Collections Search | BFI | British Film Institute

Fight Club (Original title)
Date: 1999 (Copyright)

Countries: USA, Germany

Director: David Fincher

Production company billing: ©Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Monarchy Enterprises B.V./Regency Entertainment (USA) Inc Fox 2000 Pictures and Regency Enterprises present a Linson Films production a David Fincher film In association with Taurus Film Dolby Colour by Technicolor Filmed with Panavision cameras and lenses MC: Super 35 [2.35:1] MC: Dolby digital surround EX/DTS/SDDS
Synopsis: Drama. A young man, the narrator of the story as well as one of the main protagonists, is first seen attempting to kill himself. The story then moves back six months to the period during which, as a possible cure for incessant insomnia, the narrator's doctor forces him to attend regular group sessions of cancer victims in order to put his own problems into perspective. He becomes obsessed with attending more sessions and meets a woman, Marla, with whom he strikes up a friendship. At the same time the narrator makes the acquaintance of Tyler Durden, who makes soap for a living. After an evening spent at a bar, and an ensuing fight which bonds the friendship between the two men, the fight becomes a regular occurrence and escalates into an event that attracts ever-growing interest from others, who are sworn to secrecy.

Genre:
Drama
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (73)
In: Empire n235 January 2009  Pages: 163-168
Title: In conversation with David FincherAuthor: PIERCE, Nev Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Filmmaker David Fincher discusses his career, the making of his film and working with Brad Pitt. Plus a 'Top 5 David Fincher Moments' from five of his films.

In: Sight and Sound v18 n3 March 2008  Pages: 16-19,21-22
Title: Boy's own storiesAuthor: MILLER, Henry K. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Examines 'Indiewood' or the 'Frat pack' films being created by a generation of American comedians and directors. Include s the influence of the Sundance Film Festival, its history, thematic concerns and key films and filmmakers.

In: Literature/Film Quarterly v36 n3 2008  Pages: 171-187
Title: "A Hero Will Rise": The Myth of the Fascist Man in Fight...Author: BARKER, Jennifer Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Club and Gladiator".

In: Journal of Popular Film & Television v35 n4 Winter 2008  Pages: 146-153
Title: The Feminine "Nature" of Masculine Desire in the Age of...Author: HAMMING, Jeanne Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Cinematic Techno-Transcendence". Focuses on 12 MONKEYS, DARK CITY, FIGHT CLUB and The MATRIX.

In: Empire n228 June 2008  Pages: 168-169
Title: The top 10 best-dressed charactersAuthor: O'HARA, HelenArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A listing and brief critique of the ten best-dressed characters in film

In: Empire n214 April 2007  Page: 154
Title: At Home/DVD Reissue: Fight Club: Definitive EditionAuthor: BROWN, Kat Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Sight and Sound v17 n11 November 2007  Page: 11
Title: Rushes: Fistful of five: Unreliable narrativesArticle type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A selection of five films where the narrators are unreliable : JANGHWA, HONGRYUN, The USUAL SUSPECTS, FIGHT CLUB, LOLA MONTÈS and Das CABINET DES DR. CALIGARI.

In: Film Studies n8 Summer 2006  Pages: 68-80
Title: Ways of Being Close to CharactersAuthor: EDER, Jens Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Using David Fincher's FIGHT CLUB as a case study, shows five different ways of 'being close' to a protagonist, drawing on the research from such fields as para-proxemics and para-soc ial interaction.

In: Empire n201 March 2006  Pages: 77-88,90-101
Title: 201 Greatest movies of all timeArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A listing of the top two hundred and one films as chosen by the reader's of Empire magazine. With comments by actors and filmmaker's.

In: Film Quarterly v60 n1 Autumn 2006  Pages: 16-27
Title: Out of the Past, Into the Supermarket Consuming Film NoirAuthor: DUSSERE, Erik Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the relationship between film noir and the American cons- umer culture, portraying the underside of the American dream Looking at three films which feature the supermarket: DOUBLE INDEMNITY, The LONG GOODBYE and FIGHT CLUB.

