CINEFAN
The Internet movie database to download and use offline on 
your PC, Mac, Smartphone or Tablet
What is CINEFAN ?
It is an A to Z of classic and contemporary movies from all over the world, although the majority comes from American and European cinemas.
It contains over 12.200 films of all genres and country, among which over 1890 westerns, 1500 thrillers, films noirs, detective stories, etc., from the Silent Era till today, among which more than 
- 8200 from the USA, 
- 2700 from France, 
- 1000 from UK, 
- 900 from Italy, 
- 300 from Germany, 
- 90 from Japan, 
- 90 from Greece, 
and so on...
You can download it and use it offline on your PC, Mac, Smartphone, Tablet, iPhone, iPod, iPad or PDA.
 It is presented as a shareware. 
Buy the Complete Cinefan International Film Database
The creation of such a database has taken, as one might imagine, a lot of work over the years, often enjoyable, sometimes fastidious.
Cinefan is a shareware. It costs 15 € (Euros).
Anyone interested in my complete film database may order/buy it through PayPal at this address : 						<p.vernay@free.fr>
After receiving your payment, I will then send you the complete and latest version of my database (in compacted zip form) through download or E-mail (don't forget to give me the right address when you pass me the order).  
You will also have to specify in which format you want the film database : 
- .TXT (for Macs, PCs), 
- .XLS (for Mac, PC, smartphone, Tablet), to open with a spreadsheet application, like Excel
- all ready in FileMaker format (for Macs or PCs) with, as a free bonus, a special layout.

Its rights are reserved : Copyright © 2001 Pierre VERNAY

CINEFAN is an ideal and unique reference guide and tool for the amateur, the self-respecting cinema enthusiast, 
the student or the researcher, and also the DVD collector who wants to build up a DVD library from scratch.
You can of course add any new movie you see and your personal comments at will.

The version distributed here is not a trial version, but a subset of the complete international movie database. 
In fact it is the first third of the film database, presenting Directors from A (ABBOTT George) to B (BUZZELL Edward)  only. Those interested in the complete version, from A to Z, should read the chapter "Registration".

It can be used on any type of computer (Mac and PC, smartphone or tablet, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, PDA, etc.), as long as you have a spreadsheet software (Excel for instance) or a Database software (Access, FileMaker, etc).

History and statistics of the Classic films Database
I began my work in 1997, and released :
- Version 1 of CINEPHIL in October 98, 
- Version 4.1, in March 2003. A minor update, made mainly to "commemorate" the creation of LEWESTERN database and site. Update of the CINEFAN site.
- Version 5, in February 2006. Large enrichment for some films which lacked basic informations. Creation of the FILMNOIR database and site.
- this Version 8 of Cinefan, in January 2021. Another large enrichment for all films and numerous corrections.

A few opinions from enthousiastic users of the Cinefan movie database (some are translated from the French):
- "Hi Mr. Vernay, "Hats off"! I really love your database."
- "I take my hat off to you for this huge work" 
- "Congratulations for the job you've done. Such a database is a dream come true for an amateur like me"
- "I thought your database was quite adapted to be used as a first rate "dvdtheque"
- "Bravo" for the colossal work you've done"
- "Congratulations for your work"
- "Big thanks for your admirable work"
- "Your database is quite complete and clearly indicates a huge work ! Congratulations for this incredible work".
- "Thank you for the follow-up. Great customer service".
Remember : CINEFAN has won the French Psion Club contest for year 2000, in the database category.
Download the demo version of the movie database for Your Computer
For Mac, PC, and for iPhone, PDAs, smartphones, Tablets. In text or in datasheet format (.xls), to be used with a database program or a spre datasheet program (e. g. Excel)
For Mac, PC, or iPhone To open directly with FileMaker
For Mac or PC, in Datasheet format (xls) To open directly with Excel
For any version of the classic movies database you have downloaded, please do not forget to go to the installation page. Otherwise, once the movie database has expanded, you will find yourself with a rough text, without much interest if you don't import it in a Datasheet (Excel, for instance) or a database program (FileMaker, for instance).

Install the Movie Database and DVD catalog on your PC, iPhone, iPad or iPod

You should have found the movie database in a zip-compressed format.  The movie database is delivered in .txt (database), .xls (Excel or the free Base software from OpenOffice.org) or FileMaker (database) format.
- The .TXT format is an easily importable one, while precising 'Tabulation" in the option menu.  This format can easily be imported in a newly created sheet in any basic Datasheet program (Excel for instance) or in a new file created with a Database program (FileMaker, Access, or the free Base software from OpenOffice.org, etc.).
- The .xls format opens directly with Excel or Base.
- If you already have the FileMaker software, you can download the demo version of the CINEFAN movie database directly in the FileMaker (V.12) format.
- Those who do not have this FileMaker software can download a trial version of the latest FileMaker V.12 for Mac or PC (Mac OSX , and Windows 2000 & XP) on the FileMaker site. 
- When you have the software installed, "open" my FileMaker Template (V.12) (expanded of course with the appropriate utility). 
 - then "Import" my CINEFAN.TXT file (also expanded), specifying Tab format, 
- or download the demo version of CINEFAN directly in the FileMaker (V.12) format.
Here you are... enjoy, and adapt it to your needs and tastes. 
For those who can't use my FileMaker (V.12) template, here is a list of fields to create :
- Original Title :
- French Title :
- Director :
- Year :
- Format :
- Country :
- Colour :
- Duration :
- Seen * times :
- Production :
- Genre  :
- Actors :
- Actresses :
- Appreciation :
- Scenario :
- Based on :
- Cinematographer :
- Musical score :
How to instal the CINEFAN Film Database on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
For the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you now have Bento software for iPhone and iPod Touch, which handles any databaseHere is a vue of the CINEFAN Classic film Database with Bento, to be used on iPhone or iPod TouchHow to install the CINEFAN Classic Movies Database on a PDA
On a PDA, you generally get a database program which handles the "Contacts".  You can import the TXT version of CINEFAN in it.
Rights of use of the Classic Movies database
The complete CINEFAN Classic Movies database may not be distributed freely or used for commercial purposes, as its rights are reserved and protected by literary and artistic property rights (copyright, neighbouring rights, database producers' rights) or any other applicable law. Any use of the Database other than explicitly authorized under these terms or applicable law is prohibited. 

