movies with Universal backing them.
The biggest event of the 1940’s was the second world war which had a big effect on the
horror industry. Adolf Hitler often referred to the Nazis as wolves which lead to horror
movies including wolves since they were the predators lurking in the corners of public
consciousness.
Films include The Wolf Man (1941) and Cat People (1942)
6. Mutant Creatures & Alien
Invaders (1950’s)
In the late 40’s and the 50’s a fair amount of atomic bombs were tested and there were
advancing discoveries regarding space. Both of these happenings had a great influence
on the horror movies of the time.
Films like Godzilla (1954) involved mutants which draws influence from the testing of
atomic bombs and the way radiation can have grave effects.
Films like Flight to Mars (1951) were clearly inspired by the advancing discoveries about
space and took advantage of the public’s increasing fear of the unknown.
7. Ghosts, Zombies, Satanism & Your
Family (1960’s - 70’s)
Key events in the 60’s would be the proposal of the moon plan by JFK in (1961) and his
assassination in (1963) as well as the Civil Rights act of 1964, the Vietnam war and the moon
landing (1969).
Since a lot of these events involved violence they inspired a lot of horror films for example
The Night of The Living Dead (1968) is similar to the Vietnam war in terms of death on a large
scale. The moon landing may have some relevance to Satanism since it is out of this world,
inspiring films such as Rosemary’s Baby. Other films inspired by the violent events of the time
include Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963)
Dark events in the 70’s such as Ted Bundy beginning his killing spree in 1974 and the Manson
family had an effect on horror too. Horror movies began to be set in suburban areas more
often referring to how horror can even be found where you live with movies like Halloween
(1978) these also lead to the popular slasher subgenre within horror.
8. Hammer Horror
Hammer films was established in 1934. The company is best known for the gothic “hammer
horror” movies it produced between the 50’s and 70’s. Hammer dominated the horror genre
during its most successful years yet with the saturation of the genre in the 70’s Hammer
eventually failed to compete and filed for bankruptcy in the 80’s. In 2007 Hammer was
purchased and has since produced films such as Let Me In (2010) and The Woman in Black
(2012)
The most famous “hammer horror” movies include The Curse of Frankenstein (1958), Dracula
(1958), The Mummy (1959) and The Phantom of The Opera (1962).
9. Slasher Movies & Body Horror/Gore
(1980’s) & It’s Descent into Parody
(1990’s)
The slasher subgenre emerged in the 70’s with films like Halloween (1978) and continued
through the 80’s with films like Nightmare on Elm St. (1984) and Friday 13th (1980).
Slasher films are defined by their typical use of a psychopathic killer who will often stalk
teenagers and kill them until they are ultimately defeated in a way that leaves potential for a
sequel to be made.
Films like Scream (1996) began to make fun of the genre and its predictability.
10. Video Nasties (1980’s)
The Video Recordings Act made it illegal to supply/sell any movie that was unclassified or
unexamined by the BBFC. This lead to the birth of the video nasty.
Video nasties were graphically violent (helped by the advancements in technology) and
were often available under the counter of video stores. Films include: I Spit on Your Grave,
Zombie Flesh Eaters and The Last House on The Left.
11. Ironic Horror – Self –
Referential Horror (1990’s)
These horror movies are aware of themselves in that they involve parodies and are aware of
the codes and conventions they use that are stereotypically used in horror. This was
appropriate with the era since the public were also becoming more self aware. Teenagers
also featured more heavily in these movies since their rise in importance during the era.
Films include: Scream, The Blair Witch Project, The Ring and Scary Movie.
