史蒂文•傑伊•施奈德（Steven Jay Schneider）是一位頗為內行的恐怖片鑒賞專傢，其撰文著述、教學授課成果頗豐，涉及電影的方方麵麵，涵蓋瞭審美學、心理分析，乃至血腥恐怖片的觀賞樂趣。為編寫本書，他從世界各地集結瞭50餘位最優秀的撰稿人、評論傢、影評人、教授、影迷和電影人。這個團隊由最齣色的影評撰稿陣容組成，其成員既有巴黎《世界報》旗下的Jean-Michel Frodon，也有東京《潛流》雜誌旗下的藤原敏史，其他成員分彆來自《帝國》《視與聽》《滾石》《紐約時報》《完全電影》《國際電影指南》《洛杉磯周報》《電影季刊》《華盛頓郵報》，以及CineAction, NME, Time Out, Filmmaker, Moviemaker等媒體。

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.