In: Journal of Film and Video v58 n4 Winter 2006  Pages: 16-28
Title: Cloaked Classification: The Misdirection Film and Generic...Author: FRIEDMAN, Seth A. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Duplicity". Discusses the "misdirection" film as a disctint type rather than as a member of its original genre. Examines MAGNOLIA, The USUAL SUSPECTS, The SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE, CITIZEN KANE, FIGHT CLUB and PULP FICTION.

In: Empire n200 February 2006  Pages: 140-141
Title: The soundtrack of our livesArticle type: AdvertisementLanguage: English
Description: To celebrate its 200th issue Empire select their favourite songs from film soundtracks covering the period of its 200 issues.

In: Empire n198 December 2005  Pages: 143-146,149-151
Title: Decade Deathmatch: The 90sArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Results of an online debate to decide which decade is the best for films. Includes a timeline of events from the 90's and a range of subjects from technology, award winners and top ten films.

In: New review of film and television studies v3 n2 November 2005  Pages: 133-159
Title: Fight Clubs, American Psychos and Mementos: The scope of...Author: FERENZ, Volker Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Title ends: '...unreliable narration in film'. Drawing on previous contributions, examines the meaning of the concept of unreliable narration in films as diverse as Fritz Lang's YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, BARRY LYNDON, The CASTLE, and FIGHT CLUB

In: Cinema Journal v43 n2 Winter 2004  Pages: 47-66
Title: Punk cinemaAuthor: THOMPSON, Stacy Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Reimagines the concept of "punk cinema", denoting an identi- fiable aesthetic, bolstered by a correlative economics. FIGHT CLUB is discussed as a film that features neither punks nor punk rock but espouses an anticommercial ideology.

In: CineAction! n65 2004  Pages: 44-53
Title: Tedium and Torture: Fight Club, Globalization and...Author: McCULLOUGH, John Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Professionals in Crisis". On FIGHT CLUB as anti- capitalist cultural artifact.

In: Empire n183 September 2004  Pages: 170-171
Title: Remote control: RWD: masterpieceAuthor: RICHARDS, Olly Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: DVD review and analysis of FIGHT CLUB.

In: Cinema Scope n14 Spring 2003  Page: 50
Title: Spotlight: Essential DVDsAuthor: HARKNESS, John Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Brief details of critics' choice of essential DVDs.

In: Film Criticism v28 n1 Autumn 2003  Pages: 1-23
Title: One-dimensional men: Fight Club and the poetics of the bodyAuthor: GRONSTAD, Asbjorn Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: An examination in FIGHT CLUB of its traditional theme of masculine identity threatened by the feminisation of US culture, but coupled with the new visual articulation of the 'blank fiction' style of writers like Jay McInerey.

In: Post Script v22 n3 Summer 2003  Pages: 8-20
Title: Singling Out The Double: Objectivity, Subjectivity And...Author: NAGLER, Lihi Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Alterity in Kieslowski's 'The Double Life of Véronique'" As well as 'Double vie de Véronique', the author also cites films such as 'Solaris', 'Der Student von Prag' and 'The Fight Club' to discuss the doppelgänger in film.

In: Film Ireland n94 Sep/Oct 2003  Pages: 20-22
Title: Sidewalk SunbatherAuthor: WALSH, Alan Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Traces Guy Debord's interaction with cinema, looking briefly at FIGHT CLUB.

In: CineAction! n58 June 2002  Pages: 11-31
Title: Time and point of view in contemporary cinemaAuthor: TRIFONOVA, Temenuga Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: An essay on the relationship between the real events(visual) and the narrative (story) aspect of the film (the point of view from which the story is told - often in flashback) as represented in recent films dealing with (self-) deception.

