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[Jonny]

Coming soon from Headpress...

Think you know British cinema? Think again.


While critics sing from an over familiar hymn sheet of so-called ‘cult films,’ there remains an epoch of British cinema still awaiting discovery that is every bit as provocative and deserving of attention. And there could be no finer guide to these uncharted domains than Julian Upton’s Offbeat. This is the book for the more intrepid cinema lover. A passionate, irreverent and informative exploration of British cinema’s secret history, from the buoyant leap in film production in the late fifties to the dying embers of popular domestic cinema in the early eighties.


So, move over Peeping Tom, Get Carter and The Wicker Man – it’s time to make way for The Mark, Unearthly Stranger, The Strange Affair, The Squeeze, Sitting Target, Quest for Love, The Black Panther and a host of forgotten gems.


Offbeat features in-depth reviews of more than 100 films, plus interviews and eye-opening essays that together tell the wider story of film in Britain, its neglected cinematic trends and its unsung heroes.


The last great British B-movies
Anti-swinging London films
Sexploitation — from Yellow Teddy Bears to Emmanuelle in Soho
The British rock’n’roll movie
CIA-funded cartoons
The Asylum in British cinema
The Children’s Film Foundation
The demise of the short as supporting feature
Val Guest, Sidney Hayers and the forgotten journeymen of British film
Swashbucklers, crime thrillers and other non-horror Hammers
And much more!




Contents...

Foreword by John Krish
Introduction: The Cinema of Low Expectations by Julian Upton
Boom: 1955–69 by Julian Upton
Baby Love: Underage Sex and Murder in British Films by David Kerekes
Swordplay: British Swashbuckler Films by James Oliver
Bust: 1969–85 by Julian Upton
Over the Cliff: British Rock and Roll Films by James Oliver
A Dangerous Madness: The Asylum in British Film by Jennifer Wallis
Seen But Not Heard Of: The Children’s Film Foundation by James Oliver
Wings of Death: The Demise of the Short as Supporting Feature by David Kerekes
Afterword: 1985 and Beyond by Julian Upton
Appendix
Bibliography
Notes on Contributors
Index
Plus film reviews by Darrell Buxton, Sam Dunn, Mark Goodall, Graeme Hobbs, David Hyman, Martin Jones, David Kerekes, Sarah Morgan, Kim Newman, James Oliver, Gary Ramsay, David Slater, David Sutton, Andrew Syers, Phil Tonge, Julian Upton, Jennifer Wallis

Order details at the Headpress website HERE

[Kevin Coed]

Seems like there's lots of interesting books in the pipeline.

[demented_uk]

Can't wait for this, love Headpress publications. Will be interesting to see how much has been written about Sidney Hayers.

[Jonny]

They've got an updated Killing for Culture out in November which I'm looking forward to.

[demented_uk]

They've got an updated Killing for Culture out in November which I'm looking forward to.

About time, David's been promising this for ages and my current copy is falling apart.

[gnorthcott]

This looks great 

[Ben Cobb]

A definitive purchase from me!

[Jonny]

This should be up for pre-order anytime soon. Can't seem to find any links on the Headpress site though.


Wouldn't mind bagging one of the Ltd Edition ones (there'll be 50 of them)

[Kevin Coed]

There was a page for it on their site but it's now a dead link.


http://www.headpress.com/ComingSoon.aspx

[Jonny]

There was a page for it on their site but it's now a dead link.


http://www.headpress.com/ComingSoon.aspx

Yeah, noticed that when I clicked on the link in the first post. Apparently the Ltd hardbacks are in from the printers so I'd keep an eye on the site in the next few days for the pre-order link

[darrell]

Received my gratis contributor's copy of 'Offbeat' yesterday and can promise you an excellent read. Beautifully designed, easy to read, perfect to dip into and loaded with reviews of cult British faves. I'm not certain when this is available for general sale (Amazon says March 2013) but I don't think many here will be disappointed when you do eventually get your hands on a copy.

[Kevin Coed]

The hardback edition is available to order now. Limited to 100 copies, heavy paper, head and tail bands, ribbon bookmark. Special price of £22.50 if ordered before midnight on December 21st.

[Jonny]

The hardback edition is available to order now. Limited to 100 copies, heavy paper, head and tail bands, ribbon bookmark. Special price of £22.50 if ordered before midnight on December 21st.

Ordered! 


http://www.headpress.com/ShowProduct.aspx?ID=121

[demented_uk]

I purchased a copy as soon as I got the mailer. Comes to £26.20 with postage.

[Inspector Tanzi]

Wouldn't mind bagging one of the Ltd Edition ones (there'll be 50 of them)

That's what I was hoping for. Wasn't there in the end though. Do you reckon that 50 become the 100 in the end?

I mailed Critch to see if he knows but in that time it's popped up that they are nearly gone so I didn't want to take the chance to wait and find out so I ordered one.