The document discusses the history and evolution of horror films, providing examples of some classic horror movies from the early 20th century like Dracula and Frankenstein, as well as more modern films. It also analyzes how the example films fit various horror conventions like Gothic, supernatural, and comedy-horror styles. The earliest horror films tended to be Gothic in style and produced by German filmmakers, though the genre has since diversified in tone and approach.

1. Horror
By Rahel Fasil

2. Horror Establishment
• Disturbing films designed to frighten audience
• Many of the first horror films were created by
German film makers in 1910-1920s

3. Horror Changes
• Horror movies have changed a lot over time.
• In the early 20th century horror films were
completely gory and violent.
• Now horror films still have the scary features
but they are funny as well.

4. Horror examples

5. Dracula
• Director: Tod Browning
• Distribution Company: Universal Pictures
• Released: 1931
• Plot: Solicitor travels to Count Dracula’s castle
to give legal advice for an estate transaction.
The solicitor’s employee is watching. After
being charmed by Dracula, he realises he is a
prisoner in the castle.

6. Frankenstein
• Director: James Whale
• Distribution Company: Universal Pictures
• Released: 1931
• Plot: Scientist Henry Frankenstein and
assistant Fritz put together a human body.
Frankenstein’s desire is to produce human life
through electrical machinery which he has
perfected.

7. When a stranger calls
• Director: Simon West
• Distribution Company: Screen Gems
• Released: 2006
• Plot: A teenage babysitter receives more and
more threatening phone calls from a serial
killer who she first thinks is just a prank caller.

8. Case 39
• Director: Christian Alvart
• Distribution Company: Paramount Pictures
• Released: 2010
• Plot: A social worker has to investigate the
family of a 10 year old. She then suggests the
child should be put into foster care. Until she
finds a suitable place, the social worker offers
to look after her. This has scary consequences.

9. Scary Movie
• Director: Keenan Ivory Wayans
• Distribution Company: Dimension Films
• Released: 2000
• Plot: Following a group of teenagers
accidently hit an old man with their car and
they dumped his body in a lake. After a year, a
person with the same mask kills them one by
one.

10. Friday the 13th
• Director: Sean S Cunningham
• Distribution Company: Warner Bros
• Released: 1980
• Plot: While attempting to re-open an
abandoned campsite, a group of teenagers are
killed one by one.

11. How do the films fit in with the
conventions?
• Dracula - the character is very frightening and calculated
which meets the conventions of horror genre.
• Frankenstein – an evil main character and a handy side kick.
• When a stranger calls – viewer is in suspense because they
don’t know the stranger’s identity.
• Case 39 – the viewer is given the wrong impression of the
girl at first but then they see a terrifying twist in her nature
and what she is capable of.
• Scary movie – the group do something that the viewers
know will have major consequences which makes the
viewers frightened about what happens next.
• Friday the 13th – expected setting – dark abandone place.

12. Gothic
Horror
sub
genres
Comedy Horror

13. Comedy-horror
• Comedy-horror is a horror sub genre
containing elements of both horror and
comedy.
• Comedy-horror films provide the audience
with chances feel frightened and also to laugh
at their fears.

14. Science Fiction
• Science fiction is a horror sub genre that deals
with imaginary content such as futuristic
settings, science and technology. Also, space
travel.
Horror
The earliest horror films were gothic in style.
Usually set in spooky mansions, castles etc
Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari, made in 1919.
One of the first gothic horror films.

15. Gothic
• The earliest horror films were gothic in style.
• Usually set in spooky mansions, castles etc
• Das Kabinett des Doktor Caligari, made in
1919. One of the first gothic horror films.
Supernatural
Supernatural is a horror sub genre which
usually contains gods/godesses, spirits and
miracles.

16. DRACULA
Still shots DRACULA
Dark setting
vulnerable and the
woman(victim) character
is unaware of has an evil
the scary male expression
villain.
FRANKENSTEIN
FRANKENSTEIN
Character stares at
Dark background. the separated body
The character looks part(hand) – typical
inhuman – skeleton gory image.
figure, unnatural
face

17. WHEN A STRANGER WHEN A STRANGER
CALLS CALLS
Extreme close up
Audience is of the curtains.
left in They aren't fully
suspense, drawn suggesting
caller’s somebody's
identity is looking on
unknown
CASE 39
CASE 39
Violence and
aggression Close up of
innocent child