In: Sight and Sound v11 n1 January 2001  Page: 62
Title: Home moviesAuthor: LEIGH, Danny Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Creative Screenwriting v8 n2 Mar/Apr 2001  Pages: 57-60
Title: The man who wasn't there: narrative ambiguity in 3 recent...Author: NAYMAN, Ira Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A consideration of narrative ambiguity in three popular Hollywood films: The USUAL SUSPECTS, The SIXTH SENSE and FIGHT CLUB.

In: Third Text n53 Winter 2000/01  Pages: 31-41
Title: Brutalised bodies and emasculated politics: Fight Club,...Author: GIROUX, Hnery A. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article title ends "...consumerism, and masculine violence".

In: Sight and Sound v10 n1 January 2000  Page: 68
Title: Additions and correctionsArticle type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Additional filmographic information on The FIGHT CLUB: certificate 18, length 138 minutes 56 seconds.

In: Empire n132 June 2000  Page: 128
Title: Video to rentAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: Video ReviewLanguage: English

In: American Cinematographer v81 n9 September 2000  Page: 22,24
Title: DVD playbackAuthor: PIZZELLO, Chris Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Sight and Sound v10 n11 November 2000  Page: 69
Title: Video reviews: retailAuthor: MACNAB, Geoffrey Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: A note of the release in the UK on video of FIGHT CLUB.

In: Sight and Sound v10 n5 May 2000  Page: 64
Title: Video reviews: rentalAuthor: LEIGH, Danny Article type: Video ReviewLanguage: English

In: Music from the Movies n26 Spring 2000  Page: 30
Title: Film music review: new filmsAuthor: DUFF, Simon Article type: Soundtrack ReviewLanguage: English

In: Cinefex n80 January 2000  Pages: 114-131
Title: A world of hurtAuthor: MARTIN, Kevin H. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the use of effects to visualise the narrator's view of the world in FIGHT CLUB.

In: StarBurst vSpec n46 Yearbook 2000  Pages: 6-10,12-16
Title: Top films 2000Author: CARTMEL, Andrew Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Brief reviews of the editor's choice of films of 2000.

In: Cinéaste v25 n4 October 2000  Pages: 46-48
Title: Home Video - Getting exercised over FIGHT CLUBAuthor: CROWDUS, Gary Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of the film on its video release.

In: Film Review vSpec. n33 Preview 2000-01  Page: 83
Title: Fight clubArticle type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Film Review n600 December 2000  Page: 80
Title: Fight clubAuthor: RICHARDSON, David Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n138 Decmber 2000  Page: 142
Title: Remote control: DVDAuthor: NEWMAN, Kim Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Cineforum n389 November 1999  Pages: 39-40
Title: [Cineforum - n389 November 1999: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: Italian

In: Sight and Sound v9 n12 December 1999  Pages: 45-46
Title: ReviewsAuthor: WHITEHOUSE, Charles Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Film Comment v35 n5 Sep/Oct 1999  Pages: 58-62,65,67-68
Title: Inside outAuthor: SMITH, Gavin Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with David Fincher on FIGHT CLUB. Review of the film (pp.58-60).

In: American Cinematographer v80 n11 November 1999  Pages: 42-53
Title: Anarchy in the U.S.A.Author: PROBST, Christopher Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Director David Fincher and cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth discuss the style and technical details of their collaboration on FIGHT CLUB.

In: Skrien n238 November 1999  Pages: 16-17
Title: Genieten van geweldAuthor: OOSTEROM, Chris Article type: ReviewLanguage: Dutch

In: Empire n116 February 1999  Page: 113
Title: Preview of the year 1999Author: WESTBROOK, Caroline Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Brief description as part of a preview of films of 1999.

In: Télérama n2600 10 Nov 1999  Page: 57
Title: Fight ClubAuthor: GORIN, François Article type: ReviewLanguage: French

In: Cine & Media n5 1999  Pages: 16-18
Title: IN THE MAINSTREAM: Psychological thrillers on the screenAuthor: various Article type: ArticleLanguage: French
Description: Reviews of The SIXTH SENSE, FIGHT CLUB and ANALYZE THIS in the context of psychological thrillers.

