The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

George A. Romero, John Carpenter, Tom Savini, David Cronenberg, Wes Craven ... see more see more... , Tobe Hooper , John Landis , Carol J. Clover , Tom Gunning , Adam Lowenstein

In the late '60s, the tone of American horror films began to shift in the wake of the startling success of George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead -- horror films became gorier, bleaker, and began... read more read more... to subtly reflect the political and social upheaval gripping the country. Through the '70s and '80s, films like Last House on the Left, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Halloween held a distorted mirror up to American culture, reflecting its fear and chaos in the wake of Vietnam and Watergate. The American Nightmare is a documentary that looks at the transgressive horror films of the '60s and '70s and the people who made them. Directors Wes Craven, Tobe Hooper, and David Cronenberg, special effects man Tom Savini, and film critics Tom Gunning and Adam Lowenstein are among those interviewed by director Adam Simon. The American Nightmare was produced for the premium cable outlet The Independent Film Channel. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

73% liked it

2,500 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 13 min.

Directed by: Adam Simon

Release Date: February 9, 2001

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 30, 2004

Stats: 98 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (98)

  • Stinger839
    February 12, 2008
    Stinger839
    A good intro to select horror classics of the 70s. The best part of this documentary is that it is padded by interviews with the directors and film-makers. This group of film-makers examines the themes and subtext of their own and their peers' work, and how this greatly affected ... read morethe path horror film-making took afterwards. Also, you might find a gem you haven't gotten around to yet.
  • cacutshaw
    January 31, 2008
    cacutshaw
    An interesting doc that ties in the social events that lead to some of the greatest American horror films of the seventies. For those well versed in the horror genre, there is nothing that new here, but it s a very interesting watch.
  • jonnydaddy
    December 17, 2009
    jonnydaddy
    awesome insight into some the best horror films from the 70's. It was very interesting to me how they got there motivation and cause I have met a lot of these directors.
  • theSwitchbladeSister
    January 3, 2009
    theSwitchbladeSister
    An interesting look into the links between societal trends and fears and those represented on-screen. If you've heard these cats talk before then it's likely that you've heard some of their stories before, but there are some fresh insights that make this worth watching.
  • cleighs
    July 14, 2008
    cleighs
    Adam's story is so cute. I kind of know two of the people repeatedly interviewed! Very smart documentary
  • zeiko18
    January 2, 2007
    zeiko18
    Underwhelming and offering few insights, despire interviews with some impressive genre greats. Then again, anytime anyone gives Tom Savini a microphone, I'm pleased.

View All The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright Reviews

Critic Reviews

Brian Mckay
November 16, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

Although several segments will appeal to horror aficionados, it often feels like a political statement couched in a format that will appeal to the blood and popcorn crowd. Full Review

Rob Nelson
February 6, 2002
Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul

We've never had American horror as we did in the decade between Night of the Living Dead and Halloween (1978), no doubt because we've never had American history like that. Full Review

Eddie Cockrell
June 3, 2008
Eddie Cockrell, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

December 6, 2005
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

December 6, 2005
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

December 8, 2002
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

February 6, 2002
BBC

Click to read the article Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Jon Popick
February 6, 2002
Jon Popick, Planet Sick-Boy

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Night of the Living Dead
    Night of the Living Dead (50%)
  • The Last House on the Left
    The Last House on the Left (100%)
  • Shivers (They Came from Within) (The Parasite Murders)
    Shivers (They Came from Within) (The Parasite... (0%)
  • An American Werewolf in London
    An American Werewolf in London (60%)

More Movies like The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The American Nigh... : Watch Free on TV

The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The American Nightmare - A Celebration of Films from Hollywood's Golden Age of Fright to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?