The history of special effects is a long and varied one, incorporating so much more than shots of sleek starships or computer- generated raptors. From the concealed wires on Douglas Fairbanks' flying carpet in The Thief of Baghdad to the seemingly impossibly complex scenes in Lord of the Rings and King Kong, the special effects industry has continued to find new ways to fuel our imaginations and ensure our entertainment.

This book is not only a beautifully illustrated history of the special effects industry, looking at all the different types of audio and visual effects; it also contains detailed technical explanations of how the effects are created, accompanied by specially created illustrations.

Packed with over 500 colour illustrations taken from great movies and the personal portfolios of leading special effects experts, many of whom have been interviewed for and are profiled in the book, Special Effects is a treat for any movie fan. It will also be an essential tool for anyone looking to build a career in this area of the film industry.