In: Entertainment Weekly n508 22 Oct 1999  Pages: 58-60
Title: Dead batteryAuthor: SCHWARZBAUM, Lisa Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n119 May 1999  Page: 46
Title: Future filmsArticle type: Prod. DetailsLanguage: English

In: Fade In v5 n2 1999  Page: 15
Title: PrevueAuthor: ROBERTS, Andrew Article type: PreviewLanguage: English

In: Interview November 1999  Pages: 118-121
Title: Fighting talkAuthor: FULLER, Graham Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Edward Norton talks about David Fischer's FIGHT CLUB.

In: Film-Echo/Filmwoche n42 23 Oct 1999  Page: 28
Title: Fight clubAuthor: FUCHS, Andreas Article type: ReviewLanguage: German

In: Total Film n31 August 1999  Page: 16
Title: TrailersAuthor: JOLIN, Dan Article type: PreviewLanguage: English

In: Entertainment Weekly n507 15 Oct 1999  Pages: 24-28, 31
Title: Blood, sweat & fearsAuthor: SVETKEY, Benjamin Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Feature article on FIGHT CLUB.

In: Screen International n1227 24 Sep 1999  Page: 20
Title: Fight ClubAuthor: MARSHALL, Lee Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n126 December 1999  Pages: 16-17
Title: New filmsAuthor: SMITH, Adam Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n121 July 1999  Page: 104
Title: "Unmissable!"Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On why FIGHT CLUB is 'unmissable'.

In: Premiere n271 October 1999  Pages: 94-101
Title: Dans ta gueule!Author: SCHNELLER, Johanna Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: David Fincher, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton talk about FIGHT CLUB.

In: Film Review December 1999  Page: 25
Title: Fight clubAuthor: EDWARDS, Stewart Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n126 December 1999  Pages: 100-106
Title: Menace II societyAuthor: WISE, Damon Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with David Fincher who talks about the making of FIGHT CLUB.

In: Empire n126 December 1999  Page: 162
Title: SoundtracksAuthor: JEFFRIES, Neil Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Soundtrack review for FIGHT CLUB.

In: Premiere v12 n12 August 1999  Pages: 68-73, 100
Title: Brad Pitt & Edward NortonAuthor: SCHNELLER, Johanna Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton on THE FIGHT CLUB

In: Creative Screenwriting v6 n4 Jul/Aug 1999  Pages: 4-5
Title: Script comments: Fight ClubAuthor: DIVINE, Christian Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A comparison of two drafts of the screenplay by Jim Uhls' for FIGHT CLUB. First draft dated 2nd October 1996. Second draft dated 12th January 1998.

In: Premiere n272 November 1999  Page: 50
Title: Fight clubAuthor: KATELAN, Jean-Yves Article type: ReviewLanguage: French

In: Screen International n1235 19 Nov 1999  Page: 12
Title: TF! strikes SevenArticle type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: On French broadcaster cancelling a planned screening of SE7EN after controversy over David Fincher's latest film FIGHT CLUB.

In: Screen International n1235 19 Nov 1999  Page: 13
Title: Fox's fighting talkArticle type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: On the marketing campaign in Spain for FIGHT CLUB.

In: Variety 13 Sep 1999  Page: 47
Title: FILM REVIEWSAuthor: ROONEY, David Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Sight and Sound v9 n11 November 1999  Pages: 16-18
Title: So good it hurtsAuthor: TAUBIN, Amy Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: A review and analysis of David Fincher's FIGHT CLUB is followed by an interview with the director who talks about making the movie.

In: Film-Echo/Filmwoche n44 6 Nov 1999  Page: 51
Title: Fight ClubAuthor: DOCKHORN, Katharina Article type: ReviewLanguage: German

In: Film Review July 1999  Page: 38
Title: Fight clubAuthor: CALCUTT, Ian Article type: PreviewLanguage: English

In: Screen International n1231 22 Oct 1999  Page: 21
Title: Fight Club opens topAuthor: GOODRIDGE, Mike Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the opening of FIGHT CLUB. Includes a list of Brad Pitt top ten wide openings.

