史蒂文•杰伊•施奈德（Steven Jay Schneider）是一位颇为内行的恐怖片鉴赏专家，其撰文著述、教学授课成果颇丰，涉及电影的方方面面，涵盖了审美学、心理分析，乃至血腥恐怖片的观赏乐趣。为编写本书，他从世界各地集结了50余位最优秀的撰稿人、评论家、影评人、教授、影迷和电影人。这个团队由最出色的影评撰稿阵容组成，其成员既有巴黎《世界报》旗下的Jean-Michel Frodon，也有东京《潜流》杂志旗下的藤原敏史，其他成员分别来自《帝国》《视与听》《滚石》《纽约时报》《完全电影》《国际电影指南》《洛杉矶周报》《电影季刊》《华盛顿邮报》，以及CineAction, NME, Time Out, Filmmaker, Moviemaker等媒体。

This special " Fifth Anniversary Edition " of the acclaimed film reference guide is packed with virtually everything movie lovers need to know about the films they simply must see. Stephen Jay Schneider and his team of writers have brought the book up to date by including the most memorable movies released during the past five years. Among their new additions are " The Queen, The Lives of Others, Brokeback Mountain, " and several more recent movies that have attracted worldwide attention. Covering more than a century of filmmaking and dating back to silent-era sensations such as Edwin S. Porteras " The Great Train Robbery " and Chaplinas " The Gold Rush, " this book describes musicals, dramas, screwball comedies, experimental aNew Wavea films from 1950s and a60s Italy and France, major films noir, classic westerns, action and adventure films, and even memorable documentaries. It lists each filmas director and cast, presents a plot summary and production notes, and cites interesting, often little-known facts relating to the filmas cast, storyline, and production. For students of cinema, discerning film buffs, DVD collectors, and readers who enjoy thumbing through and reminiscing over cherished screen moments, " 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die " is the place to start reading. Filled with 800 movie still shots and actorsa photos.