The History of Horror

Horror is a genre with recognisable patterns that happen again and again in which cycles occur with a constant remix of sub-genres, remaking old firms and the increase in filming technology. Down below is an overview of The History of Horror.

Gothic Horror - In the late 1700's literature got the horror genre started. Developed by writers both within England and America. The term 'Gothic' came from the midevel buildings that the story took place, these locations which are presently conventional consist of dungeons, old castle, gloomy forests and secret passage ways. The famous writers of the Gothic horror genre consisted of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and Edgar Allen Poe.

Horror in the Silent Era - It was from gothic literature where horror films took inspiration, it was popular both in books and theatres at the time. Until 1930's where films could actually be made there were snippets such as 'Spook Tale' by Lumiere Brothers in 1895. In 1896 the first horror film was made 'The Manor
of the Devil' by Dr.Georges Melies. Elements of gothic horror were evident.


German Expressionism - Heart of horror in film was after the First World War. A style of cinema that emphasised expression on real depictions of the real world. Germans created their style in their cultural bubble from World War 1, grew quickly and creatively and convinced the germane army to take the filming nationally which created the Universum Film Aktiengesellshaft, German lost so they turned filming into commercial profit instead. 1920, The Cabinet of Dr.Caligari. Electricity was still scarce, and the UFO nearly used up all the quota so shadows were painted instead of done with technology. Established German expressionism. They continued this creative expression with films such as Nosferatu. Dawes Plan was offered to Germany to get the economy back into control however many film industries had to get shut down in 1925. Good opportunity for Hollywood as Paramount and MGM lent 4 million to UFO in exchange for calabrol rights to UFA studios, threates and personal. In 1926 it was then called the Parufamet Distribution Company, this agreement moved german expressionism into Hollywood. Artists traveled to the US to work in filming.

Horror learns to scream
Sound had a huge impact on horror, artistic leap. In the 1930's Universal pictures was the start of the cycle . The little three were Universal pictures, Columbia and United Artists. Universal hothic Horror cycle, there first hit was Dracula in 1931. It then continied with Franeknsten, the mummy and The Invisible Man. It lost steam as the titles were reoccuring. By 1948, when Abbott & Costello meet frankenstein Universal retired with monsters in horror. Val Lewton was put in charge for a low-budget divison to produce horrors, and RKO created the title and he made the story. 'Cat People' was the film. By using shadows and lighting instead of makeup and monsters it was a glimpse at the more phsyogolicial aspect of horrors.

Mutated Monster Mash 
War - 1950's was a difficult time. Pulp Science Fiction Horror Cycle. Different creatures were created for example the film Godzilla.

Psychology, Sex & Gore 
1960's Psycho that shocked the audience into believing horror could be more. Added realistic approach. Hammer Gothic Horror Cycle - adding sex & gore. In full colour. 'The curse of Frankensetin in 1957. (blood, chill colouring). Hammer Horror (7 Frankenstein films, 6 dracula films and 9 Vampire films, 2 Jeklyll and Hydes and 3 mummy films) 'Rocky Horror picture show' another hammer horror style. 'Blood and Babes' Edgar Allen Poe cycle - many important sub-genres that would occur in future decades. Occult Horror Cycle 'The exorcist, The Omen" Late 1970's

Jaws - 1975 created the Shark Horror Cycle adding elements of B Horror with creatures.

'Carrie' - Set the stage for Teen horror cycle (1976)

1979 - 'Alien', remix horrro and science fiction and the remake of 'The thing'

1980's - The Shining (1980) Most must watch for students of horror.

Independent Horror And the Slasher -Low-budget world

Technology increase, the rise of independant film makers meant the rise of different forms of horror.
'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' rawness of teens inspired more teen horrors/slasher.

1978 - 'Halloween' by John Carpenter most succesful independant horror film ever made. Horror inside everyday subarea

'The evil dead' by Dr Sam Raima - home video tape market

The 90's and modern horror
The slasher horror had ran its course and was made as parody. Teen Horror cycle rebooted by 'Scream' led to 'I know what you did last summer'
Psychological horror stayed popular such as 'The ring'

Unique to modern era 'Torture porn' empahsises intense gore which includes the film 'Saw' by Dr James Wan (2004) and 'Hostel' (2005)

Found footage horror - The Blair Witch project ( Piecing together hand held footage)
Paranormal activity (2007)


Zombie cycle - Presently horror films are surrounded by the modern zombie. Started with '28 days later' danny boyle 2002. Films such as 'The walking dead' and 'World War Z' were created.