Cinema: The Whole Story, ed. Philip Kemp (Thames & Hudson, 2011) 576pp., flexibound, £19.95, ISBN 978 0 500 289471

Sir Christopher Frayling describes film as the art form of the twentieth century.  This is a quite exceptional comprehensive study of the history of the cinema from the earliest days to the multiplexes and technology of today.  Every genre of cinema is covered with in-depth text by an international team of two dozen experts led by Philip Kemp, a noted free-lance film historian described as revered (!) by the publisher.  The book is divided into six chapters chronologically.  Key works are analysed in detail including camera and lighting, acting styles, animation, and social and cultural impact.

There are over 1,100 illustrations, many in full colour, a glossary and very full index, assimilable time lines and a list of the sources of illustrations.  Classic films are highlighted from early masterpieces such as The Birth of a Nation to post-war films of special significance such as Some Like It Hot and recent blockbusters like Toy Story.

This volume is another remarkable achievement in value for money by Thames & Hudson which makes no concession to any lack of scholarship.