An "enhanced" form of these Databases, derived from a buyer and augmented by its own choice of films, will also not be freely distributed, as it contains the original CINÉPHIL database.
On the other hand, the first segment of the Database, i.e. the "Demo" part of the Base (Directors from A to B), can be freely distributed "online" or as a compilation on all existing or future media, technical processes and formats; this to the express condition that the Base has not been transformed in any way. But the above rights include the right to make the technically necessary changes to the exercise of rights in other technical formats and processes. 
The User of the "Demo" portion of the Database (Directors from A to B), as well as the Buyer of the Full Database, must permanently keep in the database the files numbered 1 & 2 (Cinefan file and Cinephil file) bearing the author's name (Pierre VERNAY), his internet addresses, the presentation and the price of the Database, and the Rights of Use, and must keep intact all information that refers to the Rights of the Database. The User of the "Demo" part as well as that of the Full Database cannot cede the rights of the Database.

The user of the "Demo" portion, which is free to access, such as the Buyer of the Full Version of the Database, cannot reproduce, distribute, represent or communicate the demo portion to the public, including digitally, using a technical measure of access control or usage control.

Its purchase can only be intended for individual, personal, non-distributable, non-transferable and non-commercial use.

Individuals, companies (e.g. site publishers) or organizations wishing to purchase CINÉPHIL for commercial or promotional use will have to pass a licensing agreement with the author for the intended use and should contact me (<p.vernay@free.fr>) for a special license contract.

The same rules apply to the 2 different subsets of the Cinefan database : WESTERNS database and FILMNOIR database.

Updates to come will be sent automatically to all registered users, and announced here, on my personal site at <http://cinephil.cinefan.free.fr>
This classic films database not being a program technically speaking, should not in any manner affect the running of your machine. It is however obvious that, as the usual formula goes, I cannot guarantee any hardware or software trouble that it might cause (highly improbable !!!).
This classic movie database is also distributed in French under the name CINEPHIL, since "Cinéphile" means "Movie fan". In its present and future states, my database does not attempt to be a complete or universal reference (none exists !), but I have tried to include every film which seemed likely or worthy to be remembered by the keen filmgoer or student.
This film database does contain a number of errors (typing, spelling and probably incorrect names), and it is far from being complete for some films. Now is a it's up to you to use it in whichever way you choose.
There remains the problem of my personal findings (for those who are interested in translating them from the French original, of course...), which will undeniably annoy some readers, and be paradoxical to others... You must understand that, having made it for my own personal use, it is more than anything a mirror of my own analyses, evolving over the years, and it satisfies my criteria only. It is up to you to eliminate whatever bothers you. One must also understand that it is the result of a "cinéphilie" of over 50 years, and that my "critical filter" has had largely the time (and the need) to narrow, by viewing lots of good and bad movies (a necessary discomfort), and by watching again many of the good ones... as well as the bad. 
All of this is to explain the sometimes surprising differences between my first time appreciation and the next, and to recognize that my appreciation "Bon" ("Good") often encountered in the database, hasn't much in common with my present vision : most of the time it would be replaced by a definite "Very poor" for "Bon" or by "Appalling" for "Bon-"... and if I haven't made this adjustment, it is due to incertitude, laziness or leniency...

Links

Sites dealing with the Cinema :
- Internet Movie Database : many films, true ! but you can't download the film database and play around yourPC like you can with... "CINEFAN"!!! 
- All Movie Guide : about as many films as on the IMDB site, but you still can't download the movie catalog and play around with it on your PC like you can with... but I'm repeating myself !!! 
- American Movie Classic 
- The Movie sound page 
- The Movies on line, interesting ressources for the amateur. 
Some interesting personal sites (in French only, or in French and English) :
- LEWESTERN  (http://www.lewestern.com/ ): my second site (in English and French) related to the Cinema. Westerns presents a subset of my Cinefan film database, exclusively dedicated to the genre I love the most, with some rare and beautiful movie stills and posters, plus some evocative slideshows. Very useful if you want to build up a DVD collection.
- FILMNOIR (http://filmnoirandco.free.fr/ ) :  my third site about the movies (in English and French), this one dedicated to the film noir, thriller, detective or gangster film genres, etc. FilmNoir is also a subset of my CINEFAN classic movie database, and presents some evocative slideshows, movie stills and posters.
- Fantastic club 
- Bofilm's: news about musical scores. More than 300 scores to listen to, plus a radio, a Wap site, and 3 Web channels : Bofilm's, Bofilm's Ecoute and Bofilm's Clip. 
- CaHieR Du FiLMoGRaPHe : a personal site dedicated to filmography.  
- Notre cinéma : interesting and rich participating site  
- Passion-Cinema 
CINEFAN, the offline Classic Movie database for the moviegoer : documentation
Encyclopedia on computer :
- Hallywell Film Guide on CD-ROM : the only one that I know, and used occasionally in its paper form (now out of print). 
- All Movie Guide, on CD-ROM, from Corel. Contact the classic movie database
You can contact me here
<p.vernay@free.fr>
Warning : this site is a private one. Movie stills and posters presented here come from my personal collection, or from uncontrolled sources. If some of them are used in an inappropriate manner, please tell me so that I can take the appropriate