Tributes pour in after highly respected Film Studies academic passes away

Northumbria’s Professor Peter Hutchings, arguably the key figure in the study of horror cinema, has sadly passed away.

Professor Hutchings, who taught in the Department of Arts, was a hugely respected and well-liked colleague who had worked at the University for 27 years, specialising in British horror cinema. He recently published his latest book, Historical Dictionary of Horror Cinema (2nd edition, 2018), and he has new work set to be published in forthcoming publications due for release later this year.

Before joining Northumbria, Professor Hutchings studied for his PhD at the University of East Anglia, where he was supervised by Professor Charles Barr, the academic often credited for inventing ‘British film studies. Professor Hutchings was Barr's second PhD student and his PhD, awarded in the late 80s, was revised and published in 1993 as Hammer and Beyond: The British Horror Film, widely regarded as the first substantive study of British horror cinema.

Northumbria University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Francis, paid tribute to his colleague: “News of the untimely death of Professor Peter Hutchings is hard to accept. Not only was Peter an outstanding academic, internationally renowned for his research into various genres of film and TV, most notably horror, but he was also a very dear colleague and friend to many at Northumbria.

“Peter was a private man, but at Northumbria and in his contribution to his discipline, his reputation as an outstanding researcher, teacher, and mentor was enviable.

“Throughout a long and very successful career, Peter put the development of others first. He was always willing to respond first to requests for support, and did so with thoughtful words and sage advice that remained pertinent many months later.

“He always found time to support, coach and guide students and colleagues in order for them to be the best they could be. And as a leader, Peter delivered ambition, direction and reassurance to those around him. Not easy to do. 

“Peter’s passing is a tragic loss for the University, and for the academic community more generally. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Professor Hutchings’ colleague and friend, Russ Hunter said: “Peter was a key figure, perhaps the key figure, in making the study of horror cinema in the academy in Britain a legitimate thing. As a result, it is now a huge area of Film Studies as a discipline.

“His work, particularly on Hammer Horror films and his book Hammer and Beyond, showed how culturally relevant, interesting and valuable popular forms of film genres could be.

“Peter was also the co-editor of the key film studies book, used by everyone from A-level students to university researchers, The Film Studies Reader, which was published in 2000, co-edited with Mark Jancovich and Joanne Hollows. His 2004 book, The Horror Film, has been adopted as a key course text by anyone teaching horror.

“Peter’s renown and the esteem was such that he was cited in any new book published on horror cinema. He was also a regular keynote speaker at a variety of academic conferences, just last year at Fear 2000 at Sheffield Hallam, for instance, and he spoke several times at the Abertoir International Horror Film Festival, an event that was very close to his heart. He gave a talk on the actor Peter Cushing there a few years ago and spoke with such passion and knowledge that he got a standing ovation, which is unheard of at such events.

“More than any of this, Peter was such a supportive and thoughtful colleague that I cannot quite find the words to say too much more.”

Dr Johnny Walker, another colleague and friend of Professor Hutchings, added: “Peter’s book Hammer and Beyond effectively legitimised the study of the horror film in Britain, paving the way for other influential books such as, Leon Hunt's British Low Culture: From Safari Suits to Sexploitation, Steve Chibnall's Making Mischief: The Cult Films of Peter Walker, I. Q. Hunter's British Trash Cinema, and my own book on recent British horror films.

“Peter was the foremost expert on horror within the academy, with an unrivalled knowledge of the area. His influence and impact cannot be understated.”

Tributes from colleagues, former students and associates, have poured in for Professor Hutchings since the news of his death, with the organisers of the Abertoir International Horror Film Festival publishing a statement, which said he was ‘the only person in the whole history of the festival to reduce the audience to tears’. The organisers said Professor Hutchings was ‘kind, warm, funny and passionate’.