More consistent than Coppola, more versatile than Scorsese and less of a self-publicist than Spielberg. His range covers comedies, horrors, musicals, gangsters, war-films, thrillers and now science fiction. He discovered Robert De Niro, made Sean Connery an Oscar-winner, and has created many memorable movie moments. A Brian De Palma film is an event.

To celebrate the release of De Palma's twenty-fifth feature, the long-awaited sci-fi epic Mission to Mars, we take you on a roller-coaster ride through the work of Hollywood's ignored genuis; from his roots in the underground of sixties counter-culture, to the very top of the Hollywood 'A-list'. It's a breath-taking journey.

As well as an introductory essay, this Pocket Essential reviews and analyses each of De Palma's films, including the classics Carrie, Scarface and The Untouchables, as well as hits like Dressed To Kill, Mission: Impossible and Snake Eyes.

Books by John Ashbrook