In: Screen International n1234 12 Nov 1999  Page: 2
Title: Fight Club takes BBFC blowAuthor: MINNS, Adam Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On FIGHT CLUB being the second major US studio title to require cuts to qualify for an 18 certificate.

In: Empire n125 November 1999  Page: 53
Title: Reel news: cruising for a bruisingAuthor: WISE, Damon Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the reception of David Fincher's FIGHT CLUB at the 56th Venice Film Festival.

In: The Hollywood Reporter v353 n7 23 Jun 1998  Page: 23
Title: Films in productionArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Premiere n260 November 1998  Pages: 120-122
Title: Petite mis aux poings entre Brad Pitt et David FincherAuthor: MIKANOWSKI, David Article type: ArticleLanguage: French
Description: On FIGHT CLUB.


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (26)
Title: Marxist film theory and Fight Club
Author: Kornbluh, Anna  Pages: vi, 187 pages

Title: Making sense of mind-game films: narrative complexity, embodiment, and the senses
Author: Littschwager, Simin Nina  Pages: viii, 241 pages

Title: Cinematic nihilism: encounters, confrontations. overcomings
Author: MARMYSZ, John A. [article]  Pages: viii, 213 pages

Title: Cinema of simulation: hyperreal Hollywood in the long 1990s
Author: Laist, Randy  Pages: 257 pages

Title: Cinema, pain and pleasure: consent and the controlled body
Author: Allen, Steven   Pages: x, 233 pages

Title: Studying Fight Club
Author: RAMEY, Mark  Pages: 114 pages

Title: Fight Club
Author: WARTENBERG, Thomas E  Pages: xii, 170 pages

Title: From film adaptation to post-celluloid adaptation: rethinking the transition of popular narratives and characters across old and new media
Author: CONSTANDINIDES, Costas  Pages: 166 p.

Title: Neo-noir
Author: BOULD, Mark  Pages: x, 267 p.

Title: Manhood in Hollywood from Bush to Bush
Author: GREVEN, David  Pages: x, 297 p.

Title: Genre, gender, race, and world cinema
Author: CODELL, Julie F.  Pages: ix, 474 p.

Title: Rebels on the backlot: six maverick directors and how they conquered the Hollywood studio system
Author: WAXMAN, Sharon  Pages: xxi, 386 p.

Title: Dames in the driver's seat
Author: WAGER, Jans B.  Pages: ix, 190 p.

Title: Teaching men and film
Author: HALL, Matthew  Pages: 88 p.

Title: Faith in film: religious themes in contemporary cinema
Author: DEACY, Christopher  Pages: ix, 170 p.

Title: Dogville vs Hollywood
Author: HORSLEY, Jake  Pages: 379 p.

Title: Film as philosophy: essays on cinema after Wittgenstein and Cavell
Author: READ, Rupert  Pages: ix, 219 p.

Title: New Hollywood violence
Author: SCHNEIDER, Steven Jay  Pages: xvi, 331 p.

Title: Dark horizons: science fiction and the dystopian imagination
Author: BACCOLINI, Raffaella  Pages: xi, 264 p.

Title: Breaking in to the movies: film and the culture of politics
Author: GIROUX, Henry A  Pages: x, 297 p.

Title: Digital domain: the leading edge of visual effects
Author: BIZONY, Piers  Pages: 250 p.

Title: Fight Club: the original screenplay
Author: UHLS, Jim  Pages: 95 p.

Title: Fight club
Author: UHLS, Jim  Pages: 95 p.

Title: Transfigurations: violence, death and masculinity in American cinema
Author: GRØNSTAD, Asbjørn  Pages: 274 p.

Title: You do not talk about Fight Club: I'm Jack's completely unauthorized essay collection
Author: SCHUCHARDT, Read Mercer  Pages: vi, 216 p.

Title: secret life of movies: schizophrenic and shamanic journeys in American cinema
Author: HORSLEY, Jason  Pages: viii, 291 p.